Lifesized Dolls (Iki ningyô) of Shinto, Confucian, and Buddhist Figures, on Exhibit at the Hachiman Shrine in Fukagawa

Utagawa Kunitsuru (Japanese, 1807–78)

Yamashiroya Shinroku

1856 (Ansei 3), 3rd month

Medium/TechniqueWoodblock print (sumizuri-e); ink on paper

Dimensions35.1 x 49.4 cm (13 13/16 x 19 7/16 in.)

Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession number11.45604

On View

Not on view

ClassificationsPrints

Collections

Inscriptions「御町中様益々御機嫌能く御座遊ばされ恐悦至極に存じ奉り候。随て私義昨年中浅草において瀬戸物細工□仕り候所、御贔屓に預かり候に付き上坂致すべしと存じ候所、人形町の御引き立てに預かり、幸い当春は成田山の御開帳もこれあり候間、何がな珍しき人形細工御覧に入れ候ハば御慰みにも相成るべしと、有難き御進めに、取り敢えず神儒仏に基き人形取り仕組み御覧に入れ奉り候間、初日より仰せ合され永当〳〵御来駕の程、偏に希い上げ奉り候、以上」

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.