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[Ch. 9,] Aoi, from the series The Color Print Contest of a Modern Genji (Ima Genji nishiki-e awase)


今源氏錦絵合 「葵」 九
Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudô) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1852 (Kaei 5), intercalary 2nd month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical chûban; 25.8 x 18.1 cm (10 3/16 x 7 1/8 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.20924
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Marks et al, Genji's World (2012), list #G325-09 (no photo)
DescriptionMFA impressions:
Without number: 11.20898, 11.20924
With number: 11.20822, 11.20844
With number in circle: 01.5670
Signed Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche
豊国画(年玉枠)
Marks Censors' seals: Fuku, Muramatsu, Rat intercalary
No blockcutter's mark
改印:福、村松、子閏
彫師:なし
InscriptionsPoem: Hototogisu/ mata hitokoe o/ futabakusa/ kazasu shirushi ni/ ware wa kikikemu
「ほとゝきすまたひとこゑを二葉草かさすしるしに我はきゝけむ 尚古堂守俊」
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.