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「赤本つくし 舌切雀」
The Tongue-cut Sparrow (Shita-kiri suzume), from the series Assorted Storybook Prints (Akahon tsukushi)
「赤本つくし 舌切雀」
Kubo Shunman (Japanese, 1757–1820)
Japanese
Edo period
about 1804–18 (Bunka era)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
14.3 x 21 cm (5 5/8 x 8 1/4 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.20079
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
The Tongue-Cut Sparrow was a popular fairytale that told of an old man’s kindness to a sparrow, who in thanks rewarded him with great wealth. Stories such as these were published in akahon (“red books”), simple printed books, a miniature design of which frames the series title in the upper right. Kubo Shunman was a talented artist who not only created innovative surimono, but also was an active poet. His accompanying poem uses the image of birds to refer to the “sparrows” of the Yoshiwara, the licensed pleasure quarters.
Catalogue Raisonné
Hizô Ukiyo-e taikan/Ukiyo-e Masterpieces in European Collections 8, Bibliothèque Nationale, Paris (1990), pl. 175; Polster & Marks, Surimono (1980), p. 409; another print in the series: Mizuta Museum, Surimono (2004), cat. no. 145
DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.20079, 21.6191
Signed
Shunman sei
俊満製
俊満製
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.