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Catching Fireflies by the Sumida River (Sumida no hotarugari): Actors Ichikawa Kodanji IV, Bandô Takesaburô I, Ôtani Tomomatsu I, Iwai Kumesaburô III (R), Suketakaya Takasuke III, Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII, Onoe Kikujirô II (C), Bandô Shûka I, Arashi Rikan III, and Arashi Rikaku II (L)


「隅田乃蛍狩」 四代目市川小団次、初代坂東竹三郎、初代大谷友松、三代目岩井粂三郎 三代目助高屋高助、八代目市川団十郎、二代目尾上菊次郎 初代坂東しうか、三代目嵐璃寛、二代目嵐璃珏
Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Tsujiokaya Bunsuke (Kinshôdô) (Japanese)
Japanese
Edo period
1853 (Kaei 6), 3rd month

Medium/Technique Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 35.4 x 73.3 cm (13 15/16 x 28 7/8 in.)
Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession Number11.29025-7
NOT ON VIEW
ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné Marks, Japanese Woodblock Prints (2010), p. 262
DescriptionTriptych: 11.29025 (center), 11.29026 (left), 11.29027 (right)

MFA impressions: 11.29025-7 (complete), *11.29142 (left sheet only; deaccessioned in 2012), 11.44084a-c (complete)
Signed Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (on each sheet)
豊国画(年玉枠)
Marks Censors' seals: Mera, Watanabe, Ox 3
No blockcutter's mark
改印:米良、渡辺、丑三
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.