An Old Tale of Conflict in the East (Mukashi gatari Azuma no tatehiki): Actors Nakamura Shikan IV as Yottsuibishi Chôgorô (R), Bandô Hikosaburô V as Kogashira Mekurajimanohiko (C), Bandô Kamezô I as the Otokodate Kanehara (or Kinbara) no Kamezô, and Ichikawa Ichizô III as Mitsuhiki Ichigorô (L)

「昔語東立引」「四ツイ菱長五郎」四代目中村芝翫　　「小頭めくら島ノ彦」五代目坂東彦三郎　　「男達金原の亀蔵」初代坂東亀蔵、「三ッ引市五郎」三代目市川市蔵

Utagawa Yoshiiku (Japanese, 1833–1904)
Publisher: Ômiya Kyûjirô (Kiyûdô) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Uemura Yasugorô (Hori Yasu) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1860 (Ansei 7/Man'en 1), 10th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 36.5 × 74 cm (14 3/8 × 29 1/8 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.41161a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Hiraki Ukiyo-e Foundation, The Ôjaku Collection (2022), #233; related print by Kunisada: Waseda db 101-2726

DescriptionImaginary performance (mitate).
見立

Signed Yoshiiku ga (on right and left sheets), Ichieisai Yoshiiku ga (on center sheet)
芳幾画　一恵斎芳幾画

Marks Censor's seal: Monkey 10 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Yasu kokutô
改印：申十改
彫師：彫安刻刀

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.