Many surimono refer to the career of Ichikawa Danjuro VII, the top kabuki actor during the early 19th century, when the craze for surimono was at its height. This large work commemorated the famous name change of 1832, when Danjuro VII exchanged names with his talented young son, who became Danjuro VIII. The lucky takarabune (“treasure boat”)—typical laden with rice and treasures and accompanied by the Seven Lucky Gods appears here as a lobster, an auspicious symbol of long life. Instead of treasures it carries the “three boxes” insignia of the Ichikawa line.

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