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Symbols of Good Fortune for the Ichikawa Lineage: A Lobster in the Shape of the Treasure Boat (Takarabune)


市川流の壽 宝船の海老
Torii Kiyomitsu II (Kiyomine) (Japanese, 1787–1868)
Publisher: Maruya Jinpachi (Marujin, Enjudô) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1832 (Tenpô 3), 3rd month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Horizontal double ôban; 42.2 x 56.2 cm (16 5/8 x 22 1/8 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.38841
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Ohki w/ Haliburton, Private World of Surimono (2020), #38; McKee, "Gifts of the 'Treasure Ship'," in Graphic Designer ... Robert Schaap (2013), pp. 16-21, fig. 1
DescriptionMFA impressions: 00.1682, 11.38841
A related design: 00.1674

Made to commemorate the name change of Ichikawa Danjûrô VII to Ebizô V and his son, the former Ebizô, to Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII. Text transcribed and translated in Ohki w/ Haliburton 2020, p. 144, and McKee 2013.
Signed Godaime [i.e. fifth-generation head of the Torii school] Kiyomitsu
InscriptionsPoems by Hakuen (Danjûrô VII) and Mimasu (Danjûrô VIII).
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.