Nakamura Shikan as Honcho-Maru Tsunagoro (中村芝翫 本町丸綱五郎)

Honcho-Maru Tsunagoro(本町丸綱五郎) is a character from Japanese kabuki theatre, and this print, created by Utagawa Kunisada(歌川国貞) in 1830, depicts the character in his distinctive costume with an exaggerated gesture and posture. The man is shown wearing a blue and white robe with a brown printed sash that reveals a flash of red undergarments with delicate patterns and shapes that draw the viewer's eye towards the character's face. The bare-armed and bare-legged figure wears geta (下駄, Japanese toe-peg sandals) on his feet and holds an umbrella and handkerchief. The umbrella's handle, or ferrule, is shown with intricate lines that add to the print's depth and texture, while the handkerchief's folds and creases are rendered with remarkable accuracy. The character stands before a vibrant red screen, creating a striking contrast against the blue and white of his robe. This print is an example of the vibrant colours and intricate designs that characterize kabuki theatre and a testament to Kunisada's skill as a printmaker. The inscriptions on the prints on the print indicate artist's signature, which is located in the lower left corner, 'Gototei Kunisada ga(五渡亭国貞画, Drawn by Gototei Kunisada)'. 'Kiwame(極, the censorship seal)' located in the upper right corner of the print, indicates that the work was approved by the authorities for public circulation.