Actors Bandô Takesaburô I, Bandô Shûka I (R), Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII (C), Iwai Kumesaburô III, and Nakamura Fukusuke I (L)

初代坂東竹三郎、初代坂東しうか　　八代目市川団十郎　　三代目岩井粂三郎、初代中村福助

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Izutsuya Shôkichi, Japanese
Blockcutter: Ôtaya Takichi (Hori Takichi) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1854 (Kaei 7/Ansei 1), 2nd month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 34.7 x 73.2 cm (13 11/16 x 28 13/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44149a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.44149a-c (with wisteria background, publisher Izutsuya), 11.44150a-c (with checked fabric background, no publisher).
見立

11.44150a-cは、11.44149a-cから版元印を削り、背景を変えたもの。

Signed Ichiyôsai Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (on each sheet)
一陽斎豊国画(年玉枠)

Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Tiger 2
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Takichi
改印：改、寅二
彫師：彫多吉

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.