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三代目沢村宗十郎
DEACCESSIONED October 25, 2012
Actor Sawamura Sōjūrō III as a Fisherman
三代目沢村宗十郎
Artist unknown, Japanese
Attributed to: Katsukawa Shunshō (Japanese, 1726–1792)
Or: Katsukawa Shun'ei (Japanese, 1762–1819)
Attributed to: Katsukawa Shunshō (Japanese, 1726–1792)
Or: Katsukawa Shun'ei (Japanese, 1762–1819)
Japanese
Edo period
1777 (An'ei 6), 1st month (?)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Hosoban; about 33 × 15.2 cm (13 × 6 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.18969
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Catalogue Raisonné
Yonemura et al., Masterful Illusions (2002), #169 (R only)
DescriptionCenter sheet of incomplete triptych.
MFA impressions: 11.18410VR (11.18410, 11.18411, 11.18968), *11.18969 (center sheet only; deaccessioned in 2012), *11.18970 (right sheet only; deaccessioned in 2012), 21.6028-30 (complete)
The scene shows the moment when the shining image of Kannon later worshipped at the temple of Sensō-ji in Asakusa was found in the net of three fishermen. The same scene is depicted in the banzuke for the 1777 production at the Ichimura Theater (00.1767). However, the casting is somewhat different. Ichikawa Danjūrō V plays the fisherman Utō (with the oar); but according to the banzuke, the actor with the net is Sakata Hangorō II, rather than Sawamura Sōjūrō III as shown here, identified by his mon. The actor with the torch is Ichikawa Yaozō II according to the banzuke, whereas in this triptych his Ichikawa crest has the character Mon of Monnosuke written inside it, although in a different script style than in other prints of Monnosuke.
Either the casting was changed, or this is a different play, or possibly it is an imaginary re-casting.
Play (jōruri): Kumo no Uwaki Chidori no Kayoiji (?)
Play (main feature): Tsukisenu Haru Hagoromo Soga
Theater: Ichimura
浄瑠理 雲浮気千鳥通路（くものうわきちどりのかよいじ）、１番目５立目
常磐春羽衣曽我（つきせぬはるはごろもそが）、４番続
市村
1777、丁酉、安永０６、01・15
MFA impressions: 11.18410VR (11.18410, 11.18411, 11.18968), *11.18969 (center sheet only; deaccessioned in 2012), *11.18970 (right sheet only; deaccessioned in 2012), 21.6028-30 (complete)
The scene shows the moment when the shining image of Kannon later worshipped at the temple of Sensō-ji in Asakusa was found in the net of three fishermen. The same scene is depicted in the banzuke for the 1777 production at the Ichimura Theater (00.1767). However, the casting is somewhat different. Ichikawa Danjūrō V plays the fisherman Utō (with the oar); but according to the banzuke, the actor with the net is Sakata Hangorō II, rather than Sawamura Sōjūrō III as shown here, identified by his mon. The actor with the torch is Ichikawa Yaozō II according to the banzuke, whereas in this triptych his Ichikawa crest has the character Mon of Monnosuke written inside it, although in a different script style than in other prints of Monnosuke.
Either the casting was changed, or this is a different play, or possibly it is an imaginary re-casting.
Play (jōruri): Kumo no Uwaki Chidori no Kayoiji (?)
Play (main feature): Tsukisenu Haru Hagoromo Soga
Theater: Ichimura
浄瑠理 雲浮気千鳥通路（くものうわきちどりのかよいじ）、１番目５立目
常磐春羽衣曽我（つきせぬはるはごろもそが）、４番続
市村
1777、丁酉、安永０６、01・15
Signed
Unsigned
無款
無款
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.