Signed: Gototei Kunisada ga
五渡亭国貞画
Publisher: Sanoya Kihei
(Marks 446 - seal 25-210)
Censor's seal: kiwame
Related links: Museum of Japanese Art and Technology, Krakow; Lyon Collection - 1837 Hokkei of Utaemon IV as Iwakawa Jirōkichi;
This image is from a kabuki play that may be Sekitori Senryō Nobori or one of the plays closely related to it.
The peony buds decorating the robe of this actor and the open peony on his fan were both personal symbols used by Ichikawa Danjūrō. Most likely the kanji on the fan is a poem by this performer. Another interesting motif is the bats flying near a full moon.