Actors Kawarazaki Gonjûrô I as Yohei, the Son-in-Law of the Furniture Store (Dôguya muko), Iwai Yonejirô I as Otake, a Worker at the Furniture Store (Dôguya naka hataraki) (R), Bandô Hikosaburô V as Mamushi no Jirokichi, Nakamura Ganpachi I as Tsujiura Kentoku, Nakayama Genjûrô II as the Clerk (Bantô) Tôhachi (C), Iwai Shijaku II as Okame, the Daughter of the Furniture Store (Dôguya musume), and Ichikawa Yaozô as Uoya Kisaburô (L)

「道具屋むこ与兵衛　河原崎権十郎」（初代）、「道具屋仲はたらきお竹　岩井米次郎」（初代）　　「悪物まむし次郎吉　坂東彦三郎」（五代目）、「辻浦けんとく　中村鴈八」（初代）、「番頭藤八　中山現十郎」（二代目）　　「道具屋娘おかめ　岩井紫若」（二代目）、「魚屋喜三郎　市川八百蔵」(六代目)

Utagawa Kunisada II (Kunimasa III, Toyokuni IV) (Japanese, 1823–1880)
Publisher: Iseya Tetsujirô (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Katada Chôjirô (Hori Chô) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1864 (Bunkyû 4/Genji 1), 2nd month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.6 × 74 cm (14 × 29 1/8 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.38981a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionMFA impressions: *11.29141 (right sheet only; deaccessioned in 2019), 11.38752a-c, 11.38981a-c

Play: Mukashi-banashi Homare Soga
Theater: Nakamura
昔噺誉曽我（むかしばなしほまれそが）、道具屋の場
中村
1864、文久０４、02・15

Signed Kunisada ga, in toshidama cartouche (on each sheet)
国貞画(年玉枠）

Marks Censor's seal: Rat 2 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Katada Hori Chô
改印：子二改
彫師：片田彫長

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.