Kunichika: Jiraiya Triptych with Tattooed Magician and Waterfall (Sold)

  • Sold.

Artist: Toyohara Kunichika
Title: Jiraiya Triptych with Tattooed Magician and Waterfall  
Date: 1885

Mitate Kijutsu-kurabe. On the right we see Yûfu-Tsunade 勇婦綱手, a lady sorceress/magician, the wife of the character in the left panel, played by [4th-generation] Suketakaya Takasuke [4代目] 助高屋高助. 
In the center we see Namekuji-doujin 蛞蝓道人 (or could be dounin; "namekuji" is a garden slug, and "doujin" means an adept, practitioner of the path), played by [9th-generation] Ichikawa Danjûrô [9代目] 市川團十郎.
On the left is the hero Jiraiya 児雷也 , a fictional thief/ninja, like Robin Hood, who uses "frog magic", played by [5th-generation] Onoe Kikugorou [5代目] 尾上菊五郎. The central figure wears leaves on his shoulders and holds an esoteric bell and makes a magical mudra as light rays emanates from his head. He seems to have tattoos on his body that are reminiscent of tribal traditions. In the background is a waterfall, adding to the drama of the work.

Condition: Excellent impression, color and condition. With some notes in sumi and brush in Japanese verso.  
Dimensions: ôban triptych
Signature: Kunichika hitsu

SKU: KCA085