Komochi-e (子持絵) or trick pictures are Japanese prints with movable printed paper flaps or other moveable parts. Multicolor komochi-e may be called “komochi nishiki-e” (子持錦絵). Newland, Amy Reigle. (2005), ''Hotei Encyclopedia of Japanese Woodblock Prints'', Amsterdam: Hotei, , Vol. 2, p. 462 This komochi-e shows a single print with the flaps in different positions. It is a scene from the

kabuki is a classical form of Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for its heavily-stylised performances, the often-glamorous costumes worn by performers, and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers. Kabuki is thought to ...

play ''Manete Mimasu yotsuya no kikigaki'' (当三升四谷聞書). The artist is

Utagawa Kuniyoshi Utagawa Kuniyoshi ( ja, 歌川国芳, ; January 1, 1798 – April 14, 1861) was one of the last great masters of the Japanese ukiyo-e style of woodblock prints and painting.Nussbaum, Louis Frédéric ''et al'' (2005). "Kuniyoshi" in He was a ...

; the date is 1848; and it shows actor

Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII was a Japanese kabuki actor of the prestigious Ichikawa Danjūrō line. He was a ''tachiyaku'' (male roles) actor in the ''aragoto'' style, like all members of the lineage, but particularly specialized in the roles of young lovers, for which he ...

in the role of the murderer Tamiya Iemon: Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Tamiya Iemon (Komochi-e)

Footnotes

{{ukiyo-e Ukiyo-e genres