The Sanbasō is the title of a performance originally from Noh and Kyogen plays. It was often performed at the start of a new year or kabuki season as a "lucky dance."

This particular print, originally produced around the 1760s, depicts two characters, Okina in the right and Senzai in the left. Senzai (representing a young man usually depicted as possessing eternal youth) presenting a large box containing a mask to the okina (old man) – in this image, depicted as a beautiful lady. In the original play, the okina, putting on the mask, prays for fertility and a good harvest as Sanbasō which means the third performer.

Both characters wear kimono decorated with cranes, turtles, fans, plum flowers, and paulownia, symbols that are likely used here simply as auspicious symbols.

The poem reads "Hatsu-koi ya sa araba Fumi wo mairasen 初恋や さあらば文を まいらせん" ; "hatsukoi" means first love, "fumi" means letter, and "mairasen" presumably means 'will write'.