Men's Nagajuban with Kabuki Actors

Men's under-kimono (nagajuban) with a decoration on the upper half of the back panels consisting of four partially overlapping rectangular images: two of actors in checkered kimonos, one with a cloth around his head, the other with paper strips bearing text; two broad horizontal bands with large and small block patterns. The actor with the headcloth is 'Kirare Yosa' ('Yosa with the cuts'), with two scars from knife wounds on his chest; the other is 'Komori Yasu' ('Yasu the Bat'), named after the tattooed bat on his cheek (not visible here). Both men are accomplices in the crime in the kabuki play 'Yo wa nasaki ukina no yokogushi'. The paper strips are likely visiting cards of sponsors. On the left back panel: three black family crests (mon) of the actors Nakamura Shikan, Morita Kanya, and Ichikawa Sadanji; on the front of the right sleeve: two family crests, of Ichikawa Sadanji and Jitsukawa Ensaburo. Grey crepe silk (chirimen) with stencilled yuzen decoration. Lining of white silk.