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Season-opening Program (Kaomise banzuke) for the Kawarazaki Theater


河原崎座顔見世番付
Torii Kiyomitsu II (Kiyomine) (Japanese, 1787–1868)
Publisher: Ogawa Hansuke (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1851 (Kaei 4), 11th month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (sumizuri-e); ink on paper
Dimensions 34 x 47.6 cm (13 3/8 x 18 3/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.28288
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionMFA impressions: 00.1492, 00.1504, 00.1521, 11.28287, 11.28288

Kaomise banzuke produced to advertise the annual "face showing" ceremony at the Kawarazaki Theater (Edo) in celebration of the opening of the new kabuki year and the theater's newly formed acting troupe. Published on an "auspicious day" in the 11th lunar month of Kaei 4 (1851) by Ogawa Hansuke.
顔見世番付
河原崎座、江戸
嘉永04(1851) ・11 ・吉日より
「嘉永四亥霜月吉日」

版元備考: 小川 半助
Signed Eshi Torii Kiyomitsu hitsu
絵師鳥居清満筆
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.