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「十二支 申 きく月」
The signs of the East Asian zodiac could be applied to months as well as to years, days, and hours. This series shows the playful activities of children throughout the year, matched with the appropriate animal for each month. Here a group of little boys stage what appears to be an elaborate monkey performance, with a monkey trainer, musicians, and audience. But in fact it’s all a game, for a closer look shows that the “monkeys” are also costumed children.
Monkey, the Ninth Month (Saru, Kikuzuki), from the series Twelve Signs of the Zodiac (Jûni shi)
「十二支 申 きく月」
Ishikawa Toyomasa (Japanese, active 1770–1780)
Japanese
Edo period
1770s
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical chûban; 26 x 19 cm (10 1/4 x 7 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.19769
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
The signs of the East Asian zodiac could be applied to months as well as to years, days, and hours. This series shows the playful activities of children throughout the year, matched with the appropriate animal for each month. Here a group of little boys stage what appears to be an elaborate monkey performance, with a monkey trainer, musicians, and audience. But in fact it’s all a game, for a closer look shows that the “monkeys” are also costumed children.
DescriptionThe complete series: 11.19766–11.19777 (plus 54.238, duplicate of 11.19767).
Signed
Ishikawa Toyomasa sha
石川豊雅写
石川豊雅写
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.