Four-fold Byobu Illustrating the inside of the Ichimura-za Theatre

From the title signboard of Hanabusa Funjin Soga hanging on the pillar that supports the gable roof on the stage, it is considered to be a material showing the performance at Ichimura-za theater of Edo in January of Kyoho 18 (1733). The painter is unknown, but the audience with a heated atmosphere shows the hustle and bustle of the theater as well as the stage, the hanamichi (flowery way), the doma (earthen seats), the sajiki (tiered seating) and other places in the theater. According to the record of The Chronological Table of Kabuki by Ihara Toshiro, Hanabusa Funjin Soga was written by Tsuutsu Jihei, and Soga Goro was played by Ichikawa Danjuro II, therefore, the actor appearing on the stage from the hanamichi with an armor in his hand should be Danjuro.