In this artwork, how is the Image of the Ichikawa Omezō as a Pilgrim and Ichikawa Yaozō as a Samurai elucidated?
In this print, Toyokuni depicts a tableau of two of the most popular kabuki actors of the day in a scene from an unidentified play. The character in the foreground is a samurai. He wears waraji straw sandals, a casual black eboshi cap, and a two-piece kamishimo under a black haori coat. The handles of his two swords peak out behind him on the left, the customary position. His red kumadori makeup is typical of main characters, signifying "bravado and a forceful personality." Hanging down over his right knee is a handful of wheat or rice stalks, which are presumably an element of the drama.
The standing figure is in typical pilgrim or travelling priest garb: waraji, a grey robe, and light-coloured leggings and arm covers. In addition, he wears a gong around his waist and carries a shakujō (錫杖) pilgrim's staff. Behind him, the body and straps of a portable shrine are just visible. Heroes and their foes disguising themselves as pilgrims is a popular kabuki motif. The character's aggressive pose—right arm removed from his robe, menacing facial expression—indicates that he is likely not a benign pilgrim.
samurai haori kumadori kabuki waraji kamishimo left swords