Poem by Ariwara no Narihira Ason: (Actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as) Seigen, from the series Comparisons for Thirty-six Selected Poems (Mitate sanjûrokkasen no uchi)

「見立三十六歌撰之内　有原業平朝臣　清玄」　八代目市川団十郎

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Iseya Kanekichi (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take)

Japanese

Edo period

1852 (Kaei 5), 10th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 35.9 x 24.3 cm (14 1/8 x 9 9/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.42663

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné MFA, Kuniyoshi & Kunisada (2016), #25; Mueller et al., Competition and Collaboration (2007), #136; Osaka Castle Museum, Mitate no sekai (exh. cat., 2004), #8; Izzard, Kunisada's World (1993), #91; Addiss, Japanese Ghosts and Demons (1985, 2005), p. 67

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.36779.43, 11.42663

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

Marks Censors' seals: Fuku, Muramatsu, Rat 10
Blockcutter's mark: Yokokawa Hori Take
改印：福、村松、子十
彫師：横川彫竹

InscriptionsPoem: Yo no naka ni/ taete sakura no/ nakariseba/ haru no kokoro wa/ nodokekaramashi

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.