Artist Matahei and Wife in a Garden.

By Toyokuni III/Kunisada (1786 - 1864) .

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Wonderful kabuki scene featuring the artist Matahei and his wife, Otoku, in the "Doma Mata" scene from the play "Keisei Hangonko."

Humiliated by seeing his Tosa master promote a younger student ahead of him, Matahei decides to commit suicide.
His wife urges him to first paint a self portrait on a stone basin in the garden. He dabs the side of his face with a towel, brush still in hand, watching as a cloud begins to emanate from the image.
His wife is equally surprised, her eyes wide as she throws her hand out in alarm. His master sees the portrait, admiring the lifelike work for its great passion and bestowing permission upon Matahei to use the Tosa name.