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Modern Lifesized Dolls (Tôsei iki ningyô): Guan Sheng, the Great Halberd, from the Shuihuzhuan (Suikoden)


「当世生人形」 水滸伝 大刀関勝
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861)
Publisher: Iseyoshi (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Tsuge Shôjirô (Hori Shôji) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1856 (Ansei 3), 2nd month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban; 35.4 x 24.3 cm (13 15/16 x 9 9/16 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.36640
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné http://blog.livedoor.jp/misemono/archives/cat_50049088.html; Ono, Misemono fûzoku zushi (1977), p. 150; another version of the same subject: Suzuki 1992, #350
DescriptionThe complete set of three: 11.36639, 11.36640, 11.36641. In the version illustrated in Suzuki 1992, the three scenes are combined into a continuous triptych, with labels identifying the figures.
Signed Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga
一勇斎国芳画
Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Dragon 2
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Shôji
改印:改、辰二
彫師:彫庄治
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.