Yamatoya (Iwai Hanshiro IV) from the Portraits of Actors Onstage series

In the cartouche in the upper right-hand corner of this print is the title identifying the series to which the design belongs: “Yakusha butai no sugata-e (Portraits of Actors on Stage)” followed by the “house-name” of the actor, “Yamatoya.” The actor is depicted in three-quarter pose facing toward the proper left, while turning his head emphatically over his right shoulder. His costume, for a woman’s role, consists of an outer kimono of purple over inner robes of pink, green, and deep orange-red. The obi (sash) is overprinted in black with a yellow pattern near the loose end. To the proper right of the figure is the signature, “Toyokuni-ga (picture by Toyokuni),” followed by the circular censor’s seal, “kiwame,” and the oblong publisher’s seal, “Sen-ichi han.” The background is printed in plain grey.