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Comical Hand Games, a Collection of Folk Dances (Teasobi dôke yosakoi zukushi)


「手遊道化 よさこいづくし」
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861)
Publisher: Enshûya Hikobei (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1858 (Ansei 5), 8th month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban; 37 x 24.8 cm (14 9/16 x 9 3/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.36719
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionAnother print in the series is in the National Museum of Japanese History 国立歴史民俗学博物館 .
Yosakoi is an energetic folk dance featured in various local festivals in Japan today.
Signed Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi giga
一勇斎国芳戯画
Marks Censor's seal: Horse 8
No blockcutter's mark
改印:午八
彫師:なし
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.