The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as Yae (?), in the Play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami (?), Performed at the Kiri Theater (?) in the Seventh Month, 1788 (?) c. 1788

This ukiyo-e print by Katsukawa Shun'ei, dating to around 1788, depicts the kabuki actor Iwai Hanshiro IV in a theatrical pose. Hanshiro IV is shown as a female character, likely Yae from the play Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami. The actor is dressed in elaborate garments, including a purple robe and a patterned kimono, and he is holding a small object, possibly a fan, in his hand. The composition is simple and elegant, emphasizing the actor's performance and the decorative elements of the costume. This work showcases the beauty and elegance of the ukiyo-e tradition, offering insight into Japanese theatrical culture of the late Edo period.