The Syllables I, Ro, and Ha: Actors Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Kômori Yasu and Iwai Kumesaburô III as Otomi, from the series Dodoitsu Songs for the Forty-eight Characters of the Kana Syllabary (Iroha yonjûhachi moji kanmuri Dodoitsu)

「いろは四十八文字冠都々一」「い」「ろ」「は」四代目市川小団次の蝙蝠安、三代目岩井粂三郎のお富

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Other artist: Utagawa Kunihisa II (Japanese, 1832–1891)
Publisher: Kogaya Katsugorô (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Uemura Yasugorô (Hori Yasu) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1860 (Ansei 7/Man'en 1), 9th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 35.7 x 24.3 cm (14 1/16 x 9 9/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.40140

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Signed Konomi ni makase Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (figures); Kunihisa ga (landscape)
任好豊国画(年玉枠)、国久画

Marks Censor's seal: Monkey 9 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Yasu
改印：申九改
彫師：彫安

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.