Sanjo Kantaro II in the Role of Urashima Taro

Sanjo Kantaro II was a Kabuki actor who specialized in playing youths ( wakashu ) and female roles ( onnagata ). He is shown here in the role of Urashima Taro. He rescues a tortoise, and as a reward, the tortoise carries him to the undersea palace of the Dragon King. He believes he has spent but three days there with the Dragon King's daughter; however, when he returns to the shore, he finds 300 years have passed. The actor holds a fishing pole, indicating his occupation as a fisherman. The upper portion of the painting contains a 31-syllable waka poem. Fisa demonstrativa, nu obiect aflat in patrimoniul acestui muzeu. Sursa: https://clevelandart.org/art/1961.41