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「青楼俄狂 七月女夫虫売」
Enterprising young people captured insects in grassy areas and sold them to city dwellers. In this case, however, the young couple with a portable rack of insect cages are actually two geisha (not courtesans but musical entertainers) of the Yoshiwara district. They’re dressed as insect vendors for a skit in the costume parade that was the main feature of the annual Niwaka Festival. The inscription at the top lists the names of six performers in this dance number, although only two of them are shown.
An Insect Vending Couple in the Seventh Month (Shichigatsu myôto mushiuri), from the series Niwaka Festival Skits in the Pleasure Quarters (Seirô Niwaka kyôgen)
「青楼俄狂 七月女夫虫売」
Japanese
Edo period
about 1776–81 (An'ei 5–Tenmei 1)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical chûban; 26.5 x 19.2 cm (10 7/16 x 7 9/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.19575
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Enterprising young people captured insects in grassy areas and sold them to city dwellers. In this case, however, the young couple with a portable rack of insect cages are actually two geisha (not courtesans but musical entertainers) of the Yoshiwara district. They’re dressed as insect vendors for a skit in the costume parade that was the main feature of the annual Niwaka Festival. The inscription at the top lists the names of six performers in this dance number, although only two of them are shown.
Catalogue Raisonné
Hockley 2003, p. 213, #L-4-10
Signed
Koryûsai ga
湖龍斎画
湖龍斎画
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.