Comment - Kabuki scene from the "Tale of the Soga Brothers" ("Soga monogatari", "曽我物語")- The younger brother, "Soga Gorô Tokimune" is arguing with a beauty under a blossoming cherry tree. He scowls at her angrily as he tries to take back his woven hat, but the beauty grasps it firmly under her arm with both hands. She wears a green dotted kimono bordered with butterflies, her hair arranged with many hairpins and combs. Gorô wears a green covered Yukata with large butterflies over a red under-robe, his two swords at his side and his hair pulled back into a thick topknot with a bushy end. A blue Edo kite ("Edo-tako", "江戸凧") with white kanji ("ji tako", "字凧") is caught in the tree at left, the two tail strings looped around the branches.

Kabuki star "Ichikawa Ebizo" ("市川海老蔵") appears as "Soga Gorô Tokimune" ("曽我五郎時宗") on the right panel. The left panel show the Kabuki star "Iwai Kakitsubata" ("岩井杜若") in the female role of "Seu" ("せ"). The title of the stage play (Koi sumou wagō Soga koizu mō yawaragi soga, 恋相撲和合曽我 こいずもうやわらぎそが) describes the scene.


Series - ~


Artist - see Biography


Signature - "GoDotei Kunisada-ga" ("五渡亭国貞画") on both panels with seals


Publisher - Kawaguchi-ya Uhei (川口屋卯兵衛)


Image Size - 36.6 X 48.9 cm (14" x 19 1/4")


Condition - diptych, two single panels, maybe part of a triptych; nishiki-e (cloured woodblock); Vertical ôban (ôban tate-e);