The dance "Utsubo Zaru" was premiered in the 11th lunar month of 1838 at the Ichimuraza, under the title "Hanabutai Kasumi no Saruhiki" [casting].

In front of Narutaki Hachiman Shrine, a female lord captures a monkey who wanders into the shrine and asks the monkey trainer to sell her the monkey so that she can use its skin to make a leather quiver. At first, the monkey trainer refuses, but when the lord places an arrow in her bow to kill the monkey, the monkey trainer is left no choice and reluctantly agrees to part with his monkey. The monkey trainer begins to sing a last farewell song and the monkey, not even knowing that his death draws near, begins to dance to the song, pretending to row a boat. The female lord is deeply moved by this performance and decides to spare the monkey's life, bringing a happy ending to this dance.

Source: Nihon Buyô

The actors Nakamura Utaemon IV, Nakamura Kinjirô, Ichimura Uzaemon XII and Ichikawa Kuzô II playing the roles of the monkey-showman, the monkey, Tarôkaja and the female lord in the dance "Hanabutai Kasumi no Saruhiki", which was staged in the 11th lunar month of 1838 at the Ichimuraza (print made by Utagawa Kunisada I)