Poem by Kisen Hôshi: (Actor Matsumoto Kôshirô V as) Ishikawa Goemon, from the series Comparisons for Thirty-six Selected Poems (Mitate sanjûrokkasen no uchi)

「見立三十六歌撰之内　喜撰法師　石川五右エ門」　五代目松本幸四郎

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 Number11.42675

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Marks, Japanese Woodblock Prints (2010), p. 294; Osaka Castle Museum, Mitate no sekai (exh. cat., 2004), #1

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.36779.45, 11.42675

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: Miwataseba/ yanagi sakura o/ kokimazete/ miyako zo hana no/ nishiki narikeru
「見わたせば　柳さくらを　こきませて　都そ春の　にしきなりける」

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.