The actors Nakamura Shikan IV as Fuwa Banzaemon, Nakamura Fukusuke IV as the Maid, and Kataoka Gado III as Nagoya Sanzaburo 1885

This triptych woodblock print by Toyohara Kunichika from 1885 depicts a scene from a Kabuki play, a form of traditional Japanese theater. The print shows three actors in character: Nakamura Shikan IV as Fuwa Banzaemon, Nakamura Fukusuke IV as the Maid, and Kataoka Gado III as Nagoya Sanzaburo. The setting is a moonlit night, highlighted by the lanterns hanging in the trees, with cherry blossoms falling in the background, a recurring motif in Japanese art signifying ephemerality and the beauty of nature. The artist uses bold colors and dynamic poses to convey the drama and energy of the Kabuki stage, a common theme in ukiyo-e woodblock prints.