https://collections.mfa.org/objects/486795 This is an authentic Japanese woodblock print triptych by the celebrated master Utagawa Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada). The scene depicts one of the most famous and dramatic moments in Japanese folklore and Kabuki: the execution of the legendary outlaw hero, Ishikawa Goemon. In the center panel, Goemon is depicted with a powerful expression, standing in the large iron cauldron amidst rising flames. Unlike other depictions where he holds his son aloft, in this specific composition, he is shown heroically clutching his young son, Goroichi, to his chest to protect him from the boiling heat. The flanking panels feature dramatic Kabuki actors Iwakiba Hyonoshin and Iwakiba Sauma, set against a dark background of bamboo fences and swirling smoke. Condition: The condition is excellent for its age. The three sheets are separate and have not been pasted together. The prints are unbacked (no paper reinforcement on the reverse), maintaining their original state. Colors remain vibrant with fine details in the textile patterns and facial expressions. (Please refer to the photos for further details.) Summary: A powerful and iconic subject by the most popular artist of the late Edo period. This triptych is a fantastic example of Utagawa school artistry, preserved in beautiful, unmounted condition.