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Ôtsuki Plain in Kai Province (Kai Ôtsuki no hara), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fuji sanjûrokkei)


「富士三十六景 甲斐大月の原」
Utagawa Hiroshige I (Japanese, 1797–1858)
Publisher: Tsutaya Kichizô (Kôeidô) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1858 (Ansei 5), 4th month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban; 36.1 x 24.9 cm (14 3/16 x 9 13/16 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.26333
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints
This view of Ōtsuki (Great Moon) Plain in Kai province, just to the west of Edo, is considered one of the most beautiful designs in Hiroshige’s series of views of Fuji (inspired by the famous set by Hokusai made almost thirty years earlier). The wildflowers blooming in the foreground are from a set of seven plants traditionally known as the Seven Herbs (nanakusa) of autumn, including pampas grass (susuki), yellow patrinia (ominaeshi), bellflowers (kikyō), and wild carnations (tokonatsu).

Catalogue Raisonné Ukiyo-e shûka 14 (1981), Hiroshige list, p. 250, ôban #58.04
DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.26333, 21.5320
Signed Hiroshige ga
広重画
Marks Censor's seal: Horse 4
No blockcutter's mark
改印:午四
彫師:なし
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.