Fukuroi: The Legend of Sakura-ga-ike (Sakura-ga-ike no yurai), from the series Fifty-three Pairings for the Tôkaidô Road (Tôkaidô gojûsan tsui)

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

Iseya Ichiemon (Japanese)

Matsushima Fusajirô (Horikô Fusajirô, Hori Fusa) (Japanese)

about 1845–46 (Kôka 2–3)

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

DimensionsVertical ôban; 35.8 x 24.5 cm (14 1/8 x 9 5/8 in.)

Credit LineWilliam Sturgis Bigelow Collection

Accession number11.45385.28

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ClassificationsPrints

Collections

Inscriptions桜が池の由来　ある夜法然上人の庵へ女性来りて　我は艮嶽（こんがく）の源空阿闍梨より龍善二会の暁（さとり）をまたんため桜が池に入宮して今は龍身となれり　然るに惣身の鱗の合に数万の虫わきて日に三度夜に二度身を苦むる事堪がたし　あはれ桜が池に来て此苦みをたすけてたへ　と涙を落して頼ける　上人夢覚めて桜が池に至り給へは　水中より化龍顕れ上人と答和す　上人龍に向給ひて称名念仏し給へは　ふしぎや惣身の鱗落てなめらかになり　うれしけに　永くみろくの世をまたん　とて　又水中にいりしとなり

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.