A promotional design for the Kabuki play 'Utsubo-Zaru' (The Monkey's Quiver), which was performed at the Nakamura theatre. The scene depicts the actor Nakamura Utaemon III in the role of a monkey tamer and a novice actor in the role of a monkey. the actors perform in front of two live performers, a chanter and shamisen player who wear the Tokiwazu school crest and provide narrative and musical accompaniment in the Tokiwazu-bushi style.

In the play, a lord demands to buy the monkey from the monkey tamer in order to use its skin to make a new quiver. when the animal trainer refuses, the lord threatens to kill the animal by aiming his bow at it. Given no other choice, the tamer reluctantly agrees to part with his partner and sings a final farewell song to the animal. not knowing that its death approaches, the monkey begins to dance to the song. Deeply moved by this performance the lord decides to spare the monkey's life.