Actor Iwai Shijaku I (Iwai Hanshirô VII) as Shakuhachi's Wife Hitoyo, from the series The Book of the Eight Dog Heroes (Hakkenden inu no sôshi no uchi)

「八犬傳犬の草紙之内　尺八女房ひとよ（しゃくはちにょうぼうひとよ）」　初代岩井紫若（七代目岩井半四郎）

Utagawa Kunisada II (Kunimasa III, Toyokuni IV) (Japanese, 1823–1880)
Publisher: Tsutaya Kichizô (Kôeidô) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take)

Japanese

Edo period

1852 (Kaei 5), 9th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 36.8 × 24.9 cm (14 1/2 × 9 13/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44511

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Chiba Museum, Hakkenden no sekai (2008), #61; Zusetsu Nihon no koten 19, Kyokutei Bakin (1980), fig. 74

DescriptionNo. 16 of the Right group on the title page (11.39112).

MFA impressions: 11.39153, 11.44511

Signed Kunisada ga, in toshidama cartouche
国貞画(年玉枠)

Marks Censors' seals: Hama, Magome, Rat 9
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Take
改印：浜、馬込、子九
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.