Description: Two entertainers; one is holding a shamisen which is a Japanese style banjo that uses cat gut strings, the other is holding some sort of paper, which is thought to be a "chirashi" or promotional flyer. The paper could also be a song or even some type of performer's license.

Kiri wood case with missing lid, minor blemishes to the plate. Inscription on the case reads: Taken in Kyoto at the address of Kami Kyoku, Takeya-cho Dori, Takakura Nishi, Hei no Uchi-cho, which is presumably the address of the two men. Their names are Ichiraku Miyako and Tosho Tsureeda. These are presumably their names which are spelled in old script kanji. Due to the case design, this ambrotype is dated from the mid 1880s to mid 1890s.

A wonderful personal document on Kyoto's entertainment quarter during the Meiji era.