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「老（な）まづ」 （鯰絵）
According to the memoirs of Kyōsai’s friend, the comic writer Kanagaki Robun, Kyōsai’s first published works were anonymous satirical prints referring to the great earthquake of 1855. Since at the time it was technically illegal to depict current events, the earthquake was symbolized by a mythical creature from Japanese folklore, the giant catfish under the ground whose wriggling causes quakes. At a raucous drinking party, a geisha sings a comic song about the catfish while a male comedian uses fans to impersonate the fish.
Old Catfish (Oinamazu): Geisha Playing Samisen and Clown Imitating Catfish
「老（な）まづ」 （鯰絵）
Attributed to: Kawanabe Kyôsai (Japanese, 1831–1889)
Japanese
Edo period
about 1855 (Ansei 2)
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 35.5 x 24 cm (14 x 9 7/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.38639
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
According to the memoirs of Kyōsai’s friend, the comic writer Kanagaki Robun, Kyōsai’s first published works were anonymous satirical prints referring to the great earthquake of 1855. Since at the time it was technically illegal to depict current events, the earthquake was symbolized by a mythical creature from Japanese folklore, the giant catfish under the ground whose wriggling causes quakes. At a raucous drinking party, a geisha sings a comic song about the catfish while a male comedian uses fans to impersonate the fish.
Catalogue Raisonné
Duus, "Japan's First Modern Manga Magazine," Impressions 21 (1999), p. 33, fig. 2; Oikawa, Clark & Forrer, Comic Genius: Kawanabe Kyôsai/Kyôsai giga kyôga ten (1996), p. 14, fig. 6; Edo-Tokyo Museum, Kawanabe Kyôsai to Edo Tôkyô (1994), #27Ôkubo, Namazu-e
Signed
Unsigned
無款
無款
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.