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Oyone magoshichi taheiji
The image depicts three of the characters from the Kabuki play Ehon Gapp ga Tsuji written by playwright Tsuruya Nanboku (1755-1829) and first performed in Edo (modern Toyko) in 1810.  Taheiji, exposing his knees is the villain, and samurai Magoshichi is protecting his wife Oyone.
Ehon Gapp ga Tsuji is bloodthirsty revenge play (adauchi kyognen) that captures the Kabuki epitome of evil.  Considered one of the finest of its genre, Ehon Gapp ga Tsuji spotlights the tropes of the handsome young villain (iroaku) and the evil woman (akuba) in a tale of vengeance, cruelty and cynicism. 
The play was sadistic with cruel murders and Japanese of the Kasei period (1804-1830) loved it!
Taheiji tries taking over the Taga Clan by attempting to steal the family censer and murders a retainer to cover up his crimes. Magoshichi is a Samuari of the Taga Clan and swears vengeance, but his wife Oyone is captured by the evil Taheiji.  After many evil deeds, a bit of three-way sexual tension and a great deal of fighting the noble Magoshichi and loyal Oyone are murdered. 
