Yoshitoshi: Ichikawa Kodanji in the Rain With Sword in his Teeth

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892)
Title: Ichikawa Kodanji in the Rain as Torii Matasuke
Date: 1860

Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Torii Matasuke. The waves of his hair contrast with the boldly depicted sheets of rain that form a curtain around his dramatic countenance. The curtain parts to reveal the actor clenching a sword between his teeth, his eyes fixed in the mie dramatic pose. From the play Kagamiyama gonichi no Iwafuji. Matasuke plays a faithful servant who is about to commit a terrible crime on the orders of his master, Lord Toga. A fantastic and rare early design, created when Yoshitoshi was only about 20 years old. With luxurious mica added to the sword blade.

Condition: Excellent impression; very good color and condition. Small nibbles upper right and minor trimming at left.
Dimensions: ôban 36 x 24.7 cm
Publisher: Kadokin
Literature: Keyes 17. See Beauty & Violence, number 2, page 32.
Signature: Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu

SKU: YOT843