Poem by Ki no Tsurayuki: (Actor Nakamura Nakazô I as) Sekibei, from the series Comparisons for Thirty-six Selected Poems (Mitate sanjûrokkasen no uchi)

「見立三十六歌撰之内　紀貫之　関兵衛」　初代中村仲蔵

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 Number11.42686

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Haft, Aesthetic Strategies (2013), fig. 64; Osaka Castle Museum, Mitate no sekai (exh. cat., 2004), #6

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.36779.38, 11.42686

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: Sakura chiru/ ko no shita kaze wa/ samukarade/ sora ni shirarenu/ yuki zo furikeru
「桜ちる　木のしたかせは　寒からて　空にしられぬ　雪のそふりける」

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.