Zekkei kana

The title invokes the kabuki line spoken by the bandit Ishikawa Goemon as he surveys cherry blossoms from atop the Sanmon (mountain gate) of Nanzenji temple in the play 'Sanmon Gosan no Kiri.' The print likely depicts Goemon in his recognizable pose — standing on a high vantage in elaborate costume, smoking pipe in hand, declaring 'What a magnificent view!' This tableau has been treated by generations of [ukiyo-e](/glossary/ukiyo-e) artists. The print likely employs the strong keyblock outlining typical of [yakusha-e](/glossary/yakusha-e) (actor prints), with bold color blocks for Goemon's robes and the framework of the gate architecture. Within Takahashi Hiromitsu's apparent body of work in theatrical subjects, this piece connects to a longstanding tradition of capturing mie poses from kabuki performances. The mokuhanga technique allows for the layered registration and color application that distinguish modern interpretations of classic kabuki imagery.