Kunisada 国貞: The First Plum Blossoms of Spring; Actors Enjoying a Promenade

Nine actors are portrayed on an evening stroll, enjoying their “offstage” time in a garden with a backdrop of ancient plum trees in blossom. Each actor has a somewhat different pose, and each group of three interacts within their group in a unique way. On the left panel, Ichikawa Kuzo II as a young woman trades glances with Ichikawa Kodanji IV and Onoe Baiko IV, who holds a tobacco pipe. The center panel features Iwai Kumesaburo III, Ichikawa Ebizo V in a black kimono, and, Bando Takesaburo I. The right panel shows Bando Hikosaburo IV holding a fan and Sawamura Chojuro V, who is crouching and seems to be about to refill his pipe. He looks up towards Seki S, who is in a female role. This must be something of a fantasy gathering, and served to fulfill the kabuki devotees’ thirst for images of their favorite actors.