[The Syllable Hi:] Yazama Jûtarô Mitsuoki, 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　矢間重太郎光興」　ひ

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese, 1797–1861)
Other artist: Utagawa Yoshitori-jo (Japanese, 1839–about 1870)
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; 36.1 x 25.5 cm (14 3/16 x 10 1/16 in.)

Credit Line Gift of Mrs. William Wheeler

Accession Number33.1166.52

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Robinson, Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints (1982), list #S90.13, as "Yazama Jûjirô Moto-oki (not seen)"

DescriptionMFA impressions: 33.1166.39, 33.1166.52

Signed Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga (on main image); Yoshitori-jo ga (on inset)
一勇斎国芳画、　芳鳥女画

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.