Popularity Contest of Young Lavender Plants (Wakamurasaki ryûkô kurabe): Actors Iwai Kumesaburô III and Nakamura Fukusuke I (R); Nakamura Danjûrô VIII and Onoe Kikujirô II (C); and Bandô Takesaburô I and Bandô Shûka I (L)

DEACESSIONED October 25, 2012

Popularity Contest of Young Lavender Plants (Wakamurasaki ryûkô kurabe): Actors Iwai Kumesaburô III and Nakamura Fukusuke I (R); Nakamura Danjûrô VIII and Onoe Kikujirô II (C); and Bandô Takesaburô I and Bandô Shûka I (L)

「若紫流行競」　三代目岩井粂三郎、初代中村福助　八代目市川団十郎、二代目尾上菊次郎　初代坂東竹三郎、初代坂東しうか

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)
Publisher: Izutsuya Shôkichi, Japanese
Blockcutter: Ôta Komakichi (Hori Koma, Hori Tashichi) (Japanese)

Japanese

Edo period

1854 (Kaei 7/Ansei 1), 4th month

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

Dimensions Vertical ôban triptych; 34.7 x 73 cm (13 11/16 x 28 3/4 in.)

Credit Line William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession Number11.29511-3

CollectionsAsia, Prints and Drawings

ClassificationsPrints

DescriptionTriptych: *11.29511 (left), *11.29512 (center), *11.29513 (right)

MFA impressions: 11.15160a-c, *11.29511-3 (deaccessioned in 2012)

Signed Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche (on each sheet)
豊国画(年玉枠)

Marks Censor's seals: aratame, Tiger 4
Blockcutter's mark: Hori Koma
改印：改、寅四
彫師：彫駒

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.