Hosoda EISHI (1756-1829)
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A fine original painting by one of the best known Ukiyo-e artists. This high ranking individual produced some of the most refined prints during the late 1780s and the 1790s. He had many pupils including Eisho, Eiri and Eisui. Shows a standing beauty painted c. late 1790s. One hand adjusts a hairpin, while the other holds a partly concealed letter. Image size 35.25 x 13 in; 89.5 x 33 cms. Exquisitely painted in full colour on silk. In very good condition with futo-maki ( thick wooden roll to preserve the painting from damage ) and fine new mount and box. Signed Chobunsai Eishi hitsu with Eishi seal.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A fascinating specially commissioned painting by Hiroshige showing a large carp windsock ( koinoburi ) and Boys’ Day banners. Fuji is seen in the distance. The centre banner shows Shoki, the Demon Quellor, exorcising an oni. Shoki images were popular in houses to ward off evil during the Boys’ Day Festival, Tango no sekku, held on the 5th May. The carp was displayed outside homes of families with boys and their strength and character was symbolised by the determination of the carp swimming upstream. See also the print Suido-bashi, Surugadai from the Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,” published 1857 where Hiroshige uses the same large carp windsock. Sumi and full colour on silk. Extensive use of gold on the banners, the clouds below and the carp. The eye of the carp lacquered. 28.25 x 11.62 in x 72 x 29.5 cms. Original mount removed. The painting can either be framed and glazed or remounted. Very good condition. Signed Ojyu ( “commissioned” work ) Hiroshige fude. Seal Ichiryusai.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Hakone from the “Reisho” Tokaido. So-called because of the titles written in formal script. The best Tokaido set after the Hoeido. Shows travellers holding pine-torches climbing a mountain path at night. The Hakone mountains were one of the most gruelling parts of the Tokaido, but at the same time one of the most relaxing with the hot springs, Lake Ashi and the fine cryptomeria trees. Published by Marusei, c 1851-2. One of the five best designs from the set and probably the masterpiece. The composition and use of kimetsubishi to show the woodgrain in the night sky and mountains makes it one of Hiroshige’s most beautiful prints.
Fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An uncut fan print from a set of views in Ise: Ise meisho, Asakumayama toge no chamise, “Teahouses on the Mount Asakuma Pass, Famous Places of Ise Province.” Hiroshige used this view about a decade later for his oban tata-e set The 60-Odd Provinces. He cleverly uses the cliff sides to wrap around the uchiwa-e shape. Published c. 1840. Extremely rare. This actual impression illustrated in Hiroshige no uchiwa-e, Unsodo 2010, p. 78, pl. 108. Ex collection Maroni, seal at bottom.
Fine impression and colour. Centre fold, as often, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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The Moon Pine, Ueno, Ueno sannai tsuki no matsu from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ), this design being Snake 8 ( 1857 ). Shows Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Park, seen through the ancient pine tree. ( also called the Rope Pine ).
Fine impression of the first edition. Trimmed close and slight fading. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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The Kameido Shrine in snow. The best design from a Toto Meisho set of 21 prints published by Kikakudo ( Sanoki ) c. 1832-5 and then extended to 55 in c. 1839-42. The view shows the famous Drum Bridge, koi ponds and wisteria. The main shrine to the memory of Sugawara no Michizane ( Tenjin ), the father of Japanese learning, and built in 1662.
Fine impression. Probably the first edition with the cloak ( right figure ) and trousers ( left figure ) double printed, red over blue; crisp seal and red publisher’s seal in right margin ( later editions having the black seal of Sanoki ). These later editions have a black sky and a block defect appears at the edge of the pond centre left. Slight centre fold and shaved top right border, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A snow scene: Fukagawa kiba, “Lumberyard, Fukagawa” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Dragon 8 ( 1856 ). Wood was in strong demand in Edo as there were many fires, indeed, they were called the “flowers of Edo.”
Very good early impression. Fine colour. Lightly backed, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Kamata no umezono, “Plum Garden at Kamata” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Snake 2 ( 1857 ). A sedan chair is seen to the right in which visitors were carried to the gardens.
Very good early impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A snow scene: Atago shita yabukoji, “Bamboo Lane Below Atago Hill” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Dragon 12 ( 1856 ). The large building on the left housed the daimyo’s servants and retainers.
Fine early impression. Fine colour and condition with mica on roof to right and at base of print. The only discernable difference between this impression and the first state ( apart from the cartouche ) is an extremely subtle gradation on the roofs to left and right. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Bikunibashi setchu, “Bikuni [ Nun’s ] Bridge in Snow” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Horse 10 ( 1858 ). This area was popular for food stalls and the one on the right advertises baked sweet potato, and the one on the left wild boar.
Very good impression, colour and condition. This design is regarded, by some, as being by Hiroshige II. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A snow scene: Meguro taikobashi yuhi no oka, “Drum Bridge and Sunset Hill, Meguro” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Snake 4 ( 1857 ).
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Satta Fuji, “Mount Fuji from Satta.” From the early set of fifteen prints Honcho meisho, “Famous Views of our Country” published by Fujiokaya Hikotaro, c.1837. ( In fact three designs were commissioned in 1832 but the set suspended, only to be resurrected after the success of the first Tokaido series. ) The steep Satta Pass gave a wonderful view of Fuji. Interestingly, the best design from the Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, Suruga satta kaijo ( “The Wave” ) gives another view of how wild the sea could be here. Rare.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A distant view of Mount Daisen [ Oyama ] in Hoki Province. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The set published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 12/1853 ). White rain ( printed with gofun ) falls on groups of peasants planting rice. A lovely design, the edges of the paddy fields zig-zagging into the distance. This is the rare first edition with blue and yellow diagonal bands on the sub-cartouche.
Fine impression with strong woodgrain showing. Fine colour. Margins slightly trimmed and one small sumi smudge, otherwise fine. Another state of the first edition has the grey block and the mountain printed darker. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Kazusa Kuroto no ura, “The Bay of Kuroto in Kazusa” from a set Shokoku meisho zukai, “Famous Views of the Provinces.” An uncut fan print published by Iseya Soyemon, c 1854. Shows women in a ferry with ships being unloaded in the background and Mount Fuji beyond. Another design from the set is illustrated in Tamba, Hiroshige shodai, 1965, pl. 176. Hiroshige designed a number of fans in collaboration with Kunisada, but these are seldom successful designs as opposed to these “pure” compositions. Rare.
Fine impression and colour and, apart from a small backed hole, in fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An important original painting either prior and for the published print Yotsugi-dori, yosui hikifune, “Hauling Canal Boats, Yotsugi Road” from the Meisho Edo hyakkei, published 1857; or painted at the same time because of particular satisfaction with the design. The canal supplied drinking water to the Fukagawa area. It also provided a regular passenger boat service heading northeast. There is some artistic license as the canal was fairly straight, which would not have provided such an interesting composition. Sumi and light blue on thin silk. ( Unique to Hiroshige as he had a penchant for rather coarse silk. ) 24.5 x 16.75 in; 62.25 x 42.5 cms. Good condition. From the collection of a leading supplier of tea ceremony utensils in Tokyo. Signed Hiroshige ga with Ichiryusai seal. ( For the same signature and seal, see Dr Timothy Clark, Ukiyo-e Paintings, B.M., no 141. )
Status: Sold
Chobunsai EISHI (1756-1829)
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An aiban from a set of four prints: Shiki warabe asobi, a series of prints comparing young children to the four seasons. Another from the set is illustrated in Estampes Japonaises. Collection des Musees royeaux d’Art et d’Histoire, Bruxelles, 1989, cat. 319, p. XXXIX ( incorrectly attributed to Eisho ). Published by Izumiya Ichibei 1795-6.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Eishi.
Status: Available
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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The pilot and nobleman Yoshibei leaps from his vessel to a rock in the Chopping Block Shoals and sacrifices himself to save his ship off the coast of Buzen Province. Meisho Kyushu yori joraku no toki. Published c 1850 by Santetsu. A wonderful and rare triptych which is seldom illustrated. Robinson T251.
Extremely fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Totally untrimmed. Colours do not quite match across the three sheets – a common fault on 19th century triptychs. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Abe no Hirafu slaying a giant bear from Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan.” A set of 51 prints published between 1876 and 1882 by Funazu Chujiro. ( This being 1880. ) Probably the best design from the set.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Amaterasu Omikami appearing from the cave from Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan.” A set of 51 prints published between 1876 and 1882 by Funazu Chujiro. ( This being 1882. ) One of the best designs from the set showing the famous story of Amaterasu – the Sun Goddess who had enclosed herself in a grotto with a large rock blocking the entrance causing darkness in the universe. She was tempted to peep out from the cave by the raucous activities of the other gods and goddesses whereupon she glimpsed herself in a mirror and the stone door was quickly fastened back by Ame no Tajikara.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Kamitsukeno Yatsunada attacking Saohime’s castle from Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan.” A set of 51 prints published between 1876 and 1882 by Funazu Chujiro. ( This being 1880. ) One of the best designs from the set showing Saohime perishing in the flames of her brother’s castle – Saohiko – who had conspired with his sister to seize the throne.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Kameido Umeyashiki, “The Plum Garden at Kameido.” Umeyashiki is the name of the plum garden on the bank of the Sumida River behind the Tenman Shrine at Kameido. From Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). A famous design because of Van Gogh’s 1887 copy. The tree was called Resting Dragon Plum and the branches grew so long that they penetrated the ground resulting in new shoots.
Good impression. Very good condition and colour. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Fukagawa Suzaki jumantsubo. The one hundred-thousand tsubo [ an area of measure ] plain, Suzaki, Fukagawa, from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). An eagle hovers over the snowy coastal plain at Suzaki with Mount Tsukuba and the Chiba mountains in the distance. This and the other similar designs from the set with large foreground objects were of particular interest to the Post Impressionists, and indeed, this design was considered by many collectors at the turn of the 19th century to be the finest print from the set. It is still judged to be one of the major designs.
Very good impression. Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Heavy snow with geisha in front of the torii in the Gion district of Kyoto. From the set of 10 prints Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Views of Kyoto.” Published by Eisendo c 1834. The first edition of this design has the publisher’s mark and kiwame seal in blue in right margin. This impression, although the second edition, is still much sought after and rare.
Very good impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold and minor marks in margin, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Arashiyama manka, “Cherry Trees in Full Bloom at Arashiyama” from the set of 10 prints Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Views of Kyoto.” Published by Eisendo c 1834. Arashiyama, to the west of Kyoto, was the place to admire the cherry blossom. Shows men poling a large raft down the Hosu River. Numerous states exist of this design: some with variant gradation on the river, others with colour variations on the far bank.
Very good impression. Slight fading. Imperceptible centre fold. Minor marks in margin, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Mariko from Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido”. The so-called Reisho Tokaido. Published by Maruya Seijiro, c 1851-2. Although Mariko, it probably shows the mountain village of Utsunoya on the way to the next station, Okabe. In contrast to most snow scenes where the earliest states have light blue graduated skies, this is only known with a slate-grey sky.
Fine impression. Very good colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Tsukudajima hatsu hototogitsu, “The First Cuckoo at Tsukudajima Island” from Hiroshige’s first major landscape set of ten prints with title Toto meisho published by Shoeido c 1831-2. Shows a few boats off the Island in the Bay of Edo as seen from Eitai Bridge. To the right the Shiba district and on the left the tip of Honju Fukugawa. This is the rare first state with ochre border, graded blue on the water, and with the publisher’s name and address in right margin.
Fine impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold. Large margins with publisher’s name and address in right margin intact. ( It is often trimmed, eg the Pulverer impression, pl. 6, Hiroshige, Matthi Forrer, 1997. ) Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Masaki yukibare, “Clearing Weather After Snow.” A Toto meisho set of 21 prints published by Kikakudo ( Sanoki ) c 1832-5 and then extended to 55 in c 1839-42. Shows the temple on the far shore with boatmen navigating the river in the foreground. The scene under heavy snow.
Fine impression of the first edition with red Kikakudo seal in right margin ( later editions have the black seal of Sanoki ). Fine colour. Trimmed close on right side. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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The Urami Falls, Mt. Nikko, Shimotsuke Province. Shimotsuke, Nikkozan urami no taki. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The series published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 8/1853 ). The “Back-View” waterfall, so-called because it could be viewed from a path underneath.
Fine early impression with blind-printing on the water. The first edition has the falling water printed blue and other colour variations. ( See Pulverer impression in Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, 1996, no 27. ) However, this is one of those cases where the earliest state is not necessarily the preferred one. Fine colour. Slight edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Amanohashidate in Tango Province. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The series published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 12/1853 ). The sandbank extended about three kilometres into the Sea of Japan. With Miyajima and Matsushima, considered to be one of the three most beautiful spots in Japan..
Fine early impression. The first edition has variations in the clouds. ( See Pulverer impression in Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, 1996, no 38. ) Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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The Yoro waterfall in Mino Province. Mino Yoro no taki. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The series published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 8/1853 ). The fall was also depicted by Hokusai in his set of waterfalls.
Very fine early impression with strong woodgrain and blind-printing on the fall. The first edition has the falling water printed blue and other colour variations. ( See Pulverer impression in Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, 1996, no 23. ) The present state is preferred by some collectors. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available