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Round Four, Left Side (Yonban, hidari): Two Women, from the series Contest of Fowls (Toriawase)


「鳥合 四番左 」
Attributed to: Ryûryûkyo Shinsai (Japanese, 1764?–1820)
Japanese
Edo period
1825 (Bunsei 8)

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (surimono); ink, color, and metallic pigment on paper
Dimensions Shikishiban; 21.7 x 18.7 cm (8 9/16 x 7 3/8 in.)
Credit Line William S. and John T. Spaulding Collection
Accession Number21.9261
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Other prints in the series: Chiba Museum, Edo no surimono (1997), #s 184-5, with description of the series on p. 181; this design is not mentioned
DescriptionThe series apparently consisted of a total of 15 sheets by three different artists. Twelve sheets by Kunisada and Shinsai used the format of a poetry contest between Left and Right sides, in six rounds, with subtitles based on the names of varieties of chickens. There was also a triptych by Hokkei showing a cockfight.
MFA prints from the series: 00.1916 (by Hokkei), 11.19892 (by Kunisada), and 21.9261 (by Shinsai?)
Signed Shinsai (but this signature looks odd and may have been added later)
辰斎
ProvenanceSpring 1913, purchased by William S. and John T. Spaulding from Frank Lloyd Wright in Japan; December 1, 1921, given by William S. and John T. Spaulding to the Museum.