Actor Nakamura Fukusuke II as Kasagawa no Higezô, from the series A Modern Shuihuzhuan (Kinsei Suikoden)

「近世水滸伝　笠川の髭造　中村福助」（二代目）

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Text by: Kanagaki Robun (Kinton Donjin) (Japanese, 1829–1894)
Publisher: Iseya Kanekichi (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Horikô Ko-Kin (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1861 (Man'en 2/Bunkyû 1), 7th month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper

Dimensions Vertical ôban;: 36.2 x 25 cm (14 1/4 x 9 13/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.42775

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Iwakiri et al., Edo no eiyû (2010), #103; Marks, Japanese Woodblock Prints (2010), p. 295; the series: Kokubungaku kenkyû shiryôkan, ed., Zusetsu mitate to yatsushi (2008), pp. 85-96, cat. nos. 76-86 (this design not illustrated)

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

Marks Censor's seal: Chicken 7 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Horikô Ko-Kin
改印：酉七改
彫師：彫工小金

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.