This print is the eleventh in the Kabuki Jûhachiban (歌舞伎十八番, "The Eighteen Great Kabuki Plays") series of prints by the artist Kiyotada (also known as Tadakiyo). It depicts actor Ichikawa Danjûrô IX as Yamanoue Gennaizaemon (lower right), with an actor from the past as Suzuka no Ôjj (upper left), in the kabuki play Zôhiki ("Pulling the Elephant"). Zôhiki, also sometimes known as Zôbiki, was originally staged in 1701 at the Nakamura Theatre and starred Ichikawa Danjûrô I. For more information on the play, see this description.

Yamanoue Gennaizaemon grapples with an elephant which has broken loose and snatched a precious mirror of the Toshima Clan, while Prince Suzuka also tries to seize the elephant. The mimasu-mon (three-square crest) of the Ichikawa family of actors appears on Gennaizaemon's robes. The delicate bokashi gradation visible in the eyes of both characters is a highlight, as is the detailed karazuri blind-embossing in the background. The print is similar to this earlier print by Utagawa Kunisada.