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「江戸の華名勝会 さ 三番組」 「三田」 「渡辺の綱 中村芝翫」（四代目）
Sa Brigade, Third Group, Mita: Actor Nakamura Shikan IV as Watanabe no Tsuna, from the series Flowers of Edo and Views of Famous Places (Edo no hana meishô-e)
「江戸の華名勝会 さ 三番組」 「三田」 「渡辺の綱 中村芝翫」（四代目）
Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Other artist: Kawanabe Kyôsai (Japanese, 1831–1889)
Publisher: Katôya Iwazô (Seibei) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Koizumi Minokichi (Hori Mino) (Japanese, 1833–1906)
Other artist: Kawanabe Kyôsai (Japanese, 1831–1889)
Publisher: Katôya Iwazô (Seibei) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Koizumi Minokichi (Hori Mino) (Japanese, 1833–1906)
Japanese
Edo period
1863 (Bunkyû 3), 12th month
Medium/Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 36.4 x 25 cm (14 5/16 x 9 13/16 in.)
Credit Line
William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.42514
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings
ClassificationsPrints
DescriptionThe term “flowers of Edo” (Edo no hana) can refer, among other things, to fires. The title panel for each print in this series shows the lanterns and identifying standard (matoi) for one of the brigades of firefighters (hikeshi) assigned to various districts. On the west side of the Sumida River were 48 brigades named for the symbols of the kana syllabary and grouped into 8 numbered groups (1 to 10, minus the bad-luck numbers 4 and 7). On the east side of the river, brigades were numbered and assigned to directional groups. Outlying districts were covered by special brigades, here designated “extra” (bangai). Each title gives the name or number of a brigade, its group, and its district, followed by the kabuki scene chosen to match it.
(見立)
(見立)
Signed
Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (bottom center); Chikamaro sha (bottom left), Ôju Seisei Kyôsai (top)
豊国画(年玉枠)、周麿写、応需惺々狂斎
豊国画(年玉枠)、周麿写、応需惺々狂斎
Marks
Censor's seal: Boar 12 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Mino
改印: 亥十二改
彫師: 彫巳の
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Mino
改印: 亥十二改
彫師: 彫巳の
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.
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.