The Actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I looking at a guidebook to the pleasure quarters c. 1750

This ukiyo-e woodblock print by Ishikawa Toyonobu, created around 1750, depicts the actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu I studying a guidebook to the pleasure quarters. Sanogawa, a prominent kabuki actor, is shown in a relaxed posture, while two women, possibly geishas, attend to him. The vibrant colors, detailed patterns on the clothing, and depiction of everyday life are hallmarks of the ukiyo-e genre, which flourished in Edo-period Japan. This print, now housed at The Art Institute of Chicago, provides insight into the cultural practices and entertainment of the time.