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Actors Iwai Hanshirô VI as Giô, Iwai Hanshirô VI as Gijo, and (in inset) Iwai Hanshirô V as Hotoke Gozen


「祇王」六代目岩井半四郎、「祇女」七代目岩井半四郎、「仏御前」五代目岩井半四郎
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861)
Publisher: Minatoya Kohei (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1847 (Kôka 4)

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban; 35.6 x 24.7 cm (14 x 9 3/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.28803
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Waseda db 201-2118, 201-2118
DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.28803, *11.38380 (deaccessioned in 2019)

Possibly a memorial print for Iwai Tojaku (formerly Iwai Hanshirô V), who died in the 4th month of 1847. Sadly, he had outlived his two sons, Hanshirô V (1799-1836) and Hanshirô VII (1804-1845). They are shown playing the roles of three women who become Buddhist nuns.
Signed Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga
一勇斎国芳画
Marks Censors' seals: Muramatsu, Yoshimura
No blockcutter's mark
改印:村松、吉村
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.