Kuniyoshi: The Ghost of Oiwa (Sold)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi
Title: The Ghost of Oiwa
Date: 1836

The actors Ichakawa Ebizo V as Tamiya Iemon and Onoe Kikugoro II as the Ghost of Oiwa. Scarce diptych of a scene from Japan’s most famous ghost story. Here we see Iemon in the isolated mountain retreat of Snake Mountain where he has escaped to after a string of nefarious deeds, including murder. Oiwa was his wife in life, and before her death she became disfigured by a poison, so she is always portrayed with a hideous, drooping eye. She has emerged from a haunted lantern to continue to torment Iemon, who has murdered her father. A scarce design that is often shown as only the left sheet. As wikipedia says: “Yotsuya Kaidan, the story of Oiwa and Tamiya Iemon, is a tale of betrayal, murder, and ghostly revenge. Arguably the most famous Japanese ghost story of all time, it has been adapted for film over 30 times, and continues to be an influence on Japanese horror today. Written in 1825 by Tsuruya Nanboku IV as a kabuki play, the original title was Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan (Ghost Story of Yotsuya in Tokaido). It is now generally shortened, and loosely translates as "Ghost Story of Yotsuya.” The left half of this triptych is shown on the wikipedia entry page.

Condition: Very good impression, color and condition.
Dimensions: ôban diptych
Publisher: Kawaguchiya Chôzô
Literature: http://kuniyoshiproject.com/Actor%20triptychs%201836.htm
Signature: Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga

SKU: KUY475