The Actor Sawamura Sojuro II (formerly Utagawa Shirogoro) as Matsuomaru and Azumo Tozo I as Sakuramaru in the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami," performed at the Morita Theater, 1750 1750

This ukiyo-e print by Ishikawa Toyonobu depicts two famous kabuki actors, Sawamura Sojuro II and Azumo Tozo I, in the play "Sugawara Denju Tenarai Kagami," performed at the Morita Theater in 1750. The print is a vivid representation of kabuki theater, a popular form of Japanese entertainment during the Edo period. The actors are shown in elaborate costumes, with Sojuro holding a large fan and Tozo wielding a sword. This work captures the dynamism and theatricality of kabuki performances, showcasing the skill and artistry of both the actors and the printmaker. The detailed rendering of the costumes and the expressive faces of the actors bring the scene to life for the viewer, highlighting the importance of kabuki theater in Edo-period culture.