The characters displayed are Abe Munetori and Hachimantaro Yoshiie, both famous samurai.

"In a snowstorm, the Minamoto assaulted Sadato's stronghold at Kawasaki and were driven back; in the course of the hard-fought retreat Yoshiie distinguished himself and earned the nickname 'Hachimantaro', or 'First son (or First born) of the God of War (Hachiman)'."
From: http://www.samurai-archives.com/HeianPeriod.html

Fine impression with gauffrage, lacquer and hand-applied gofun for the snow.

Inscription in the upper right, and two in the center of the right edge. Seal printed in the lower right border, and two round seals printed in the lower left border. Three panels with text printed in the image above.

Colored ink woodblock print on off-white paper. Oban tate-e.

Color woodblock print depicting a Kabuki actor in the role of Takekawa Masatada protecting a small boy in the snow beneath a pine tree. YOSHIIKU makes reference to the Genji chapter “Takegawa" (Bamboo River) by quoting a verse from the novel, but his illustration depicts a kabuki actor portraying the hero Takegawa MASATADA when he saves the baby Chie. Names of people and places in the 11th century Tale of Genji were often used in 19th century theater performances to link newly written plays to the Japanese classics of literature.

Omiya.

This object has the following keywords:

• 1841-1868
• Actors and Actresses
• Genji
• Kabuki
• Plays and Theatre

This object is a member of the following portfolios: