Antique Japanese woodblock print in triptych by the artist Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864) depicting a scene from the Kabuki play "Koharu no Mitsugumi Sakazuki". Here, the outlaw murdurer, Shirai Gonpachi (left) is challenged by the famous otokodate (dashing hero), Banzui Chobei (center and with his traditional brown and white plaid fabric).
Kunisada was born to a family that owned a ferry boat service allowing him the time and money to devote to art. At an early age, he impressed the...
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