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Saigyô Hill at Ôi Station (Ôi, Saigyôzaka): Actor Iwai Kumesaburô III as Utsushie, from the series The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaidô Road (Kisokaidô rokujûkyû eki)


「木曽六十九駅 大井 西行坂 うつしゑ」 三代目岩井粂三郎
Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Daikyû (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take)
Japanese
Edo period
1852 (Kaei 5), 12th month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban; 37.6 x 26 cm (14 13/16 x 10 1/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.17313
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionStation 47.

The name of Saigyô Hill suggests the kabuki character Utsushie, a daughter of the famous priest Saigyô who is now a shinzô (apprentice courtesan) in the licensed quarter.
Play: Zôho Fujimi Saigyô
増補富士見西行(ぞうほふじみさいぎょう)
Signed Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche
豊国画(年玉枠)
Marks Censors' seals: Kinugasa, Murata, Rat 12
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Take
改印:衣笠、村田、子十二
彫師:彫竹
ProvenanceBy 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.