A close-up painting depicting the kabuki actor Sawamura Tossho II (1854-1879) possibly in the role of Takeda Katsuyori, dressed in a colourful kamishimo outfit decorated with chrysanthemums, cherry blossoms and poenies floating on running water. Behind the actor, a backdrop of plovers flying over turbulent waves can be seen. The painting's strikingly vivid colours were only possible due to the new synthetic pigments, which began to enter Japan in the late 1860s.

Although the purpose of this work is currently unknown, this piece likely served as a preparatory drawing to visualise the finished state of a woodblock print. However, as no finished print matching this design has been found yet, it is possible that this was an experimental design.