Actors Ichimura Kakitsu IV as the Shinzô Kochô, Actually the Spirit of a Cat (Jitsu wa neko no sei) (R); Iwai Shijaku II as the Courtesan (Keisei) Usugumo (C); and Bandô Hikosaburô V as Jûza, Actually the Spirit of an Old Rat (Jitsu wa kyûso no sei) (L)

「新造胡蝶実は猫の性　市村家橘」（四代目）　「けいせい薄雲　岩井紫若」（二代目）　「十三実は旧鼠性　坂東彦三郎」（五代目）

Utagawa Kunisada II (Kunimasa III, Toyokuni IV) (Japanese, 1823–1880)
Publisher: Ebiya Rinnosuke (Kaijudô) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Ôta Komakichi (Hori Koma, Hori Tashichi) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1866 (Keiô 2), 2nd month (?)

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 36.9 × 73.8 cm (14 1/2 × 29 1/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.38751a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionPlay: Yagura-daiko Oto mo Yoshiwara
Theater: Ichimura
櫓太鼓鳴音吉原やぐらだいこおともよしわら
市村

Signed Kunisada ga (on each sheet)
国貞画

Marks Censor's seal: Tiger 2 aratame (?)
Blockcutter's mark: Horikô Tashichi
改印：寅二改ヵ
彫師：彫工多七

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.