Actors Bandô Hikosaburô IV as Ômi Kotôda Shigeie (R), Kataoka Gadô II as Kawazu Saburô Sukeyasu (C), and Iwai Kumesaburô III as Kudô Kanaishimaru Suketsune (L)

「近江小藤太成家」四代目坂東彦三郎　「河津三郎祐泰」二代目片岡我童　「工藤金石丸祐経」三代目岩井粂三郎

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Izutsuya Shôkichi, Japanese
Blockcutter: Ôtaya Takichi (Hori Takichi) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1853 (Kaei 6), 12th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.5 x 72.6 cm (14 x 28 9/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44116a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Peternolli & Guidi, Kunisada (Bologna, 2017), #69 (with sheets in different order)

DescriptionPlay: Matsu Ichô Tsurukame Soga
Theater: Nakamura
松扇杏鶴☆曽我（まついちょうつるかめそが）
中村
1854、嘉永０７、01・13

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

Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Ox 12
Blockcutter's marks: Hori Takichi (on right and left sheets), Hori Ta (on center sheet)
改印：改、丑十二
彫師：彫多吉　彫多

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.