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Elderly Couple at New Year, by Hôchû (top); Sparrow by Hiroshige and Spider by Gengyo (bottom right); Calligraphy (bottom left), from the harimaze series Old and New Poems and Writings (Shinko shoga awase)


「新古書画合」 お正月の老夫婦、雀と蜘蛛、書
After: Nakamura Hôchû (Japanese, active about 1799–1818)
Miyagi Gengyo (Japanese, 1817–1880)
Utagawa Hiroshige I (Japanese, 1797–1858)
Publisher: Yamaguchiya Tôbei (Kinkôdô) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1853 (Kaei 6), 12th month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban (harimaze); 36.5 x 25.5 cm (14 3/8 x 10 1/16 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.17203
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Signed Hôchû (top); Hiroshige, Gengyo (bottom right)
Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Ox 12
No blockcutter's mark
改印:改、丑十二
彫師:なし
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.