Actors Onoe Kikugorô IV as Hanji's Wife (Nyôbô) Kumasaka Ochô (R), Bandô Kamezô I as Settanaoshi Chôgorô (C), and Nakamura Kamenojô I as Oteru, Daughter of the Yamazakiya (Yamazakiya musume Oteru) (L)

「半次女房熊坂お長」四代目尾上菊五郎　「せつた直し長五郎」初代坂東亀蔵　「山崎屋娘おてる」初代中村歌女之丞

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

Japanese

Edo period

1855 (Ansei 2), 12th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 34.5 x 75.1 cm (13 9/16 x 29 9/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44170a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionPlay (second feature): Yume Musubu Chô ni Torioi
Play (main feature): Tsuru wa Chitose Suehiro Soga
Theater: Ichimura
夢結蝶鳥追（ゆめむすぶちょうにとりおい）
鶴松扇曽我（つるはちとせすえひろそが）
市村、二番目
1856、安政０３、03・07

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

Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Hare 12
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Take
改印：改、卯十二
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.