Toyohara Kunichika (豊原国周) (artist 1835 – 1900)
Ichikawa Udanji I (市川右團次) on the right and Sawamura Tanosuke III (沢村田之助) on the left as Kiyohime (清姫)
02/1869
19.25 in x 13.825 in (Overall dimensions) Signed: Kunichika hitsu (国周筆)
Publisher: Tsunokuniya Isaburō
(Marks 552 - seal 21-188)
Carver: Hori Chō
Date seal: 2/1869
Shizuoka Prefectural Central Library - whole triptych Christopher Knight in writing a review of a Kōkei exhibition in the LA Times said: "...Kiyohime, a jealous young beauty from Japanese folklore. She pursued an unfaithful lover, who was escaping by boat, by swimming across a raging river and transforming herself into a deadly serpent."
John Fiorillo gave another summary of the Kiyohime affair: "A handsome traveling priest named Anchin fell in love with the beautiful princess, but soon broke off the liaison. Enraged, she pursued him to the edge of the Hidaka River. When Anchin escaped in a boat, Kiyohime jumped into the river and transformed into a large serpent (or dragon). Anchin ran into the Dôjô Temple, where he hid under a bell. The serpent Kiyomine coiled herself around it, then breathed a fire so intense that it melted the bell and killed Anchin."
Tsunokuniya Isaburō (津國屋伊三郎) (publisher)
Sawamura Tanosuke III (三代目沢村田之助: 1/1859 to July, 1878) (actor)
actor prints (yakusha-e - 役者絵) (genre)
Yūrei-zu (幽霊図 - ghosts demons monsters and spirits) (genre)
Meiji era (明治時代: 1868-1912) (genre)
Ichikawa Udanji I (初代市川右団次: 8/1862 to 12/1908) (actor)
Katada Chōjirō (片田長次郎) (carver)