Ichikawa Yonezō as the Ghost of Oiwa

Enjaku 猿雀 Japanese

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The ghost story of Oiwa is based on actual events related in the Ghost Story in Yotsuya on the Tōkaidō Road (Tōkaidō Yotsuya kaidan), which was turned into a popular Kabuki play by Tsuruya Nanboku (1755–1829). Iemon, a masterless samurai, wed Oiwa, a daughter of a warrior family that was hoping to have a male heir to help preserve their family name. After marrying, Iemon poisoned his wife and was haunted by her vengeful spirit.

Ichikawa Yonezō as the Ghost of Oiwa, Enjaku 猿雀 (Japanese, active ca. 1850–70), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical chūban, Japan

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