The Series Magic in the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac

This series of twelve prints depicts actors in roles associated with the twelve animal signs of the Zodiac.  The Japanese Zodiac and calendar were introduced from China into Japan in the sixth century.  Legend has it that the animals of the Zodiac (子 Rat, 丑 Ox, 寅 Tiger, 卯 Hare, 辰 Dragon, 巳 Snake, 午 Horse, 未 Goat, 申 Monkey, 酉 Rooster, 戌 Dog and 亥 Boar) were named by the Buddha as he lay dying. 

The Lavenberg Collection contains five prints from the series: Sawamura Tosshō II as Tora Ōmaru; Ichikawa Sadanji as the monk Raigo Ajari; Bandō Hikosaburō as Unryū Kūrō; Onoe Kikugorō V as Mibu no Kozaru and Bandō Hikosaburō as Inugami Hyōbu. To see all twelve prints from the series go to Sawamura Tosshō II as Tora Ōmaru

While some sources attribute the images in the series to particular plays, my guess is that the scenes depicted are from the imagination of Kunichika, rather than from actual plays.