Actors Iwai Kumesaburô III as the Weaver (Shokujo), One of the Paired Stars (Futatsuboshi no sei) (R), Ichikawa Kodanji IV as the Night-crawling Star (Yobaiboshi no sei) (C), and Kawarazaki Gonjûrô I as the Cowherd (Kengyû), One of the Paired Stars (L)

「二星ノ精織女」三代目岩井粂三郎　　「夜這星の精」四代目市川小団次　　「二星ノ精牽牛」初代河原崎権十郎

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Ebisuya Shôshichi (Kinshôdô) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take)

Japanese

Edo period

1859 (Ansei 6), 9th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.4 x 74.2 cm (13 15/16 x 29 3/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44238a-c

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionPlay (shosa, finale of Part 2): Jitsugetsusei Chûya no Oriwake
Play (main feature): Kanadehon Chûshingura
Theater: Ichimura
日月星昼夜織分（じつげつせいちゅうやのおりわけ）　常磐津、清元、義太夫
仮名手本忠臣蔵（かなでほんちゅうしんぐら）
市村、二番目大切
1859、安政０６

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

Marks Censor's seal: Goat 9 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Take
改印：未九改
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.