The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII (1791-1859) in the role of Inuyama Dousetsu Tadamoto

Kunisada was one of the most prolific Japanese print artists of the nineteenth century. Although he dealt with a range of subjects, he is best known for his prints depicting the vibrant theater culture of Edo. Adopted by the print master Utagawa Toyokuni (1769—1825), Kunisada quickly rose to the head of the Utagawa School, assuming his master’s name of Toyokuni III in 1844.

This print is from a series based on the Kabuki play titled Nansou Satomi Hekkenden, a stage adaptation of the novel by Bakin (1767—1848). In this famous Kabuki play, eight sons are born to a princess and the sacred dog she has married. Each of the brothers represents one of the eight Confucian virtues and carries a magical charm that embodies his virtue.

The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII (1791—1859), which is shown as one of the eight dog warriors, was one of the most popular nineteenth-century Kabuki actors. He made his stage debut at the age of four and went on to astonish the public with his theatrical versatility. He was particularly noted for his portrayal of audacious young heroes in the "rough-stuff" (aragoto) acting style established by the Ichikawa lineage.