Actors Bandô Hikosaburô V as Komurasaki, actually Gonpachi (R), Kawarazaki Gonjûrô I as Akane Tabiya Hanshichi (C), and Sawamura Tanosuke III as Minoya Sankatsu (L)

「小紫実ハ権八　板東彦三郎」（五代目）　「茜足袋屋半七　河原崎権十郎」（初代）　「みのや三勝　沢村田之助」（三代目）

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

Japanese

Edo period

1863 (Bunkyû 3), 1st month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35 × 73.4 cm (13 3/4 × 28 7/8 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.38983a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.38969VR (11.38969, 11.38984a-b), 11.38983a-c

Play: Tamakushige Akebono Soga
Theater: Nakamura
宝九字匣曙曽我（たまくしげあけぼのそが）
中村
1863、文久０３

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

Marks Censor's seal: Boar 1 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Chô
改印：亥正改
彫師：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.