Actor Matsumoto Kinshô I as the Rônin Samojirô, from the series The Book of the Eight Dog Heroes (Hakkenden inu no sôshi no uchi)

「八犬傳いぬ乃さうしの内　浪士左母次郎（ろうしさもじろう）」　初代松本錦升

Utagawa Kunisada II (Kunimasa III, Toyokuni IV) (Japanese, 1823–1880)
Publisher: Tsutaya Kichizô (Kôeidô) (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Tsuge Shôjirô (Hori Shôji) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1852 (Kaei 5), 10th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 37.2 × 25.3 cm (14 5/8 × 9 15/16 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44543

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Chiba Museum, Hakkenden no sekai (2008), #46; Nihon no koten 16, Nansô Satomi Hakkenden (1976), p. 45

DescriptionNo. 9 of the Left group on the title page (11.39112).

MFA impressions: 11.39122, 11.44543

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

Marks Censors' seals: Fuku, Muramatsu, Rat 10
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Shôji
改印：福、村松、子十
彫師：彫庄治郎

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.