Utagawa KUNIYOSHI
Happy Feast at the Ôe Mountain (Ôeyama fukuju shusei)
1853
Woodblock print
Oban size
Published by Kiya Sojiro, 1853.
Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
 
A triptych showing Shutendoji’s palace on Mount Oyeyama, Oyeyama fukujin shusei. Raiko (Minamoto no Yorimitsu) is charged by the Emperor Murakami with killing the evil Shutendoji who terrorizes the neighbourhood. He and his retainers infiltrate the castle and ply Shutendoji and his ogrish band with sake and dance for them. Eventually Shutendoji is so intoxicated he has to be carried to bed, whereupon Raiko and his followers attack and decapitate him. This is the episode most often depicted with the head flying through the air.
 
Very good impression, colour and condition.