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The Syllable We: Maple Leaves in the Tatsuta River, from the series Tales of Ise in Fashionable Brocade Prints (Fûryû nishiki-e Ise monogatari)


風流錦絵伊勢物語 「ゑ」 龍田川
Katsukawa Shunshô (Japanese, 1726–1792)
Japanese
Edo period
about 1770–73 (Meiwa 7–An'ei 2)

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical koban (half aiban); 22.5 x 15.9 cm (8 7/8 x 6 1/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.19788
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionNo. 43 in the series of 48, illustrating episode 106 of Tales of Ise.

The series was apparently published in the form of two orihon albums, the first volume (24 designs on 12 aiban sheets) in about 1770, the second volume in about 1772-73. The complete set, in two volumes: 2006.1795.1-2
Signed Shunshô ga
春章画
InscriptionsPoem: Chihayaburu/ kamiyo mo kikazu/ Tatsugawa/ karakurenai ni/ mizu kukuryu to wa
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.