Actors Nakamura Fukusuke I as Musashi Gorô, actually Yoshikado (R), and Sawamura Tanosuke III as Yosooi-hime (L)

「武蔵五郎実ハよし門」初代中村福助　「粧姫」三代目沢村田之助

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

Japanese

Edo period

1859 (Ansei 6), 8th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban diptych; 36.3 × 49.5 cm (14 5/16 × 19 1/2 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.40833a-b

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionThe design of the seal appears to read "Goat 8," but it is not the usual design for that month.

Play: Hanano no Tsuki Utou Hitofushi (or: Hanabusa no Kô Utou Hitofushi)
Theater: Nakamura
英皎うとふ一諷（はなののつきうとうひとふし）
中村

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

Marks Censor's seal: Goat 8 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Shô
改印：未八改
彫師：彫庄

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.