Baigoro Kunisada II (Toyokuni IV). 1823-1880.
Shiga Danshichi. c. 1843-45. Vertical oban: center sheet of a musha-e triptych. Publisher: Fujiokaya Keijiro. Censor seal: Watari. Signed Ichijusai Kunimasa ga. Elegantly housed in a grey silk mat and a black-and-gold frame. $325.
The complete triptych doubtless shows the courtesan, Miyagino, and her younger sister, Shinobu, battling with their father's murderer, Shiga Danshichi. The two women swore to avenge his death, and after secretly training in the martial arts, challenged Shiga to a duel. In the complete triptych, they are shown here fighting Shiga Danshichi in the courtyard of an elegant mansion, with samurai and nobleman gathered to watch. Scowling, Shiga lunges forward, gripping his weapon above his head with both hands. The heroic women succeeded in killing Shiga. The subject was extremely popular, and exists in several triptychs by various artists.