Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825)
Iwai Hanshirô in the role of Osome, daughter of the sushi shop owner Yazaemon (right) and her fiancé Yasuke, played by Bandô Mitsugorô (left). Behind them a screen with birds in the red autumn maple.
A depiction of the famous sushiya scene in the 3rd act of the famous Kabuki play "Yoshitsune Senbon Zakura" (Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees).
Signature: Toyokuni ga
Censor: Muraji (Murataya Jirôbei)
Publisher: Noda Shichibei (Hakuyôdô), Edo
Date: 1811, 9th month
Size: Oban diptych, 38 x 50,5 cm
Excellent impression in perfect, fresh colours. Unbacked and untrimmed, two separate sheets. Inner margins with some small binding holes (partly filled), two small wormholes. Minimal staining and soiling. Overall excellent condition of this rare diptych.
Only one other copy in the collection of the Waseda University Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum, No. 100-4425 and 100-4426.
sold