Arrowroot Flower of Shinoda Wood (Shinoda no kuzu no hana): (Actor Nakamura Shikan IV as) Fox Kuzunoha (Kuzunoha Kitsune), from the series Popular Matches for Thirty-six Selected Flowers (Tôsei mitate sanjûroku kasen)

「当盛見立三十六花撰（とうせいみたてさんじふろくくわせん）　信田の葛の花　葛ノ葉狐」　四代目中村芝翫

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Hiranoya Shinzô (Aikindô)
Blockcutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take)

Japanese

Edo period

1862 (Bunkyû 2), 2nd month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 35.4 x 24.2 cm (13 15/16 x 9 1/2 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.42400

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Osaka Castle Museum, Mitate no sekai (exh. cat., 2004), #39; Herwig, Heroes of the Kabuki Stage (2004), #9.1

DescriptionThe series: 36 sheets (11.42370-11.42405) plus title page (11.26606).
見立

Signed Kiô Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche
喜翁豊国画(年玉枠)

Marks Censor's seal: Dog 2 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Yokokawadô Hori Take
改印：戌二改
彫師：横川堂彫竹

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.