The actor Morita Kanya VIII is presented here in the role of the palanquin bearer Uguisu no Jirosaku from the play Katakiuchi Noriaibanashi. The palanquin he carries holds Miyagino, the heroine of the play. The portrait may show Uguisu no Jirosaku in the middle of the dance he performs or simply rubbing his hands gleefully under his coat. The MFA holds an early impression of the portrait.