Actor Segawa Kikunojô V as the Nun Myôchin, from the series The Book of the Eight Dog Heroes (Hakkenden inu no sôshi no uchi)

「八犬傳犬之草紙廼内　尼妙椿（あまみょうちん）」　五代目瀬川菊之丞

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), 12th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 37 × 25.1 cm (14 9/16 × 9 7/8 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.44552

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Marks, Japanese Woodblock Prints (2010), p. 270; Chiba Museum, Hakkenden no sekai (2008), #78; Zusetsu Nihon no koten 19, Kyokutei Bakin (1980), fig. 18

DescriptionNo. 24 of the Right group on the title page (11.39112).

MFA impressions: 11.39161, 11.44552

Signed Ichijusai Kunisada ga, in toshidama cartouche
一寿斎国貞画(年玉枠)

Marks Censors' seals: Kinugasa, Murata, Rat 12
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Tsuge Shôji
改印：衣笠、村田、子十二
彫師：彫津下庄治

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.