Morning Glory (Kengyûka/asagao): Actors Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII and Asao Okuyama III, from the series Selection of Six Flowers Currently in Full Bloom (Tôsei rokkasen)
「当盛六花撰 牽牛花」 八代目市川団十郎、三代目浅尾奥山
Japanese
Edo period
1854 (Kaei 7/Ansei 1), 6th month
Artist Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864), Artist Utagawa Hiroshige I (Japanese, 1797–1858), Publisher Ebisuya Shôshichi (Kinshôdô) (Japanese), Blockcutter Sugawa Sennosuke (Hori Sennosuke) (Japanese)
Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 35.2 x 24.3 cm (13 7/8 x 9 9/16 in.)
Accession Number
11.29696
Medium or Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Not On View
Collections
Classifications
MFA impressions: 11.21909 (first edition, series of 6), 11.29058 (first edition, series of 6), 11.29696 (first edition, series of 6), 11.45292 (second edition, series of 10)
From a series first issued in 1854, in six sheets, under the title “Six Flowers…,” and reissued in 1858 with four additional designs, under the title “Ten Flowers…” For the sheets already published, the censor’s seals remain the same in the second edition; but the series title and some of the actors’ faces are changed.
Signed
Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (foreground); Hiroshige hitsu (background)
豊国画(年玉枠)、広重筆
Markings
Censor's seals: aratame, Tiger 6
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Sennosuke
改印：改、寅六
彫師：彫千之助
Provenance
By 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 - d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)
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.
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection