Actors Bandô Shûka I as the Ruling Class (Shi) (R), Seki Sanjûrô III as the Artisan Class (Kô), Nakamura Utaemon IV as the Farming Class (Nô) (C), and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as the Merchant Class (Shô) (L), from the Dance of the Four Social Classes (Shisei shosa no uchi)

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Actors Bandô Shûka I as the Ruling Class (Shi) (R), Seki Sanjûrô III as the Artisan Class (Kô), Nakamura Utaemon IV as the Farming Class (Nô) (C), and Ichimura Uzaemon XII as the Merchant Class (Shô) (L), from the Dance of the Four Social Classes (Shisei shosa no uchi)

「四性ノ所作ノ内　士」初代坂東しうか　　「四性の内　工」三代目関三十郎、「四性の内　農」四代目中村歌右衛門　　「四性所作ノ内　商」十二代目市村羽左衛門

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Ebisuya Shôshichi (Kinshôdô) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1849 (Kaei 2), 4th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.5 x 73.4 cm (14 x 28 7/8 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.39686a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.39686a-c, 11.45549a-c

Play (shosa): Yomi to Uta Tosa-e no Irodori
Play (main feature): Omegumi ni Uruo Iwafuji
Theater: Ichimura
四民歌土佐画彩（よみとうたとさえのいろどり）　常磐津
恵閏初夏藤（おめぐみにうるをいわふじ）
市村、二番目大切

Signed Kôchôrô Toyokuni ga (on right sheet), Ôju Toyokuni ga (on center sheet), Ichiyôsai Toyokuni ga (on left sheet)
香蝶楼豊国画(年玉印)　応需豊国画(年玉印)　一陽斎豊国画(年玉印)

Marks Censors' seals: Fuku, Muramatsu
No blockcutter's mark
改印：福、村松
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.