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The Night Attack of the Faithful Samurai (Gishi youchi zu)


「義士夜討図」
Utagawa Yoshitsuya (Japanese, 1822–1866)
Publisher: Tsutaya Kichizô (Kôeidô) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1857 (Ansei 4), 9th month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.3 × 74.3 cm (13 7/8 × 29 1/4 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.22908-10
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné King and Iwakiri, Japanese Warrior Prints (2007), #206 (complete hexaptych)
DescriptionTriptych (left half of hexaptych): 11.22908 (left), 11.22909 (center), 11.22910 (right)

MFA impressions: 00.1252-4, 11.22908-10, 11.39709a-c
Right half of hexaptych: 00.1381VR (00.1381, 00.1382, 00.1405; earlier), 00.1816-8 (later)
Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga (on each sheet)
一英斎芳艶画
Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Snake 9
No blockcutter's mark
改印:改、巳九
彫師:なし
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850 – d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: August 3, 1911)

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.