Images

Onitsutaya Azamino and Gontarō, a Man of the World

(Onitsutaya Azamino, isami-tsū Gontarō), from the series

True Feelings Compared: The Founts of Love

(Jitsu kurabe iro no minakami)

Artist: Kitagawa Utamaro I, (?)–1806

Publisher: Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudō)

Japanese, Edo period, about 1798–1799 (Kansei 10–11). Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical ōban.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Frederic Langenbach in memory of Charles Hovey Pepper, 54.1519.

Photograph © 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Donald Richie in a bookstore, Kanda, Tokyo, ca. 1955.

Zhang Shun, the White Streak in the Waves

(Rōrihakuchō Chōjun), from the series One Hundred

and Eight Heroes of the Popular Shuihuzhuan

(Tsūzoku Suikoden gōketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1797–1861

Publisher: Kagaya Kichiemon (Kichibei)

Japanese, Edo period, about 1827–1830 (Bunsei 10–Tenpō 1).

Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical ōban.

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Bequest of Maxim Karolik, 64.834.

Photograph © 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

The Shuihuzhuan Hero Ruan Xiaowu Fighting

Underwater, from the series Modern Lifesized Dolls

(Tōsei iki ningyō)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1797–1861

Publisher: Ise-Yoshi

Japanese, Edo period, 1856 (Ansei 3), 2nd month. Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical ōban. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.36641.

Photograph © 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Lu Zhishen, the Tattooed Priest (Kaoshō Rochishin)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1786–1864

Japanese, Edo period, early 1830s. Woodblock print (surimono); ink and color on paper; shikishiban. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.25969.

Photograph © 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Shi Jin, the Nine Dragoned (Kyūmonryū Shishin), from the series One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Shuihuzhuan (Suikoden hyakuhachinin no uchi)

Artist: Totoya Hokkei, 1780–1850

Japanese, Edo period, 1853 (Kaei 6), 10th month. Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.39658.

Photograph © 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Konjin Chōgorō, from the series Sagas of Beauty and Bravery (Biyū Suikoden)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Japanese, 1839–1892

Publisher: Ōmiya Kyūsuke (Sawa Kyūjirō)

Japanese, Edo period, 1866 (Keiō 2), 12th month. Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical chūban. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.35892.

Photograph © 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Madaramaru, from the series Sagas of Beauty and Bravery (Biyū Suikoden)

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Japanese, 1839–1892

Publisher: Ōmiya Kyūsuke (Sawa Kyūjirō)

Japanese, Edo period, 1867 (Keiō 3), 4th month. Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical chūban. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.35897.

Photograph © 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Actor Nakamura Shikan IV as the Wrestler (Keiriki) Tomigoō, from the series A Modern Shuhuzhuan (Kinsei suikoden)

Artist: Utagawa Kunisada I (Toyokuni III), 1786–1864

Publisher: Iseya Kanekichi

Japanese, Edo period, 1861 (Man'en 2/Bunkyū 1), 6th month. Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; vertical ōban. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.29906.

Photograph © 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Horse (Uma): Soga no Gorō, from the series Heroes Representing the Twelve Animals of the Zodiac (Buyū mitate jūnishi)

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1797–1861

Publisher: Minatoya Kohei

Japanese, Edo period, about 1840 (Tenpō 11). Woodblock print (nishiki-e); ink and color on paper; chūtanzaku. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. William Sturgis Bigelow Collection, 11.16583.

Photograph © 2010 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

Rooster (Niwatori): Actor Kawarazaki Gonjūrō I as Danshichi, from the series A Collection of Birds (Tori zukushi...