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Subject:Would appreciate verification of which Toyokuni Did It
Posted By: Bill H Sun, Aug 27, 2017 IP: 76.106.199.250

I've been trying to plumb the depths of collections at the Boston museum of Fine Arts to verify my hunch that this print is by Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III). An exact match for the date and censor seals, though I found some "close but no cigar" candidates in the 1850's and 60's. I did find apparent evidence that Toyokuni 3 had used what I take to be the nickname nest to his signature.

For some reason the MFA Boston's digital side is not friendly with my IE-11 browser but tends to make it crash regularly for no particular reason this I can identify. Anyway, after two days of trying to find a museum collection example of this particular print, I've come up empty-handed, except I did find another print by Utagawa Kunisada I dated to the 1830's and with a geisha figure in virtually the same pose. Another "close but no cigar", but I include the details in case of interest:

When an East Wind Melts the Ice (Tôfû kôri o toku), from the series Seventy-two Seasons (Shichijûni kô)
「七十二候 「東風解凍(とうふうこほりをとく)」
Japanese
Edo period
about early 1830s
Artist Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III) (Japanese, 1786–1864)

Dimensions
Vertical ôban; 37 x 25.7 cm (14 9/16 x 10 1/8 in.)
Accession Number
34.527
Medium or Technique
Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper
Not on View
Collections
Asia, Prints and Drawings
Classifications
Prints
Signed
Kôchôrô Kunisada ga
香蝶楼国貞画
Markings
Censor's seal: kiwame
改印:極
Provenance
1934, bequest of Nellie Parney Carter to the MFA. (Accession Date: October 4, 1934)
Credit Line
Nellie Parney Carter Collection—Bequest of Nellie Parney Carter

Museum of Fine Arts Boston


I'm hoping someone recognizes the first print show and can point me in the right direction to the details. I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks,

Bill H.








Subject:Re: Would appreciate verification of which Toyokuni Did It
Posted By: I. Nagy Mon, Aug 28, 2017

Hi Bill,
The first print reads,
藝者ミよ吉  Geisha Miyokichi
This is the right side of a diptychon depicting
the Kabuki actor Iwai Kumejiro in the role of
Geisha Miyokichi.
On the missing left side the actor Kawarazaki Gonjuro is depicted in the role of Hozumi
Shinzaburo.

As of the mark next to Toyokuni(III) signature
cartouche reads 彫竹 (Horitake) and on some
other prints 横川彫竹 (Yokokawa Horitake)
is the blockcutter's mark.
Yokokawa Horitake was a famous blockcutter of the time.Toyokuni (III) formed a pair with him.
With regards,

Subject:Re: Would appreciate verification of which Toyokuni Did It
Posted By: Guy Mon, Aug 28, 2017

Bill,

Have look at the link to the complete kabuki diptych with full description in the collection of the MFA Boston below.

The hankerchief clenched between the teeth of the female character (a male actor in an onnagata role) indicates passion or to be more direct, arousal.

Guy.

URL Title :Iwai Kumesaburô III as Geisha Miyokichi


Subject:Re: Would appreciate verification of which Toyokuni Did It
Posted By: Stan Mon, Aug 28, 2017

Bill,

You are correct. The first print is by Kunisada signing as Toyokuni (Toyokuni III). As best as I can tell from the censor seal, it dates 1843-45.

The second print is signed Kunisada and is earlier (when he was better).

Cheers,
Stan

Subject:Re: Would appreciate verification of which Toyokuni Did It
Posted By: Stan Mon, Aug 28, 2017

I found it. See link below to help you on your way.

Cheers,
Stan

URL Title :Iwai Kumesaburô III as Geisha Miyokichi


Subject:Re: Would appreciate verification of which Toyokuni Did It
Posted By: Bill H Tue, Aug 29, 2017

My heartfelt thanks to all three respondents, I. Nagy, Guy and Stan, for assistance on this print. It serves up a most useful learning experience for me. I'd actually searched the MFA Boston collections using "Geisha" and "Actors" as keywords and am convinced now that I overlooked the print because the MFA's example was in such great condition compared to mine that I didn't recognize it in the MFA thumbnail. I also had the publishers name, based on the hexagonal part, but hadn't tried it before my browser problems prompted the cry for help. What I need most is to hone my skills in sorting out the correct transliteration of kanji.

Much obliged the help,

Bill H.

Subject:Re: Would appreciate verification of which Toyokuni Did It
Posted By: Stan Wed, Aug 30, 2017

Bill,

You're welcome. You were very helpful with questions I had about a Japanese pot. Glad to be able to return the favor.

Cheers,
Stan


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