The Actors Ichimura Takenojo IV and Ogino Isaburo I as firewood peddlers in the play "Niwatori Oshu Genji," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the first month, 1726 1726

Hanekawa Wagen created this woodblock print in 1726, depicting actors in a Kabuki play. The composition is dominated by the figures of two actors and a bull, arranged vertically against a neutral background, and the cherry blossom branch arching across the top. Note how Wagen uses line and color to define form. The actors' robes, adorned with intricate patterns, contrast with the solid black of one actor's kimono, creating a visual hierarchy. The textures, achieved through the woodblock technique, add depth, contrasting the smooth faces of the actors with the detailed patterns of their attire. The bull is rendered with simple lines which evoke its form. The print functions as a sign—a visual encoding of cultural values, theatrical representation, and social status. Its composition and the interplay of forms serve not only an aesthetic purpose but also invite us to consider the semiotic system at play within the print.