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七代目団十郎
Actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VII
七代目団十郎
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861)
Japanese
Edo period
1830s
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Shikishiban; 21 x 18.5 cm (8 1/4 x 7 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.19917
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
Dramatic lightning flashes behind Ichikawa Danjūrō VII, who most likely here portrays the character of Fuwa Banzaemon, a villain who steals an important scroll, framing his rival for the deed. Banzaemon carried a sword known as “Thunder” and often wears kimono with lightning patterns. Here the costume features peonies, the actor’s personal insignia. The accompanying poem compares the pleasant fragrance of the first flowering plums to the priceless worth of the oyadama (“boss jewel”), a common name of praise for actors of the Ichikawa lineage.
Catalogue Raisonné
Clark, Kuniyoshi from Miller Coll. (2009), #105 (poems different); Chiba Museum, Edo no surimono (1997), #140 (poems different)
Signed
Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga
一勇斎国芳画
一勇斎国芳画
InscriptionsPoem by Ichijuen Kagefusa: ... / nioeru ume no/ hatsuhana wa/ atai senkin/ haru no oyatama
「明て今朝 匂へるうめの はつ花は あたひ千 金春のおや玉 一樹園影芳」
「明て今朝 匂へるうめの はつ花は あたひ千 金春のおや玉 一樹園影芳」
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.