KUNISADA I. Yakusha-e. Kabuki Theater scene. The... Lot 117

KUNISADA I. Yakusha-e. Kabuki Theater scene. The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant. Triptych. Triptych, Ôban tate-e (vertical). 350x735 mm. Sign: "Toyokuni ga," in orange Toshidama cartouches. Publisher: Shimizuya Naojirô. Censors' seal: Fuku, Muramatsu. Oval seal with zodiac date (Rat, 5). Signs of wear. Bright colors. Scene with three characters from the play Jiraiya goketsu monogatari ("The Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant"). Jiraiya goketsu is a traditional Japanese tale that narrates the events of Ogata Shuma Hiroyuki a marauding ninja later known by the name Jiraiya (lett. "Young Thunder" or also "Who Comes on His Own"). The novel was published, between 1839 and 1868, in 43 installments written by different authors; Kunisada handled the illustrations.