Poem by Minamoto no Kintada no Ason: (Actor Iwai Shijaku I, later Iwai Hanshirô VII, as) Takao, from the series Comparisons for Thirty-six Selected Poems (Mitate sanjûrokkasen no uchi)

「見立三十六歌撰之内　源公忠朝臣　高尾」　初代岩井紫若（七代目岩井半四郎）

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

Japanese

Edo period

1852 (Kaei 5), 11th 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 Number11.42685

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Kokubungaku kenkyû shiryôkan, ed., Zusetsu mitate to yatsushi (2008), p. 67, cat. no. 57

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.36779.53, 11.42685

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

Marks Censors' seals: Mera, Watanabe, Rat 11
Blockcutter's mark: Yokokawa Hori Take
改印：米良、渡辺、子十一
彫師：横川彫竹

InscriptionsPoem (from Ôkagami): Yukiyarade/ yamaji kurashitsu/ hototogisu/ ima hitokoe no/ kikamahoshisa ni
「行やらて　やまちくらしつ　ほとゝきす　今一こゑの　きかまほしさに」

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.