Imaginary Scene of Actors Catching Fireflies: Jewels Shining in the Dark (Mitate hotarugari yakô no tamazoroi): Kataoka Gadô II, Ichikawa Kodanji IV (R); Iwai Kumesaburô III, Ichimura Uzaemon XIII (C); Nakamura Fukusuke I, Bandô Takesaburô I (L)

「見立蛍狩夜光玉揃」　右から　二代目片岡我童、四代目市川小団次　三代目岩井粂三郎、十三代目市村羽左衛門　初代中村福助、初代坂東竹三郎

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

Japanese

Edo period

1855 (Ansei 2), 6th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.5 x 73.2 cm (14 x 28 13/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44189a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionMFA impressions: 11.29119VR (11.29119, 11.29120, 11.29769), 11.29278-80, 11.44189a-c
見立

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

Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Hare 6
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Take
改印：改、卯六
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.