Japanese Print "Act 9" by Katsushika Hokusai
Artist:Katsushika Hokusai
Title:Act 9
Date:1806
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Source:Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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Description:
The love story between Konami and Rikiya, introduced in act 2 tragically ends in act 9 as depicted in this print. Because Konami's father, Honz�, prevented Enya from killing Moronao, Rikiya's parents are not happy about their relationship. Tonase, Konami's stepmother visits the �boshi family and beg them to allow the marriage between Konami and Rikiya to proceed. Honz�, disguised as an itinerant monk, secretly follows them. Having received a rebuff from Rikiya's mother Oishi, Tonase, out of despair tries to kill herself. Honz� steps in and intentionally provokes Rikiya, causing him to attack with a spear. This print shows Honz� in the center dodging the thrusts from Rikiya's spear with his right hand while stopping his wife's suicide attempt by grabbing her wrist with his left hand. Konami, in a pink kimono, attempts to stop Rikiya from attacking her father by clinging to his waist.
