Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi [歌川 國芳] (Japanese, 1798 – 1861).

Publisher: Izuzen (fl. c. 1800s – 1840s) (Marks 06-029|U103b).

Signed: Ichiyosai Kuniyoshi ga in a red cartouche and sealed with paulownia crest (kiri mon).

Double nanushi censor seals: Fuku & Muramatsu, 1849-51 (Kaei 2 – Kaei 4).

Young woman in front of the western-style framed portrait of Soga Tokimune, who is depicted after having his kusazuri ripped off by Asahina Saburō. The series of fan prints A Collection of Pictures in Modern Style [今様額面合] (Imayô gakumen awase) can be found at Kuniyoshi Project.

Soga Tokimune, a.k.a. Soga no Gorō [曾我時致] (Japanese, 1174 – 1193), a historical figure and a character of an epic tale Soga Monogatari [曽我物語] (A Tale of Soga Brothers).

Asahina Saburō [朝比奈 三朗], a.k.a. Asahina Yoshihide [朝比奈 義秀] is also mentioned in the Soga Monogatari.

Kusazuri [草摺] (くさずり) – tassets on a suit of a samurai’s armour.

Another Kuniyoshi’s print with the same characters: Goro Tokimune and Asahina Saburo; Series: The Tale of Soga Brothers; Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō; Date: 1843-1845; Size: Vertical Ōban: 359 x 245 mm.