Announcement of the First Performance at the Sawamura Theater (Sawamura-za butai-biraki kôjô): Actors Sawamura Tanosuke III (R), Sawamura Tosshô II, with Sawamura Hyakunosuke I (C), and Nakamura Shikan IV (L)

「沢村座舞台開口上」　「中村芝翫」（四代目）、「沢村訥升」（二代目）、「沢村田之助」（三代目）、沢村百之助

Toyohara Kunichika (Japanese, 1835–1900)
Publisher: Gusokuya Kahei (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Watanabe Eizô (Hori Ei) (Japanese, 1833–1901)

Japanese

Meiji era

1874 (Meiji 7), 11th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.8 × 71 cm (14 1/8 × 27 15/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.41774a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Waseda db 120-0114 (R), 120-0115 (C), 120-0116 (L)

DescriptionThe date seal is blank, but the theater opened in 1874. It was not financially successful and closed soon afterward.

Signed Ôju Toyohara Kunichika hitsu
応需豊原国周筆

Marks Censor's seal: (blank)
Blockcutter's mark: Watanabe Hori Ei
改印：（空）
彫師：渡辺彫栄

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.