The Number 100,000,000 (Oku) for Okuni Kabuki: Actors Nakamura Fukusuke I as Nagoya Sanza, with Iwai Kumesaburô III, from the series Seven Calligraphic Models for Each Character in the Kana Syllabary, Supplement (Nanatsu iroha shûi)

Signed

Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche 豊国画(年玉枠)

Marks

Censor's seals: aratame, Dragon 8 No blockcutter's mark

Provenance

By 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850–d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 29, 2004) 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.

Credit Line

William Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Japanese, Edo period, 1856 (Ansei 3), 8th month

• Artist Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), Japanese, 1786–1864
• Publisher Yamaguchiya Tôbei (Kinkôdô), Japanese

Collections

Asia

Classifications

Prints