Kunisada: The Ghost of Koheiji Umbrella Triptych

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865)
Title: The Ghost of Koheiji Umbrella triptych
Date: 1859

Iwai Kumesaburo II as Koheiji’s Wife Otsuka, middle, who kneels and brandishes her umbrella towards a ghostly red flame, which floats in front of  Seki Sanjuro II as Adachi Sakuro, left. In the middle is Ichikawa Kodanji IV as the Ghost of Koheiji, rising in front of a pillar and looking hauntingly towards the two. Based somewhat on true-ish events from about 1700, the sad story of Koheiji was made into a kabuki play in 1803. Koheiji was married to Otsuka, but she began an affair with Adachi Sakuro, a taiko player. The two plotted to murder Koheiji so that they could be together. After the murder, Koheiji haunts the couple until both of them succumb to madness and their own terrible demise.

Condition: Excellent impression and color. Very good condition. With faint discoloration on parts of the ghost.
Dimensions: ôban triptych (36 x 74.4 cm)
Signature: Toyokuni ga

SKU: KUS489