Kunichika - Actor Bando Mitsugoro VI as Nezame no Okichi

Kunichika

The title cartouche reads: ‘Kinsei Azuma Kyōkaku’ (近世東侠客), ‘Chivalrous Characters of the East in Recent Times’. Such people were usually men, also called ‘otokodate’, but in this case it’s a woman (‘onnadate’).

The Kabuki actor is Bandō Mitsugorō VI, here seen as ‘Nezame no Okichi’ (六代目坂東三津五郎の寝覚の於吉). The design does not relate to a specific performance. Note the tattoo on her forearm.

Condition: Very good color and impression, not backed, trimmed at top.

Date: November, 1867.