In the context of this artwork, analyze the Memorialization of the Print details.
Many art historians suggest that the portrait was likely a private commission based on the print's content and the fact that it has no kiwame-in censor seal. The precise reason for the print's production is less clear, however. Some describe it as a New Year's gift from the publisher to friends, others feel it was issued to "celebrate both the New Year and Nishimura Yohachi’s longevity," still others think it was an acknowledgement of Nishimuraya's 71st birthday. It is also possible that it was issued to memorialize the publisher having experienced hatsuyume.
What is fairly universally accepted is that it is a very rare and notable work, being "one of the few ichimai-e [single sheet prints] of the 18th century to feature neither a bijin nor an actor." There is an ukiyo-e genre known as shini-e devoted to memorializing the dead, particularly artists. Alternatively, the nigao-e genre of 'likeness pictures' constitutes portraits—often head-shots—of mainly actors. There is, however, within the universe of Edo era ukiyo-e, no tradition of personal portraiture of non-celebrities as exemplified in this print.
ukiyo-e Nishimura Yohachi shini-e hatsuyume