Poem by Fujiwara no Toshiyuki Ason: (Actor Ichikawa Kodanji IV as) the Ghost of Kasane (Kasane no bôkon), from the series Comparisons for Thirty-six Selected Poems (Mitate sanjûrokkasen no uchi)

「見立三十六歌撰之内　藤原繁行朝臣　累の亡魂」　四代目市川小団次

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

Japanese

Edo period

1852 (Kaei 5), 9th 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 Number11.42671

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Ôta Mem. Mus., Edo yôkai dai zukan (2014), #96; Marks, Japanese Woodblock Prints (2010), p. 297

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.36779.57, 11.42671

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

Marks Censors' seals: Hama, Magome, Rat 9
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Take
改印：浜、馬込、子九
彫師：彫竹

InscriptionsPoem (Kokinshû 169): Aki kinu to/ me ni wa sayaka ni/ mienedomo/ kaze no oto ni zo/ odorokare uru
「秋来ぬと　目にはさやかに　見へねとも　風の音にそ　おとろかれぬる」

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.