Summer Chrysanthemum (Natsugiku): Actors Sawamura Tosshô II and Sawamura Yoshijirô I, from the series Selection of Ten Flowers Currently in Full Bloom (Tôsei jukkasen)

「当盛十花撰　夏菊」　二代目沢村訥升、初代沢村由次郎

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Utagawa Hiroshige I (Japanese, 1797–1858)
Publisher: Ebisuya Shōshichi (Kinshōdō) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take)

Japanese

Edo period

1858 (Ansei 5), 3rd month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 37.1 x 26.2 cm (14 5/8 x 10 5/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.42317

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Kurahashi, "Kunisada no yakusha sentaku," Ukiyo-e Art 170 (2015), fig. 2-9

DescriptionFrom a series first issued in 1854, in six sheets, under the title "Six Flowers...," and reissued in 1858 with four additional designs, under the title "Ten Flowers..." For the sheets already published, the censor's seals remain the same in the second edition; but the series title and some of the actors' faces are changed.

This print is one of the new designs.
見立

Signed Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (foreground); Hiroshige hitsu (background)
豊国画(年玉枠)、広重筆

Marks Censor's seal: Horse 3
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Take
改印：午三
彫師：彫竹

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.