This print is the thirteenth 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 Hanakawado Agemaki's Sukeroku (lower left), with an actor from the past as Ikyû (upper right), in the kabuki play Sukeroku. Sukeroku was originally staged in 1713 at the Yamamura Theatre and starred Ichikawa Danjûrô II. For more information on the play, see this description.

In this print, the elderly samurai Ikyû, who is in love with the beautiful courtesan Agemaki, pulls his sword from its sheath, watched by Sukeroku, who Agemaki is in love with. Sukeroku, who has been constantly goading and insulting Ikyû in order to make him draw his sword, succeeds in his task, and sees that Ikyû's sword is in fact his own sword that was stolen from him, preventing him from avenging the murder of his father. Now that he knows Ikyû has his sword he can attack the old samurai, take the sword back, and continue with his mission to avenge his father.

The karazuri blind-embossing of Ikyû's long hair stands out in this print, and the bokashi gradation in the characters' eyes is also a nice touch. As with all of the prints in this series, the detailed karazuri in the background is also a highlight.