Utagawa Toyokuni III

Oban tate e, part of a triptych, the actor Kawarazki Gonjuro in the role of Arajishi Otokonosuke knocking down a rat.
Signed Kochoro Toyokuni ga.
Dim. 37 x 25.5 cm.
Main character in the play Meiboku Sendai Hagi, (the disputed succession) Arajishi Otokonosuke is represented here in Act IV, putting his foot on his enemy Nikki Danjo who has taken the form of a large rat, and trying to knock him out with his iron fan.