Actors Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as Inuta Kobungo Yasuyori (R) and Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Inukawa Shōsuke Yoshitō (L) 1850

This 1850 woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada depicts actors Ichimura Uzaemon XIII and Ichikawa Kodanji IV portraying characters from the play "Inuta Kobungo." This piece is an example of the *yakusha-e* (actor print) genre popular in Edo-period Japan. The dynamic poses and vibrant colors typical of *ukiyo-e* (pictures of the floating world) are evident in Kunisada's work. The print is a diptych, or two-part print, showcasing the actors in action and offering a glimpse into the world of kabuki theater. *Yakusha-e* prints like this were collected by theater enthusiasts and are a valuable source of information about actors, plays, and the cultural atmosphere of the Edo period.