Tadanobu performing the fox-dance to the beat of the <i>kotsuzumi</i> or hand drum made from the skins of his parents

Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) / Toyokuni III (三代豊国) (artist 1786 – 01/12/1865)

Tadanobu performing the fox-dance to the beat of the kotsuzumi or hand drum made from the skins of his parents

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1850s

This is a page from a Japanese ehon or book. The character 尾 (possibly translated a 'tail') appears of the figures robe. The figure most likely represents Tadanobu, a fox spirit that took human form to try to retrieve the drum made from the skins of his parents. On the kabuki stage Tadanobe performs a vigorous fox-dance. That is what appears to be happening here.
picture book (ehon - 絵本) (genre)
Yūrei-zu (幽霊図 - ghosts demons monsters and spirits) (genre)