The Actor Sakata Hangoro III as the Guard Yahazu no Yadahei in the Play Otokoyama O-Edo no Ishizue, Performed at the Kiri Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1794 c. 1794

This "ukiyo-e" woodblock print by Katsukawa Shun'en, created around 1794, depicts the actor Sakata Hangoro III as the character Yahazu no Yadahei from the kabuki play "Otokoyama O-Edo no Ishizue". The print, now in the Art Institute of Chicago, showcases a single figure in elaborate clothing, standing in a natural setting. The detailed rendering of the actor's costume and facial expression captures the essence of kabuki theater, a popular form of Japanese entertainment during the Edo period. This "yakusha-e" (actor print) serves as a visual documentation of a specific performance, highlighting the artistry and popularity of kabuki actors.