这些照片是一系列被称为“增刊的一部分ements of the Complete Works of Chikamatsu Monzaemon'' produced between 1922 and 1926. Each print illustrates a scene or character from the famous works of Monzaemon (1623-1724), who was considered one of the greatest drama writers in Japanese history. Many well known artists collaborated on the series, including Kitano Tsunetomi, Ishikawa Toraji, Yamamura Toyonari, and Kaburagi Kiyokata. Important female painters of the period, Shima Seien and Uemura Shoen, also contributed designs.