Comment - Kabuki scene from the play "Chiyo no Haru Tosa-e no Saya-ate" (鶴春土佐画鞘当（ちよのはるとさえのさやあて）staged in the famous Ichimura (市村) theater. The play shows a confrontation between the thief Kojigokutaro and two men in a cave. Each panel has it's own title, naming the appropriate kabuki actor. Left: Nakamura Shikan IV ("名古屋下猿次郎") as Nagoya shita Sarujirô. Center: Bandô Kamezô I  ("盗賊小地獄太郎") as the thief (Tôzoku) Kojigokutarô. Right: Kawarazaki Gonjûrô I ("山三弟名古屋山平") as Sanza's brother Nagoya Sanpei.

In the center, Kojigokutaro scowls angrily as he grabs the end of a sword wrapped in cloth held by Nagoya Sanpei at right. Kojigokutaro is dressed in a striking black robe with golden yellow waves, trimmed with fringe. At right, Sanpei wears a blue outer kimono with an unusual pattern of nine different kites.
The kites include (from top to bottom, cp. numbered details) a bekaku kite (1), a fan kite (2), an octopus kite (3), an edo kaku (4), an Monsho tako (5), a yakko kite (6), a second edo kaku (7), an hawk kite (8), and a third edo kaku (9).

At left, Nagoya shita Sarujiro holds a lantern high as he peers into the darkness. Vines covered with autumn foliage hang from the rocky entrance above. Interesting setting, nicely detailed with burnishing on the black robe.

Series - ~


Artist - see Biography


Signature -Toyokuni ga ("豊国画"), in toshidama cartouche (on each sheet)


Publisher - Itoya Shôbei   ("糸屋 庄兵衛") in white cartouche on every panel;
                  circular censor's seal (改印): torimasa aratame (酉正改) on every panel;
                  rectangular blockcutter's marks (彫師): horikô fuka-chô ("彫工深長", right panel, blueish), hori chô ("彫長", on center and left panels)

Image Size - 35.4 x 73.3 cm (13 15/16" x 28 7/8")


Condition - triptych, three single panels; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); Vertical ôban (ôban tate-e);