The Syllable Wa: Tomimori Sukeemon Masakata from the series Mirror of the True Loyalty of Each of the Faithful Retainers (Seichû gishin meimei kagami)

「誠忠義臣名々鏡　富守祐右衛門正固　わ」

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861)
Other artist: Utagawa Yoshi-jo (Japanese, 1842–about 1885)
Publisher: Horikoshi (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1857 (Ansei 4), 3rd month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban; 36.5 x 25 cm (14 3/8 x 9 13/16 in.)

Credit Line Gift of Mrs. William Wheeler

Accession Number33.1166.12

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Robinson, Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints (1982), list #S90.27

Signed Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga (on main image); Yoshi-jo (on inset)
一勇斎国芳画、　よし女

Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Snake 3
No blockcutter's mark
改印：改、巳三
彫師：なし

ProvenanceBetween 1876 and 1880, acquired in Japan by William Wheeler (b. 1851 - d. 1932) and Fannie (Hubbard) Wheeler (b. 1853 - d. 1942), Concord, MA [see note]; 1933, gift of Mrs. William Wheeler to the MFA. (Accession date: December 15, 2006)

NOTE:
William Wheeler worked as an educator and engineer in Hokkaido, Japan from 1876 to 1880. He served as the president of Sapporo Agricultural College from 1877-1879.