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「高須遊君地獄太夫染衣 五代目板東彦三郎 水薪」
The encounter between the great fifteenth-century Zen master Ikkyū and the legendary Hell Courtesan (Jigoku dayū), who wore a outer kimono decorated with scenes of Hell, became the basis for several popular novels in the early nineteenth century and was eventually dramatized as a kabuki play in 1865. This striking close-up portrait shows one of the leading stars of the day in his role as the exquisitely dressed courtesan, with lotus-shaped hair ornaments that carry out the Buddhist theme of the costume.
Actor Bandô Hikosaburô V as Jigoku Dayû, from an untitled series
「高須遊君地獄太夫染衣 五代目板東彦三郎 水薪」
Utagawa Yoshitora (Japanese, active about 1836–1887)
Publisher: Ebisuya Shôshichi (Kinshôdô) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Shimizu Ryûzô (Japanese)
Publisher: Ebisuya Shôshichi (Kinshôdô) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Shimizu Ryûzô (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1865 (Genji 2/Keiô 1), 3th month
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 38 x 25.2 cm (14 15/16 x 9 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.16281
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
The encounter between the great fifteenth-century Zen master Ikkyū and the legendary Hell Courtesan (Jigoku dayū), who wore a outer kimono decorated with scenes of Hell, became the basis for several popular novels in the early nineteenth century and was eventually dramatized as a kabuki play in 1865. This striking close-up portrait shows one of the leading stars of the day in his role as the exquisitely dressed courtesan, with lotus-shaped hair ornaments that carry out the Buddhist theme of the costume.
Catalogue Raisonné
Schaap, Kunisada (exh. cat., 2016), p. 170, #10
Signed
Yoshitora ga
芳虎画
芳虎画
Marks
Censor's seal: Ox 3 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Horikô Ryûzô
改印：丑三改
彫師：彫工柳三
Blockcutter's mark: Horikô Ryûzô
改印：丑三改
彫師：彫工柳三
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.
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.