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「神武天皇御即位大度寛仁大日本和合万世不朽之大業を創したまひ文武忠誠之諸将に褒章をたまふ図 万国の公使入貢」
At the Enthronement of Emperor Jinmu, Benevolent and Magnanimous, with All of Japan in Harmony, a Great Achievement That Will Last for TenThousand Generations, the Loyal and Accomplished Generals Receive Awards and Ambassadors from Many Lands Present Gifts (Jinmu Tennô gosokui, taido kanjin Dai Nippon wagô bansei fukyô no taigyô o sôshitamai, bunbu chûsei no shoshô ni hôshô o tamau zu; bankoku no kôshi nyûkô)
「神武天皇御即位大度寛仁大日本和合万世不朽之大業を創したまひ文武忠誠之諸将に褒章をたまふ図 万国の公使入貢」
Japanese
Edo period--Meiji era
1868 (Keiô 4/Meiji 1), 10th month
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban triptych; 37 x 74.2 cm (14 9/16 x 29 3/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.36435a-c
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
During the Edo period (1615–1868), the Tokugawa shoguns forbade any depiction of current events (other than entertainment) or of persons of high rank, to avoid any possibility of criticism or controversy; and so news reports were often disguised as historical scenes. Although the Tokugawas were deposed in 1867, artists were still being cautious when the Meiji emperor came to the throne in 1868. This triptych supposedly shows the enthronement of the first emperor of Japan, traditionally dated to 660 BCE; but the date of the print itself, and the presence of foreigners dressed in European-style trousers and hats, makes it clear that the real subject is the Meiji enthronement.
Catalogue Raisonné
Kitagawa, "Bosuton bijutsukan shozô Kamigata-e mokuroku" (Kansai daigaku, 2007), p. 128; Konishi, Nishiki-e Bakumatsu Meiji no rekishi 5 (1977), pp. 2-3; Asai, Kinsei nishiki-e sesôshi 2 (1935), p. 76
Signed
Hasegawa Sadanobu ga (on right sheet)
長谷川貞信画
長谷川貞信画
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850–d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 19, 2005)
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.