unsigned; light inscription on the reverse.

19th century.

Arno Ziesnitz, Springfield VA

Length: 6 cm.

This mixed metal kanamono bears a scene from the Kyogen comic interlude Suehirogari. from the Kyogen album Kyogenga taikan.

Taro-kaja, on the right, was sent by his lord to purchase an expensive folding fan but, falling foul of a conman, dimwittedly purchased an umbrella instead. The lord, unsurprisingly, is not pleased with the simple umbrella that has cost him so much.

Given that the figure on the left, in the kimono decorated with turnips, is holding a folding fan, it’s unclear whether the actor is playing the conman hiding a fan he has or the lord showing his underling what folding fan actually looks like.