Ichikawa Ebizo as Takemura Sadanoshin

The actor's upper body is painted large, filling the picture. The big face with thick eyebrows is turned slightly aside, with eyes wide open and the mouth set firm. The hands are clasped before the chest, and the collar of the strongly reddish robe shows layers of white and yellow, with a square spiral-like crest on the sleeve. The grayish background has fine grains that glitter.

According to the museum's commentary, this is a scene from "Koinyobo Somewake Tazuna," performed at the Kawarasaki-za in May 1794 (Kansei 6), showing Takemura Sadanoshin, the Noh master who is the protagonist of Dojoji, the climax of the first half. The actor Ichikawa Ebizo was Ichikawa Danjuro V, called the greatest actor of his day.

The large physique, finely cut face, and rich expression using the whole face convey the actor's dignified bearing. The commentary also explains that the lines of the face, collar, and ceremonial costume, and the clasped hands create a rhythmical, stable composition. Sharaku was active for only about ten months from May 1794, and drew attention for a series of 28 bust portraits with mica-dusted backgrounds. The print is 37.6 cm high and 25.2 cm wide.