Nakamura Utaemon III as Ono no Komachi Invoking the Rain (Amagoi Komachi)

Nakamura Utaemon III (1778–1838) was a star of the Ōsaka theatre and gave guest performances in Edo in 1808–1812, 1814–1815 and 1817–1819. To perform in the Nakamuraza Theatre in Edo in the 4th month of 1815, he wrote a play called “Nine Transformations of the Blossom of Love in the Colours of the Four Seasons” (Sono kokonoe saishiki zakura), which is mentioned at the head of the print. He displayed the art of quick transformations in the play. (See Helena Honcoopová, Kunisada, Praha 2005, p. 119)