A Dutchman Capturing a Ferocious Tiger Alive (Ranjin môko o iketoru zu)
Kawanabe Kyôsai
(Japanese, 1831–1889)
Kanagaki Robun
(Japanese)
Ebisuya Shôshichi (Kinshôdô)
(Japanese)
Matsushima Masakichi (Hori Masa)
(Japanese)
1860 (Ansei 7/Man'en 1), 7th month
Medium/TechniqueWoodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
DimensionsVertical ôban; 36 x 25 cm (14 3/16 x 9 13/16 in.)
Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection
Accession number11.37046
On View
Not on viewClassificationsPrints
Collections
The earliest known published work signed by Kyōsai is this example of a "Yokohama print," prints showing the exotic foreigners in the treaty port of Yokohama, which had just been opened to foreign trade. Kyōsai was inspired by the exhibition of an actual, imported leopard (thought by the Japanese to be a variety of tiger) to create a fantastic scene of a round-eyed, brown-haired hunter in quasi-Chinese clothing, with an explanatory text by Kanagaki Robun.
ProvenanceBy 1911, purchased by William Sturgis Bigelow (b. 1850–d. 1926), Boston [see note 1]; 1911, gift of Bigelow to the MFA. (Accession Date: January 19, 2005)
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.
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.
