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「四代目木場団十郎」
Fourth of the Line, the Danjûrô of Kiba (Actor Ichikawa Danjûrô IV as Kagekiyo), from an untitled series of the Ichikawa Danjûrô lineage for the Gogawa club
「四代目木場団十郎」
Utagawa Toyokuni I (Japanese, 1769–1825)
Japanese
Edo period
about 1820 (Bunsei 3)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Shikishiban; 20 x 17.5 cm (7 7/8 x 6 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.25229
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
The Ichikawa line was one of the most famed families of the kabuki stage. This print comes from a series commissioned by the Go-gawa poetry club, whose hourglass-like insignia appears in the decorative border. Ichikawa Danjūrō IV was known for his more realistic style of acting, as he attempted to create richer and more nuanced characters. Here he appears in the role of Taira no Kagekiyo, a historical figure who reached near-legendary status on the kabuki stage as a fierce and honorable warrior.
Catalogue Raisonné
Fujisawa, Kabuki Edo hyakkei (2022), p. 81; McKee, Colored in the New Year's Light (2008), #129; Gifu Prefectural Museum, Nanadaime Danjûrô to Kunisada, Kuniyoshi (2001), #1-5 (2nd state); Bowie et al, Art of Surimono (1979), #62 (2nd state)
DescriptionFrom a series first designed around 1820 by Toyokuni I for the Gogawa-ren, with their hourglass-shaped symbol decorating the margin. A second version of the series was issued by Toyokuni II in the early 1830s, with different poems and without the club symbol.
This poem translated in McKee 2008, p. 258.
This poem translated in McKee 2008, p. 258.
Signed
Toyokuni hitsu
豊国筆
豊国筆
InscriptionsPoem by Nogairô Nakamushi: Haru kureba/ yama mo kasumi no/ kumaedori/ kesa no hatsuhi no/ Kagekiyo zo yoki
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.