A Ferryboat on the Sumida River (Sumidagawa wataribune no zu): Actors Kataoka Gadô II as Kameya Chûbei, Iwai Kumesaburô III as Tsuchiya Umegawa (R), Bandô Shûka I as Hitomaru no Oroku, Nakamura Fukusuke I as Echigo Zenkichi, Bandô Takesaburô I as Hayano Kanpei (C), Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Tennichibô, and Arashi Kichisaburô III as Boatman (Sendô) Sôkichi (L)

「隅田川渡舟之図」「亀屋忠兵衛」二代目片岡我童、「槌屋梅川」三代目岩井粂三郎　　「人丸ノお六」初代坂東しうか、「越後善吉」初代中村福助、「早野勘平」初代坂東竹三郎　　天日坊」四代目市川小団次、「船頭惣吉」三代目嵐吉三郎

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Hayashiya Shôgorô (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take)

Japanese

Edo period

1854 (Kaei 7/Ansei 1), 12th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.9 x 75.2 cm (14 1/8 x 29 5/8 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44141a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionImaginary scene (mitate) with various characters from plays presented at the three theaters in 1854.
見立

嘉永7年度に三座で上演された芝居の中から選ぶ。

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

Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Tiger 12
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Take
改印：改、寅十二
彫師：彫竹

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.