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The Syllable Ku for Kumo no Taema: Actors Nakamura Fukusuke I as Kumo no Taema and Bandô Shûka I as the Female Narukami (Onna Narukami), from the series Seven Calligraphic Models for Each Character in the Kana Syllabary (Seisho nanatsu iroha)


「清書七以呂盤 (く) くものたえま」初代中村福助、「女なるかみ」 初代坂東しうか
Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Yamaguchiya Tōbei (Kinkōdō) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1856 (Ansei 3), 6th month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban; 35.3 x 24.1 cm (13 7/8 x 9 1/2 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.42718
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Signed Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche
豊国画(年玉枠)
Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Dragon 6
No blockcutter's mark
改印:改、辰六
彫師:なし
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.