Actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VII as Mongaku praying in Nachi Waterfall and Matsumoto Kôshirô V as Fudô Myôô

Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)

about 1829–32 (Bunsei 12–Tenpô 3)

Medium/TechniqueWoodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper

DimensionsShikishiban, upright diptych; 39.2 x 17.6 cm (15 7/16 x 6 15/16 in.)

Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession number11.15063

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ClassificationsPrints

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Description

The 12^th-century monk Mongaku was famed for his almost superhuman austerities. He vowed to sit under the Nachi waterfall for twenty-one days during winter, reciting an invocation to the Buddhist deity Fudō Myōō. Unlike other kabuki surimono, this print does not commemorate an actual performance, but instead represents an imagined performance, placing these two stars—whose families were closely related—in roles together.

InscriptionsPoem by Umenoya: Katageyuku/ nawa makidaru no/ takisui ni/ nioi o amiru/ ume no oikaze かたけゆく縄まき樽の滝水に匂ひをあみるうめの追風　　梅廼屋

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.