Ageo: Miura no Takao from the series: Sixty-nine Post Stations of the Kisokaido Road, 1852 - 1853

Wonderful image of the kabuki actor Bando Shuka as the courtesan Miura no Takao being weighed against oval gold coins, some stacked and wrapped in paper. The daimyo Yorikane agreed to purchase her contract from the Miura brothel for her weight in gold. She giggles into her kimono sleeve as she sits on the oversize scale, her elegant robes piled up around her. At left, the proprietor and his wife react with surprise, their mouths agape as they watch, waving their hands in concern. More coins are scattered across the floor, and a wooden verandah and rooms lined with shoji panels can be seen behind the figures. A leaf-shaped inset above shows the village of Ageo with rice fields in the distance. A charming and amusing subject, beautifully colored.

14 x 9 5/8

With excellent color and detail. Slightly toned throughout with faint spotting in subject. Minor remnants from previous mounting on reverse. Please see photos for details. Nice overall.