Ichikawa Yonezō as the Ghost of Oiwa 1865

This 1865 woodblock print by Enjaku 猿雀, titled "Ichikawa Yonezō as the Ghost of Oiwa," depicts the famed kabuki actor Ichikawa Yonezō as the vengeful ghost Oiwa from the popular Japanese play "Yotsuya Kaidan." The print's dramatic use of color and light, particularly the ethereal glow of Oiwa's ghostly form and the single flame in the upper right corner, creates a sense of otherworldly dread and reinforces the play's themes of betrayal, revenge, and the supernatural. The use of kabuki imagery, often associated with dramatic storytelling and performance, highlights the connection between the play, the character, and the artist's creative vision.