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「かたきり弥七」 （片桐弥七）
Katagiri Yashichi, with Lady Tokiwa and Her Children in the Snow
「かたきり弥七」 （片桐弥七）
Japanese
Edo period
about 1719 (Kyôhô 4)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (urushi-e); ink on paper, with hand-applied color and nikawa
Dimensions
Horizontal hosoban; 15.4 x 30 cm (6 1/16 x 11 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.19145
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
DescriptionThe central figure with the umbrella is identified as Katagiri Yashichi (whose name is spelled out in full in the rectangular cartouche at upper right) by the rebus of arrows (ya) plus the numeral 7 (shichi) on his sleeve. Yashichi is a character in a number of kabuki plays, but the figures in this print do not have the faces or the crests of actors.
In the 11th month of 1719, the character Katagiri Yashichi was played by two different actors, in different plays, at different theaters: Morita Kan'ya IV in the play Banmin Taiheiki at the Morita theater, and Ôtani Hiroji I in Nyohitsu Taiheiki at the Nakamura theater. Possibly this print was intended to represent both performances, hence the lack of specific identifications of actors.
森田座、万民太平記ヵ
中村座、如筆太平記ヵ
In the 11th month of 1719, the character Katagiri Yashichi was played by two different actors, in different plays, at different theaters: Morita Kan'ya IV in the play Banmin Taiheiki at the Morita theater, and Ôtani Hiroji I in Nyohitsu Taiheiki at the Nakamura theater. Possibly this print was intended to represent both performances, hence the lack of specific identifications of actors.
森田座、万民太平記ヵ
中村座、如筆太平記ヵ
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.