Comment - The benizuri-e print shows the portrait of the Actor Otani Oniji in the role of Asahina. He is holding a small Edo Kaku kite with his right hand, the kite is simply bridled with three lines and two tails. The kite line flows down his on his right vestment. The Edo kaku bears the crane crest of Asahina, four additional crests are symmetrically applied on his armour vestment. The title of the print is displayed next to the raised sword.

The actor Otani Oniji [II] is displayed in a typical exaggerated kabuki aragoto style, showing a scene of the kabuki stage play of Soga Monogatari. Asahina holds his raised sword in his left hand, an error that is possibly due to Kiyotsune's picture divison. Otani Oniji-II (二世大谷鬼次, 1746–1802) was a disciple of Otani Oniji-I, both have been stars of the Maruya Theatre. The Maruya theatre's Maruju crest (Maru ni Jūmonji mon) is  to be seen beneath  Asahinas right chin. The logo crest is to be identified by the kanji character "ten" (+) in a circle (O) (red and black). The 'tsuba' (handle base fitting) of the sword also shows the Maruju crest. The crest in red and black (circle) on his left upper garment sleeve contains the kanji character 'three'. Three devilish looking small horned heads on his upper garment may be another allusion.

Series - none


Artist - see Biography


Signature - "Torii Kiyotsune hitsu" (鳥居清経筆; "painted by Torii Kiyotsune") center right


Publisher -  Yamashiro (山舎城) with address above seal at lower left


Image Size - 30.5 x 14 cm (12" x 5 1/2 ")


Condition - single panel; benzuri-e (cloured woodblock); hosoban (細判) or 'narrow' ;