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「通俗三国志之内 孔明六擒孟獲」
Kongming's Sixth Capture of Meng Huo (Kômei mutabi Môkaku o toriko ni su), from the series The Popular Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Tsûzoku Sangokushi no uchi)
「通俗三国志之内 孔明六擒孟獲」
Japanese
Edo period
1854 (Kaei 7/Ansei 1), 8th month
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban triptych; 36.7 x 77 cm (14 7/16 x 30 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.38182a-c
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
During the civil wars in third-century China, King Meng Huo of the Man people in south China was about to be defeated once again by his enemies when his wife, Lady Zhurong, rode into battle. Using an eighteen-foot spear and five throwing knives, she unhorsed and captured an enemy general. The story is told in the classic Chinese historical novel, The Romance of the Three Kingdoms, illustrated by Kuniyoshi in a series of eye-catching triptychs that include exotic Western shading techniques.
Catalogue Raisonné
Nagoya City Mus., Takaki Shigeru Ukiyo-e Collection (2001), #57; Suzuki 1992, #173; Robinson, Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints (1982), list #T310
Signed
Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga (on right and left sheets), Kuniyoshi ga (on center sheet)
一勇斎国芳画 国芳画
一勇斎国芳画 国芳画
Marks
Censor's seals: aratame, Tiger 8
No blockcutter's mark
改印：改、寅八
彫師：なし
No blockcutter's mark
改印：改、寅八
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.
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.