Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a triptych showing, from the left, the actor Bando Takesaburo I as Nagoya Sanza, Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as the Shinzo (“courtesan’s apprentice”), and Nakamura Fukusuke I as Fuwa Banzaemon. This is actually from the dance Sanpukutsui Kabuki no irodori performed at the Ichimura-za theatre, 5/1855. The publisher was Sanoki. These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. Sumi and touches of red with some pentimenti. Signed Toyokuni ga on the three sheets. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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A surimono showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII in the role of Soga no Goro holding a print of the shichifukujin in the takarabune. A parody of the Yanone no Goro story: Yanone means “arrowhead” and is one of the eighteen famous plays in the Danjuro canon, belonging to the Soga Brothers cycle. He is shown with the over-large arrow and whetstone for sharpening it. Poem by Jingoro Uchichika. The printer’s seal Kozensai bottom left. (The same seal appears on a number of other Danjuro VII surimono.) He also appears in the role of a poet and possibly belonged to the Mimasu-ren poetry club that supported the Danjuros. A very fine surimono.
Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga with double toshidama seal.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Shibuya Konnomaru Masatoshi from a set Edo meisho zue, “Famous Places of Edo.” This being Shibuya. Published by Iseya Chusuke 1852.
Very good impression. Good colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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The actor Ichikawa Kodanji IV as the ghost of Kasane from a set Mitate sanjurokkasen no uchi, “An Imaginary Thirty-six Poets.” A famous early compilation; in this case the image is inspired by a poem of Fujiwara no Toshiyuki Ason. Shows Kasane’s vengeful ghost appearing to her husband who had murdered her. Published by Iseya Kanekichi, 1852.
Very fine early impression showing overall strong woodgrain and glue applied to the ghost’s right eye. Fine colour. Very small binding holes, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Arajishi Otokonosuke from a set Mitate sanjurokkasen no uchi, “An Imaginary Thirty-six Poets.” A famous early compilation; in this case the image is inspired by a poem of Mibu no Tadamine. Otokonosuke is usually depicted about to strike his adversary Nikki Danjo -who has turned into a rat – with an iron fan (leaving a red mark on the rat’s/Danjo’s head). Published by Iseya Kanekichi, 1852.
Very fine early impression. Fine colour. Very small binding holes, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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The actor Onoe Kikugoro III as the ghost of Yasukata from a set Mitate sanjurokkasen no uchi, “An Imaginary Thirty-six Poets.” A famous early compilation; in this case the image is inspired by a poem of Nakatsukasa.The ghost haunted the ruined palace of Soma at Sashima. Published by Iseya Kanekichi, 1852.
Fine early impression. Fine colour. Very small binding holes and slight discolouration at left edge, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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The actor Segawa Kikunojo III as the Spirit of the Komachi Cherry Tree from a set Mitate sanjurokkasen no uchi, “An Imaginary Thirty-six Poets.” A famous early compilation; in this case the image is inspired by a poem of Fujiwara no Motozane. The spirit is the courtesan Kurozome who appears to combat the evil plans of Sekibei (actually Otomo no Kuronushi) to cut the tree down. Published by Iseya Kanekichi, 1852.
Fine impression. Fine colour. Very small binding holes otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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A triptych of a probably imaginary performance showing the actor Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Hachiman Taro Yoshiie (far left) with an actor dressed as a lion who shines a strong beam from a lantern across the other two sheets; the centre one showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro III as Abe Sadato with an actor dressed as a lion, and the right sheet showing the actor Bando Shuka I as Sadato’s wife Sodehagi with an actor dressed as an elephant. Published by Miyakozawa 1847-52.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hanmoto no oujyu Toyokuni ga, “By the request of the publisher, painted by Toyokuni.”
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A sheet of original drawings being hanshita-e for an ehon. Shows, above, a seated samurai and a female figure to the right holding a mirror. Below, actors in a garden setting. Sumi with touches of red on thin paper laid onto thicker Japanese paper, 14 x 10 in; 36 x 25 cms. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A fan print showing the actor Bando Shuka I as Shirai Gonpachi from a set Mitate gonin otoko, go-hiiki no omoizashi, “A Parody of the Five Chivalrous Commoners: A Cup of Sake From Their fans.” Omoizashi means to pour sake for one’s loved one and indicates the adoration of the fans for their actors. Published by Yama-Ta, 2/1852.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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A courtesan biting on a tissue about to write a love letter from the set Ukiyoe jinsei tengankyo, “Types of the Floating World Seen Through a Physiognomist’s Glass.” The glass top right. These professionals who purported to look at people’s features and give counsel based on their countenance were called Ninsomi or simply Somi. This set of ten prints showing different female personalities have their characteristics written up above. Utamaro produced two fine sets based on this theme in 1792-4 and c 1802: Fuji ninso jupon and Bijin gomenso. The clenching of the tissue is always an indication of arousal. Published c 1830 by Moriya Jihei (Kinshindo).
Fine impression with blind-printing. Fine colour. Small repaired binding holes and very slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A woman peering through a gap in a shoji from a set Arigataki miyo no kage e “Shadow Pictures for Our Blessed Times.” Published by Maruya Seijiro c. 1845-6 and is based on strong light sources shining on beauties. This chiaroscuro technique was pioneered by Shumman and used by Utamaro and Toyokuni I.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyosai Toyokuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a triptych showing, from the left, Nakamura Kamenojo I as the geisha Azuma standing above Kawarasaki Gonjuro I as Yamazakiya Yogoro, Bando Kamezo I as Settanaoshi Chogoro standing above Onoe Kikugoro IV as Kumasaka Ocho, and Onoe Kikugoro IV as Akogi Gennojo standing above Onoe Kikujiro II as Onnadayu Okoyo. The play was Yume musubu cho ni torioi performed at the Ichimura-za theatre 3/1856. These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. Sumi and touches of red with some pentimenti. (This was also most likely a published print by Sanoki as it is from the same group as others offered here.) Signed on two sheets Toyoukuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a published diptych showing, on the left, the actor Onoe Kikujiro II as Tatsuhime – in reality Yawata, the younger sister of Kotoda. On the right is Iwai Kumesaburo III as Kudo Kanaishimaru. The play is Matsu icho Tsurukame Soga performed at the Nakamura-ya theatre, 1/1854. The publisher of the print was Sanoki. These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. Sumi and touches of red. Signed Toyokuni ga on both sheets. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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Moon from a set Furyu settsugekka, “A Fashionable Snow, Moon, Flower.” An uncut fan print showing the actor Iwai Kumesaburo III as Shirai Gonpachi. Kumesaburo last played this role in the play Kakitsubata tamuke no harakawado performed at the Kawarasaki-za theatre in 3/1850. Published by Kojima Jubei (who specialised in fans) in 3/1853.
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An exceedingly rare fan print showing a bust portrait of Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Soga no Goro wearing the iconic kuruma bun wig. This famous story has many versions but basically it tells how Kawazu Sukeyasu was murdered by his cousin Kudo Suketsune. Sukeyasu left two sons and his widow remarried a man called Soga. He adopted the two children and they waited patiently for an opportunity to kill Suketsune which came when he was hunting near Mt. Fuji. They killed him but were themselves slain in the ensuing battle. Published c.1827 by Maru-Mata, a publisher who seems to have only produced fan prints for a few years. Possibly Kunisada’s finest actor design in this format. A design I have never seen and probably unique.
Very good impression. Good colour. Dismounted from a fan and sold “as is” with all imperfections. Signed Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An uncut fan print showing a geisha adjusting her hair pin set against a snowy landscape. Fukagawa Iyo setsu, “Time in Fukugawa, Iyo Province.” Published 3/1855 by Iseba Magobei.
Fine impression and colour with splashed gofun to represent falling snow. Small expertly repaired wormhole, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An uncut fan print showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of Hanakawado no Sukeroku from a set: Mitate gonin otoko go-hiiki omoizashi, “A Parody of the Five Chivalrous Commoners, a Cup of Sake from their Fans.” Shows the actor holding a number of pipes; a shakuhachi protruding from his back. Published by Yama-Ta, 2ic/1852.
Extremely fine impression and colour. Minimal soil at bottom, otherwise fine condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An uncut fan print showing the actor Sawamura Chojuro V as Ono no Tofu (aka Ono no Michikaze) in the play Ono no Tofu aoyagi suzuri performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 3/1850. Shows the character holding a large umbrella. Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, 1850 (who seems to have specialised in fans).
Extremely fine impression and colour with extensive burnishing. Minimal soil at bottom, otherwise fine condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An uncut fan print, Ryogokubashi natsu no kei, “View of Ryogoku Bridge in the Summer” from a set Hana no Edo go-ohashi, “Five Major Bridges of Edo.” Shows a beauty on the bridge with fireworks exploding above. Fireworks became so popular in the summer that the authorities had to limit them to the river. Published by Kojimaya Jubei !843-46.
Fine impression and colour. Minor soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An uchiwa-e showing Sawamura Gennosuke II as Ushiwakamaru and Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Benkei battling on Gojo Bridge. In fact, this shows a dance with title Soga matsuri musashi no surimono from a play performed at the Kawarasaki-za Theatre, 5/1831. The dance is today called Hashi Benkei, “Benkei on the Bridge.” The story relates how Benkei, of Herculean strength, was subdued by the young Onzoshi Ushiwaka Maru (Yoshitsune) on Gojo Bridge. Benkei was wandered around Kyoto with the intention of relieving 1000 samurai of their swords. One night, with one more sword to go, he saw Yoshitsune playing a flute and wearing a golden sword at the Gojotenjin Shrine. They agreed to fight on Gojo Bridge in southern Kyoto. However, Yoshitsune was too agile for Benkei and had been educated in the secrets of fighting by the tengu. Following Yoshitsune’s victory Benkei became Yoshitsune’s retainer. Published by Ibaya Senzaburo . Rare: Possibly unique.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An untrimmed fan print Fuji Tsukuba aiaigasa, “Fuji and Tsukuba Sharing an Umbrella.” A play on images and words: Shows the actors Nakamura Shikan II and the onnagata actor Iwai Kumesaburo II sharing an umbrella against the snow. Tsukuba, about 50 kilometers from Edo, was an area where both Fuji and Mount Tsukuba could be viewed together. Mount Fuji being the female and Mount Tsukuba the male. An aizuri-e background (common to all the designs in this set). Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, c 1829. (The publisher’s seal is on the umbrella on the following design from this set. He published a number of Kunisada’s fan sets.) Rare.
Very fine impression with extensive burnishing. Fine colour. Several expertly repaired binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An untrimmed fan print Fuji Tsukuba aiaigasa, “Fuji and Tsukuba Sharing an Umbrella.” A play on images and words: Shows the actors Ichikawa Ebizo V and the onnagata actor Iwai Shijaku I sharing an umbrella against the wind. Tsukuba, about 50 kilometers from Edo, was an area where both Fuji and Mount Tsukuba could be viewed together. Mount Fuji being the female and Mount Tsukuba the male. An aizuri-e background (common to all the designs in this set). Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, c 1829 – the publisher’s seal is on the umbrella. He published a number of Kunisada’s fan sets.) Rare.
Very fine impression. Fine colour. Several expertly repaired binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A fine original fan painting showing a woman of Ohara; a mountain village north of Kyoto. These Oharame collected brushwood and firewood in the fall to sell in Kyoto. They are often depicted and obviously caused a stir when they entered Kyoto to ply their trade. The custom has evidently been going on since the 12th century. She is shown holding a flower and sitting on her bundle of firewood.
Full colour on prepared paper mounted as a fan, 6.5 x 17in; 16.5 x 43.2 cms (paper area). In very good condition. Signed Kunisada ga with indistinct seals, probably Kuni Sada. A charming painting.
Status: Sold
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Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A triptych from a set: Furyu Genji: Akashi. An evening scene showing Genji’s secret lover Lady Fujitsubo and an attendant watching the departing Prince Genji walking through the reeds of Akashi Bay. Based on the famous Genji monogatari written by the 11th century noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. Published by Iseya Kanekichi 1853.
Fine impression. This is the early state with gradation over the moon. Fine colour. Very slight trimming and retains album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga and Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A long surimono showing a fan with an image of Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Soga no Goro in the play Yanone, “The Arrow Head.” To the left a fan shape with a poem by Sansho VII (Ichikawa Danjuro VII) and irises. Extremely rare. This impression sold by me in 1997. Issued c 1814. These long surimono were published with the poems attached but were invariably removed by collectors as being a distraction from the image.
Very good impression and colour. Minor soil, otherwise good condition. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga. A name bottom left corner reads Onishi Tokuzo II.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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A complete setsugekka koban surimono-style set of triptychs: Snow, Moon, Flowers. Each triptych shows actors in the snow (from left: Matsumoto Koshiro V; Iwai Kumesaburo II; Ichikawa Danjuro VII); in moonlight (Iwai Shijaku I; Bando Mitsugoro III; Iwai Hanshiro V); and admiring the spring blossoms ( Onoe Kikugoro III; Segawa Kikunojo V; Seki Sanjuro II). Published by Mikawaya Seiemon (who specialised in these koban surimono-style prints) c 1825. Extremely rare. One other complete set is in the Harvard Art Museum, acquisition numbers 206831; 207183; 207139.
Very fine impressions. These are not true surimono, although they are listed in some books and catalogues as such. However, they are printed with the same delicacy with beautiful blind-printing. Fine colour. Small nicks out of the corners, otherwise fine condition. Each sheet signed Oju Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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Kaido-maru (Kintoki) with his forest companion, a bear-cub, attacking a giant white monkey. The chubby Kintoki is always shown red-hued and wielding a giant axe. In this case he heaves a tree above his head. Published by Moritaya Hanzo, c 1827. Rare.
Very good impression. Fine colour. Slightly trimmed, otherwise very good condition. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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A triptych showing Mitsuuji, the romantic hero of the Inaka Genji (“A Rustic Genji”) accompanied by a beauty looking out across a snow-covered garden to where a group of girls are building a giant snow rabbit. Hiroshige and Kunisada collaborated on a number of these Genji triptychs in the 1850s and this is one of the most charming. Published by Moriya Jihei of Kinshodo, 12/1854 (and therefore probably in anticipation of the following year, which was a Year of the Rabbit).
Fine impression. The early state with gradation behind the rabbit and bokashi on stream and in the sky. Fine colour. Fine condition. Signed Toyokuni ga on two outside panels and Yuki no kei oju, “Snow landscape by request” Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786 – 1865)
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The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII as the medicine peddler in the play Uiro-uri and Ichikawa Danjuro IV in the votive panel above as Kagekiyo in the play of the same name. Both these plays are included in the Kabuki Juhachiban ” Eighteen Favourite Plays” chosen to illustrate the special art of the Danjuro line of actors. The lower half of Kagekiyo’s costume includes the characters “Dragon King” “Ryu-o” suggesting the date 1820. The upper half has the Gogawa hour-glass poetry club symbol.
Very fine impression. Fine colour with gold and silver. Fine condition. Signed Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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Taira no Tadamori (1096-1153) grappling with the oil thief from a set: Honcho komei kagami, “A Mirror of our Country’s Renowned Heroes.” Published by Joshuya Kinzi, c 1835. The story relates how the Emperor Shirakawa was perturbed by a monster in the precincts of the Mido Temple at night. The samurai Taira no Tadamori was ordered to kill the beast only to discover a harmless old monk who steals a little oil from the stone lanterns. Kunisada designed a number of sets like this around this date.
Fine impression and colour. Very slightly trimmed, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An extremely rare set of hosoban designs: Pictures of Various Women of imperial Japan. Shows, on the left, Princess Joruri – the lover of Yoshitsune. On the right Suke no Tsubone, the wet-nurse of the child Emperor Antoku who both drowned at the battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185. Published by Shimizuya Tsunejiro, 1845.
Very good impression and colour. Small repaired wormage on each sheet, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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Prince Genji being poled in a punt on a lake. From a set of such triptychs published by Iseya Kanekichi in 1853. Furyu Genji fune asobi, “Fashionable Genji Enjoying a Pleasure Boat.”
Very fine impression and colour. Slightly trimmed at bottom, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga and Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A vertical diptych showing the famous waka poet Ono no Komachi (c. 1825-c. 900) being sheltered by attendants from an upcoming storm. She is famous for composing a poem and praying for rain at the behest of the Emperor Junna during a period of drought across Japan. The poem she composed, shown above, she threw into the pond of the Shinsen-en Garden. It started raining after three days . The poem reads: Though it is called the “land beneath the sun [Japan]” surely it must rain here. Published by Kikakudo, c. 1833-35. Rare.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A triptych Shinshu Sarashina tagoro no tsuki, “The Moon Reflected in the Rice Fields at Sarashina, Shinano Province.” Shows Mitsuuji, the romantic hero of the Inaka Genji (“A Rustic Genji”), admiring the multiple views of the moon reflected in the paddy-fields and about to compose a poem. On the left, Mount Kyodai. This phenomenon was greatly admired and pilgrimages were made to view it. There was a plethora of these Genji parody prints in the 1850s following two popular Kabuki plays and Hiroshige and Kunisada collaborated on a number of such triptychs. Interestingly, this design has a date seal for 3/1861 making it probably the last and based on an existing collaborative hanshita-e. Published by Moriya Jihei. Rare.
Superb impression and colour. Slightly trimmed round; sheets connected and album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga and Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An early warrior print showing Rokuson Okeigi (Minamoto no Tsunemoto [894-961]) battling a giant dragon. From a set Honcho komei kagami, “A Mirror of Our Country’s Renown Heroes” published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1835.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kocho Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A surimono showing the strong woman of Omi, Okane, stopping a runaway horse from a temple by holding its tether down with her geta. Published for the year of the Horse, 1834.
Fine impression and colour. Areas of gold and silver. Some slight crinkling, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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A triptych showing Prince Genji (far right) on a stone terrace looking out at Suma Beach, Akashi, thronged with visitors enjoying themselves. Two of his party look as though they are going to collect shells. A mitate of Chapter XIII of the Genji Monogatari where Genji is exiled at Akashi, Akashi no ura shiogari no zu. There was a proliferation of sets based on the original Genji Monogatari and the Ryutei Tenehiko (1783-1842) update at this time. Published by Yamaguchiya Tobei, 1/1855.
Fine impression and colour. Bokashi on the edge of the bay at top (missing on later editions). Fine condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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An extremely rare and unusual surimono: I have only seen two impressions – both of which have passed through my hands, and one of which was gifted to the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Shows the most famous playwright of his age – Tsuruya Nanboku IV (1755-1829). His crest is clearly visible on his shoulder. He died on the 27th of the 11th month, 1829 and this surimono must date from shortly after that: A sort of shini-e – very unusual in surimono form. He wrote the most famous Kabuki ghost story: Yotsuya kaidan, “Yotsuya Ghost Story” (1825) as well as the quick-change play Osome no nanayuki (1813).
Fine impression and colour. The poems above printed in gold. Slight soil. Very small restored binding holes at left edge, and slight trimming at bottom. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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A rare diptych, Kansho Tempaizan mangan. This famous tale (with different versions) is the basis for the play Sugawara denju tenarai kagami, “Sugawara and the Secrets of Calligraphy” which was performed at the Kawarazaki Theatre, Edo, 9/1832. This Mt. Tempai scene shows Kan Shojo (Sugawara no Michizane), a Heian politician and poet, transforming himself into a demon and invoking a storm. Umeomaru , a former retainer of Kan Shojo is seen climbing the mountain on the left sheet. There is also a fine vertical surimono diptych of this subject issued by Kunisada in 1832. Published by Yamaguchi Tobei. A fine design I have not catalogued before.
Fine impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold