Actors Kataoka Gadô II as Fujiya Izaemon (R) and Iwai Kumesaburô III as Yûgiri of the Ôgiya (L)

「ふじ屋伊左衛門」二代目片岡我童　「扇屋夕霧」三代目岩井粂三郎

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Tsujiya Yasubei (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Tsuge Shôjirô (Hori Shôji) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1854 (Kaei 7/Ansei 1), 2nd month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper

Dimensions Vertical ôban diptych; 35 x 49.6 cm (13 3/4 x 19 1/2 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.43866a-b

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionPlay (shosa, finale of Part 2): Kuruwa Bunshô
Play (main feature): Hanamidô Yamato Bunko
Theater: Nakamura
廓文章（くるわぶんしょう）　常磐津、竹本
花☆堂大和文庫（はなみどうやまとぶんこ）
中村、二番目大切
1854、嘉永０７、03・11

Signed Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (on each sheet)
豊国画(年玉枠)

Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Tiger 2
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Shôji (on left sheet only)
改印：改、寅二
彫師：彫庄治

ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850–d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 19, 2005)

NOTES:
[1] Much of Bigelow's collection of Asian art was formed during his residence in Japan between 1882 and 1889, although he also made acquisitions in Europe and the United States. Bigelow deposited many of these objects at the MFA in 1890 before donating them to the Museum's collection at later dates.