Shôno: (Actor Bandô Hikosaburô IV as) Nakano Fujibei, from the series Fifty-three Stations of the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô gojûsan tsugi no uchi)

「東海道五拾三次の内　庄野　中野藤兵衛」　四代目坂東彦三郎

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Sumiyoshiya Masagorô
Blockcutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take)

Japanese

Edo period

1852 (Kaei 5), 5th month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 35.3 x 24.5 cm (13 7/8 x 9 5/8 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.29453

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Marks, Kunisada's Tôkaidô (2013), #T63-46, p. 154; Hizô Ukiyo-e taikan/Ukiyo-e Masterpieces in European Collections 7, Musee Guimet II (1990), fig. 62

DescriptionStation no. 46.

MFA impressions: 11.29453, 11.29525.26, 11.43270, 59.1147.71

Signed Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche
豊国画(年玉枠)

Marks Censors' seals: Hama, Magome, Rat 5
Blockcutter's mark: Horikô Takejirô
改印：浜、馬込、子五
彫師：彫工竹次郎

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.