Plum: Actors Arashi Kichisaburô III as Tôken Gonbei, Comparable to Yang Zhi (Yôshi ni hisu) (R); Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Danshichi Kurobei, Comparable to Ruan Xiaoer (Genshôji hisu) (C); and Iwai Kumesaburô III as Yakko no Koman, Comparable to Little Sanniang [=Hu Sanniang] (Kosanjô ni hisu) (L), from the series A Modern Shuihuzhuan (Tôsei suikoden)

「当世好男子伝」梅　「楊志ニ比ス唐犬権兵衛」三代目嵐吉三郎　「阮小二比ス団七九郎兵衛」四代目市川小団次　「小三娘比ス奴ノ小万」三代目岩井粂三郎

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Hayashiya Shôgorô (Japanese)
Blockcutter: Yokokawa Takejirô (Hori Take)

Japanese

Edo period

1859 (Ansei 6), 8th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 38 x 77.9 cm (14 15/16 x 30 11/16 in.)

Credit Line Bequest of William Perkins Babcock

Accession Number00.921, 00.922, 00.955

NOT ON VIEW

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

Catalogue Raisonné MFA, Kuniyoshi & Kunisada (2016), #10; Iwakiri et al., Edo no eiyû II (2010), #48 (C only); Kokubungaku kenkyû shiryôkan, ed., Zusetsu mitate to yatsushi (2008), pp. 82-5, cat. nos. 73 (R), 74 (C), 75 (L)

DescriptionTriptych: 00.921 (right), 00.922 (center), 00.955 (left)

MFA impressions: 00.921VR (00.921, 00.922, 00.955), 11.15474 (right sheet only), 11.29736VR (11.29736, 11.42436, 11.42437)

Signed Konomi ni makase Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (on each sheet)
任好豊国画(年玉枠)

Marks Censor's seal: Goat 8 aratame
Blockcutter's mark: Yokokawa Hori Take
改印：未八改
彫師：横川彫竹

ProvenanceBy 1900, William Perkins Babcock (b. 1826 - d. 1899), Boston and Paris; 1900, bequest of William Perkins Babcock to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 05, 1900)