"Sakata Hangorō III as Kosodate Kan'nonbō and Ichikawa Yaozō III as Huwa Banzaemon"

This picture depicts actors who appeared in the kabuki play 'Keisei Sambōgasa' at the Toshaza Theater in July of the sixth year of Kansei. There is no other work that conveys the unique beauty of kabuki poses as this one does. It captures the ephemeral beauty of the kabuki stage. Sharaku establishes the beauty of their poses through the intertwining shapes of 'ku' and 'he,' representing Hangorō and Yaozō respectively. The harmony of their poses, entwined firmly by Yaozō's sword, creates a harmonious beauty.
The color scheme contrasts Hangorō's simple monochrome with Yaozō's complex colors, enhancing the beauty of the picture. Sharaku's meticulous attention to color is evident here. Among the large-format two-person works of the second period, this piece stands out as a masterpiece that vividly embodies artistic beauty.
Furthermore, the patterns on Banzaemon's attire, depicting clouds, have been a traditional motif in kabuki since the days of the Nagoya kyōgen.