The actor Kataoka Nizaemon Vll as Iyo no Taro in the play "Seiwa Nidai Oyose Genji," performed at the Miyako Theater in the eleventh month, 1796 1796

This woodblock print, created by Utagawa Kunimasa in 1796, depicts the famous kabuki actor Kataoka Nizaemon VII as Iyo no Taro in the play "Seiwa Nidai Oyose Genji." The actor's dramatic pose and intense expression, characteristic of kabuki theater, are captured in vivid detail. This "yakusha-e" (actor print) is a testament to the popularity of kabuki in 18th-century Japan, and showcases Kunimasa's talent in capturing the energy and essence of this beloved art form.