Actors Bandô Takesaburô I as Senzai (R), Arashi Rikaku II as Marionette (Ayatsuri) Sanbasô (C), and Bandô Shûka I as Okina (L)

「せんざゐ」初代坂東竹三郎　「操り三番叟」二代目嵐璃珏　「をきな」初代坂東しうか

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Izumiya Ichibei (Kansendô) (Japanese)
Publisher: Daikyû (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1853 (Kaei 6), 2nd month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.5 x 74.7 cm (14 x 29 7/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44098a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionPlay (shosa, finale of Part 2, first section): Yanagi no Ito Hiku ya Gohiiki
Play (main feature): Shiranui Monogatari
Theater: Kawarazaki
柳糸引御摂（やなぎのいとひくやごひいき）　長唄
しらぬひ譚（しらぬいものがたり）、上の巻
河原崎、二番目大
1853、嘉永０６、02・10

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

Marks Censors' seals: Fuku, Muramatsu, Ox 2
No blockcutter's mark
改印：福、村松、丑二
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.