Kunichika - Fudo Myoo Threatening a Novice

Toyoharu Kunichika

A powerful print design called "Meijiza New Kyogen: The Miraculous Scene of Fudo,". It depicts a scene from the kabuki play of the legend of Abbot Yūten, a novice monk who prayed to Fudō Myōō to become a wise cleric. The deity Fudō Myōō (Acala) is a wrathful protector in Japanese Buddhism, known as the "Immovable Wisdom King". Fudō uses his sword of wisdom to cut through ignorance and a lasso to bind violent passions.

In the legend, Fudō appeared in the novice's dream, leaped from his pedestal, and made the novice swallow one of his swords, after which Yūten awoke as an excellent cleric. 
From left, the actors are Ichikawa Danjuro IX, and Ichikawa Kodanji V.

Publisher: Takeemon Akiyama

Condition: Very good color and impression. Print is joined and has tape on the back as shown.

Dimensions: 2 Oban sheets from a triptych (missing the first sheet - the left panel)

Date: 1893

Genre: Ukiyo-e

Medium: Woodblock Print

https://archive.library.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/da/detail?tilcod=0000000003-00052441