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「蘭人猛虎生取図（らんじんもうこをいけとるづ）」
The earliest known published work signed by Kyōsai is this example of a "Yokohama print," prints showing the exotic foreigners in the treaty port of Yokohama, which had just been opened to foreign trade. Kyōsai was inspired by the exhibition of an actual, imported leopard (thought by the Japanese to be a variety of tiger) to create a fantastic scene of a round-eyed, brown-haired hunter in quasi-Chinese clothing, with an explanatory text by Kanagaki Robun.
A Dutchman Capturing a Ferocious Tiger Alive (Ranjin môko o iketoru zu)
「蘭人猛虎生取図（らんじんもうこをいけとるづ）」
Kawanabe Kyôsai (Japanese, 1831–1889)
Text by: Kanagaki Robun (Kinton Donjin) (Japanese, 1829–1894)
Publisher: Ebisuya Shōshichi (Kinshōdō) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Matsushima Masakichi (Hori Masa) (Japanese)
Text by: Kanagaki Robun (Kinton Donjin) (Japanese, 1829–1894)
Publisher: Ebisuya Shōshichi (Kinshōdō) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Matsushima Masakichi (Hori Masa) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1860 (Ansei 7/Man'en 1), 7th month
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 36 x 25 cm (14 3/16 x 9 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.37046
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
The earliest known published work signed by Kyōsai is this example of a "Yokohama print," prints showing the exotic foreigners in the treaty port of Yokohama, which had just been opened to foreign trade. Kyōsai was inspired by the exhibition of an actual, imported leopard (thought by the Japanese to be a variety of tiger) to create a fantastic scene of a round-eyed, brown-haired hunter in quasi-Chinese clothing, with an explanatory text by Kanagaki Robun.
Catalogue Raisonné
Kaikan sanjû shûnen kinen Kawanabe Kyôsai kinen bijutsukan cat. (2008), p. 97, #0717; Bakumatsu Meiji no tensai eshi Kawanabe Kyôsai ten (1998), #78
DescriptionText by Kanagaki Robun.
Signed
Ôju ... Seiseian
Marks
Censor's seal: Monkey 7 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Matsushima Hori Masa
改印：申七改
彫師：松島彫政
Blockcutter's mark: Matsushima Hori Masa
改印：申七改
彫師：松島彫政
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.