Actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as the demonic thief Orochimaru, 1862, 12th lunar month, Utagawa Kunisada; Publisher: Hiranoya Shinzō, Japanese, 1786 - 1865, 14 1/2 × 9 9/16 in. (36.83 × 24.29 cm) (image, vertical ōban), Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper, Japan, 19th century, Toyokuni's Drawings: A Magic Contest features kabuki actors juxtaposed to people, good or evil, that have supernatural powers. The motifs derive from popular legends, kabuki plays, or adventure novels that were well-liked in the mid-19th century. As this series was one-of-a-kind each print was published on thick paper with expensive pigments and special printing features like embossing and lacquer printing.