The series Genji kumo ukiyo-e awase – Ukiyo-e comparison of the cloudy chapters of Genji, by Kuniyoshi, was published circa 1844/45, when the Tenpo Reforms were still in force. These reforms included several sumptuary measures that aimed to forbid and prevent several activities considered superfluous and/or dangerous. Between these activities was the production and sale of actor and theater prints.

The artists that produced these types of prints tried to get around these prohibitions by using, among others, classical literary works as a disguise to the real subject of their prints. This is the case with most or all of the prints in this series.