Greeting the Audience at New Year (Kotobuki kôjô): Actors Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII and Ichimura Takenojô V, from an untitled series of Auspicious Plays (Kotobuki kyôgen)

「寿口上」五代目市川竹之丞、八代目市川団十郎

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Jôshûya Kinzô (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Hori Sashichi (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1851 (Kaei 4), 1st month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 36.5 x 24.8 cm (14 3/8 x 9 3/4 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.40295

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionAnnouncement of the name change of Ichimura Takenojô V, formerly Ichimura Uzaemon XII.

Play (interval between main and second feature): Kotobuki
Scene: Announcement
Play (main feature): Hôraisan Yotsugi Soga
Theater: Ichimura
蓬莱山世嗣曽我（ほうらいさんよつぎそが）
寿（ことぶき）
市村、一番目と二番目の間
1851、嘉永０４、01・13

<5>市村竹之丞改名の口上。

Signed Ichiyôsai Toyokuni ga
一陽斎豊国画

Marks Censors' seals: Hama, Magome
Blockcutter's mark: Sashichi tô
改印：浜、馬込
彫師：佐七刀

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.