Six actors dreaming of their roles, from the series "Spring Plays of 1804: The Pillow of Kontan (Koshi haru kyogen kontan no makura)" 1804

This woodblock print by Utagawa Toyokuni I, created in 1804, depicts four actors, each dreaming about their respective roles in the kabuki play “Spring Plays of 1804: The Pillow of Kontan”. The print was part of a series, and shows a common theme of the time, which is the portrayal of actors imagining their roles. This print is characteristic of ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world) prints which frequently depicted popular kabuki actors. The use of vibrant colors and detailed lines, especially in the actors’ costumes, is typical of Toyokuni’s style.