The actor Matsumoto Kōshirō IV is presented here as the sakaya ("fishmonger") Gorobei (of Sanya, near the Yoshiwara pleasure district), who helped Miyagino and her sister Shinobu to track down their father's murderer in the kabuki play Katakiuchi Noriaibanashi. Gorobei strikes a thoughtful pose, pondering how best to help the sisters. The MFA holds an early impression of the portrait.