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Poem by Sei Shônagon, from the series Five Poetic Immortals of the Pear-blossom Courtyard (Nashitsubo gokasen)


「梨壷五歌仙 清少納言」
Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Wakasaya Yoichi (Jakurindô) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1843–44 (Tenpô 14–Kôka 1)

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban; 35.6 x 24.5 cm (14 x 9 5/8 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.43037
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné The series: Schaap, Kunisada (exh. cat., 2016), checklist 1-91, photo p. 162
DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.21932 (first edition), 11.43036 (first edition), 11.43037 (later edition with different head)
Signed Kôchôrô Kunisada ga
香蝶楼国貞画
Marks Censor's seal: Watari
No blockcutter's mark
改印:渡
彫師:なし
InscriptionsPoem: Yo o komete/ tori no sorane wa/ hakaru to mo/ yo ni ausaka no/ seki wa yurusaji
「夜をこめて鳥のそらねははかるとも世にあふさかの関はゆるさじ」
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.