Nishimura SHIGENAGA (1697 ? –1756)



 Click here to view image full size.

The centre sheet of a triptych: Sampuku –tsui, Yashiki fu, “A set of Three Prints in the Style of a Grand House.” Shows a young beauty holding a wooden box, a sprig of cherry blossom and a flower in a paper holder. An important artist, teacher and innovator. Urushi-e, coloured by hand: Beni, mustard, yellow and blue with extensive gold powder and heavy lacquered sumi over embossed lines. Published c 1730 by Hammoto, Motohama-cho, Iga-ya. Ex collection Walter von Scheven, 1878 – 1950, and purchased by him from Altkunst, Berlin in 1925. Illustrated as frontispiece in J. Kurth, Die Primitiven des Japanholzschnitts, Dresden, 1922. A beautiful example of the artist’s work. A beautiful and extremely rare print.

Fine impression. Very slight soil and edge repaired wormage, otherwise very good condition. Signed Nihon gako Nishimura Shigenaga hitsu.

Status: Sold

    Tags: , ,

     

    Ishikawa TOYONOBU (1711-1785)




    Click here to view image full size.

    A very fine original painting, sumi and colour on paper with extensive laquer and a large emossed gold floral pattern on the bijin’s kimono; other areas in gold. Image size 35.25 x 17.75 in; 89.5 x 45 cms. Shows an elegant beauty holding up an haori to slip it over the shoulders of a seated nobleman. There is a great feeling of tenderness between the couple in this beautiful painting. In fact Toyonobu produced a print of this exact subject but showing the actors Nakamura Kiyosaburo I as Okiku and Ichimura Kamezo I as Kosuke, a pair of lovers, who were in the play Fujito nikki in 7/1751. Toyonobu must have liked the design and produced this painting but of just the protagonists. See this link in google
    for the published print.

    Toyonobu was a pupil of Nishimura Shigenaga and his style is also indebted to Okumura Masanobu. Produced some of the most exquisite kakemono-e, hashira-e and large obans of this period which, when they come onto the market, fetch considerable sums of money. (See, for example, Christies auction, N.Y., 18/9/2002, lot 6, ex Vever collection.) For a fine collection of his work, see The Clarence Buckingham Collection of Japanese Prints. The Primitives, 1955, A.I.C., pp. 199 – 229, nos. 1 – 58. Signed Ishikawa Shuha Toyonobu zu with seals Ishikawa uji and Toyonobu. Illustrated in colour in the exhibition catalogue of the Fuchu Art Museum, Artists of the Three Capitals-Learning About Edo Through Kyoto and Osaka, Kaneko, Nobuhisa, Oto, Yumiko, 2012, No. 67, p. 92. The cataloguing gives the play as Hiyoku no kagamon but this is most likely a dance that served as the finale. Hiyoku can mean “wings abreast” and hiyoku no tori, the “hiyoku birds” were a mythical couple who shared a single pair of wings, i.e. two lovers. In fine condition, especially given the age. Painted c. 1751.

     

     

    Status: Sold

     

     




    Click here to view image full size.




    Click here to view image full size.

      Tags: , ,

       

      Utagawa TOYOHARU (1735-1814)



       Click here to view image full size.

      An extremely fine large painting by Toyoharu – the founder of the Utagawa School and teacher of Toyokuni and Toyohiro. Show a group comprising a high-ranking courtesan, her two kamuro ( attendants ), and her manservant carrying a lantern with either the crest of the Yoshiwara House or the crest of the courtesan. They are probably venturing out to meet wealthy customers in the teahouses of the Yoshiwara. The ample girth of the courtesan is typical of Toyoharu’s style at this time. Her surcoat ( uchikake ) is wonderfully decorated with breaking waves; the theme repeated on the coat of the front attendant. Little is known of his beginnings but it is thought he studied under the Kano-school master Tsuruzawa Tangei. He then went to Edo around 1763 where it is thought he was the pupil of Shigenaga and Sekien. Amongst his achievements was the development of the uki-e or perspective print. He gave up print design in the 1780s. Full colour on paper, 48.75 x 21.75 in; 124 x 55.5 cms. Fine new mount and double box. Perfect condition. Painted in his prime, c 1780. Although prolific ( something like 100 paintings are known by him ), this is probably the finest example extant.

      Status: Sold




       Click here to view image full size.




       Click here to view image full size.




       Click here to view image full size.




       Click here to view image full size.




       Click here to view image full size.




       Click here to view image full size.

        Tags: , ,

         

        Artists

        ( A to Z )

        Kyogado ASHIKUNI ( Fl. c. 1807 – 1818 )
        Gigado ASHIYUKI ( Fl. c. 1814 – 1833 )

        Ki BAITEI ( 1734 – 1810 )
        Takizawa BAKIN ( 1767 – 1848 )
        Ono BAKUFU ( 1888 – 1976 )
        Georges BIGOT ( 1860 – 1927 )
        Kawamura BUMPO ( 1779 – 1821 )
        Ippitsusai BUNCHO ( Fl. c. 1765 – 1792 )

        Toyohara CHIKANOBU ( 1838 – 1912 )
        Kishi CHIKUDO ( 1826 – 1897 )
        Tsubaki CHINZAN ( 1801 – 1854 )
        Eishosai CHOKI ( Fl. c. 1756 – 1808 ). See also SHIKO

        Rekisentei EIRI ( Fl. c. 1790 – 1800 )
        Keisai EISEN ( 1790 – 1848 )
        Hosoda EISHI ( 1756 – 1829 )
        Hosoda EISHO ( Fl. c. 1780 – 1800 )
        Ichirakutei EISUI ( Fl. c. 1790 – 1823 )
        Kikugawa EIZAN ( 1787 – 1867 )

        Hirano HAKUHO ( 1879 – 1957 )

        Elizabeth KEITH ( 1887 – 1956 )
        Imao KEINEN ( 1845 – 1924 )

        Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1786 – 1868 )
        Ogata GEKKO ( 1859 – 1920 )
        Adachi GINKO ( Fl. c. 1847 – 1897 )
        Matsumura GOSHUN ( 1752 – 1811 )
        GYOSAI. See Kawanabe KYOSAI

        Hirano HAKUHO ( 1879 – 1957 )
        Suzuki HARUNOBU ( 1724 – 1770 )
        Kawase HASUI ( 1883 – 1957 )
        Kitagawa HIDEMARO ( Fl. c. early 19th century )
        Kinoshita HIRONOBU ( Fl. c. 1851 – 1870 )
        Gosotei HIROSADA ( Fl. c. 1847 – 1863 )
        Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797 – 1858 )
        Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE II ( 1826 – 1869 )
        Ando HIROSHIGE III ( 1843 – 1894 )
        Nakamura HOCHU ( Fl. c. late 18th to early 19th century )
        Sakai HOITSU ( 1761 – 1828 )
        Totoya HOKKEI ( 1780 – 1850 )
        Teisai HOKUBA ( 1771 – 1844 )
        Shunkosai HOKUEI (Active 1824-1837)
        Katsushika HOKUGA ( Fl. c. 1830 )
        Shotei HOKUJU ( Fl. c. 1789 – 1818 )
        Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760 – 1849 ). Also used numerous other names such as: SORI, SHUNRO, SHINSAI
        Shokosai HOKUSHU ( Fl. c. 1808 – 1832 )

        KEISAI. See Kitao MASAYOSHI
        Suzuki KIITSU ( 1796 – 1858 )
        Kitagawa KIKUMARO ( Fl. c. ? – 1830 ). See TSUKIMARO
        Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA ( 1847 – 1915 )
        Torii KIYOHIRO ( Fl. c. 1737 – 1771 )
        Torii KIYOMASA ( Fl. c. 1700 – 1722 )
        KIYOMINE. See Torii KIYOMITSU II
        Torii KIYOMITSU ( 1735 – 1785 )
        Torii KIYOMITSU II ( 1787 – 1868 ). See KIYOMINE
        Torii KIYONAGA ( 1752 – 1815 )
        Torii KIYONOBU ( 1664 – 1729 )
        Torii KIYONOBU II ( 1706 – 1763 )
        Torii KIYOTSUNE ( Fl. c. 1757 – 1779 )
        Isoda KORYUSAI ( Fl. c. 1767 – 1788 )
        Ohara KOSON ( 1877 – 1945 ). See SHOSON
        Torii KOTONDO ( 1900 – 1976 )
        Toyohara KUNICHIKA ( 1835 – 1900 )
        Utagawa KUNIHIRO ( Fl. c. 1815 – 1843 )
        Ichiunsai KUNIHISA ( 1832 – 1891 )
        Utagawa KUNINAO ( 1793 – 1854 )
        Utagawa KUNISADA ( 1786 – 1865 )
        Utagawa KUNISADA II ( 1823 – 1880 )
        Utagawa KUNISATO ( ? – 1858 )
        Utagawa KUNITERU ( 1808 – 1876 )
        KUNITERU. See Utagawa SADASHIGE
        Utagawa KUNITERU II ( 1829 – 1874 )
        Utagawa KUNIYASU ( 1794 – 1832 )
        Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI ( 1797 – 1861 )
        Santo KYODEN. See Kitao MASANOBU
        Kawanabe KYOSAI ( 1831 – 1889 ). See GYOSAI

        Okumura MASANOBU ( 1686 – 1764 )
        KitaoMASANOBU ( 1761 – 1816 ). See Santo KYODEN
        Kitao MASAYOSHI ( 1764 – 1824 ). See KEISAI
        Oishi MATORA ( 1794 – 1833 )
        Hishikawa MORONOBU ( Fl. c. 1618 – 1694 )

        Nishimura NANTEI ( 1775 – 1834 )
        Utagawa NOBUKATSU ( Fl. c. 1830 – 1844 )
        Watanabe NOBUKAZU ( Fl. c. late 19th century )

        Hishikawa RYUKOKU ( Fl. c. 1808 – 1816 )
        Jokei RYUKOSAI ( Fl. 1772 – 1816 )

        Gokitei SADAFUSA ( Fl. c. 1825 – 1850 )
        Hasegawa SADAHARU ( Fl. c. 1830 – 1844 )
        Gokotei SADAKAGE ( Fl. c. 1818 – 1844 )
        Utagawa SADAHIDE ( 1807 – 1873 )
        Hasegawa SADANOBU ( 1809 – 1879 )
        Utagawa SADASHIGE ( Fl. c. mid 19th century ). See KUNITERU
        Gofutei SADATORA ( Fl. c. 1825 )
        Yamaguchi SHIGEHARU ( 1803 – 1853 )
        Kitao SHIGEMASA ( 1739 – 1820 )
        Nishimura SHIGENAGA ( 1697 ? – 1756 )
        Nishimura SHIGENOBU ( Fl. c. 1724 – 1735 )
        SHIKO. See Eishosai CHOKI
        Ryuryukyo SHINSAI ( 1764 – 1820 )
        Ito SHINSUI ( 1898 – 1972 )
        Kojima SHOGETSU ( Fl. c. 1880 – 1890 )
        SHOSON. See Ohara KOSON
        Takahashi SHOTEI ( 1871 – 1945 )
        Yamamoto SHOUN ( 1870 – 1965 )
        Yamakawa SHUHO ( 1898 – 1944 )
        Katsukawa SHUNCHO ( Fl. c. 1780 – 1795 )
        Takehara SHUNCHOSAI ( Fl. c. 1772 – 1801 )
        Katsukawa SHUN’EI ( 1762 – 1819 )
        Katsukawa SHUNKO ( 1743 – 1812 )
        Hishikawa SHUNKYO ( Fl. c. early 19th century )
        Kubo SHUNMAN ( 1757 – 1820 )
        Katsukawa SHUNSEN ( Fl. c. 1762 – 1830 )
        Natori SHUNSEN ( 1886 – 1960 )
        Gatoken SHUNSHI ( Fl. c. 1820 – 1828 )
        Katsukawa SHUNSHO ( 1726 – 1792 )
        Katsukawa SHUNTEI ( 1770 – 1820 )
        Katsukawa SHUNZAN ( Fl. c. 1782 – 1798 )
        Yamaguchi SOKEN ( 1759 – 1834 )

        Ikeno TAIGA ( 1723 – 1776 )
        Katsukawa TERUSHIGE ( Fl. c. 1715 – 1725 )
        Mori TETSUZAN (1775-1841)
        Migita TOSHIHIDE ( 1863 – 1925 )
        Mizuno TOSHIKATA ( 1866 – 1908 )
        Okumura TOSHINOBU ( Fl. c. 1717 – 1750 )
        Utagawa TOYOHARU ( 1735 – 1814 )
        Utagawa TOYOHIRO ( 1773 – 1828 )
        Utagawa TOYOKUNI ( 1769 – 1825 )
        Utagawa TOYOKUNI II ( 1777 – 1835 ). See TOYOSHIGE
        Yamamura TOYONARI ( 1885 – 1942 )
        Ishikawa TOYONOBU ( 1711 – 1785 )
        TOYOSHIGE. See Utagawa TOYOKUNI II
        TSUKIMARO. See Kitagawa KIKUMARO
        Kitano TSUNETOMI ( 1880 – 1947 )

        Toyokawa UMEKUNI ( Fl. c. 1816 – 1826 )
        Kitagawa UTAMARO ( 1753 – 1806 )
        Kitagawa UTAMARO II ( ? – 1831 )

        Inoue YASUJI ( 1864 – 1889 )
        Hiroshi YOSHIDA ( 1876 – 1950 )
        Ipposai YOSHIFUJI ( 1828 – 1887 )
        Utagawa YOSHIIKU ( 1833 – 1904 )
        Utagawa YOSHIKATA ( Fl. c. 1841 – 1864 )
        Utagawa YOSHIKAZU ( Fl. c. 1850 – 1870 )
        Toyokawa YOSHIKUNI ( Fl. c. 1803 – 1840 )
        Utagawa YOSHIMUNE ( 1817 – 1880 )
        Ichiyosai YOSHITAKI ( 1841 – 1899 )
        Utagawa YOSHITORA ( Fl. c. 1850 – 1880 )
        Taiso YOSHITOSHI ( 1839 – 1892 )
        Utagawa YOSHITSURU ( Fl. c. 1840 – 1850 )
        Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA ( 1822 – 1866 )
        Mori YOSHIYUKI ( 1835 – 1879 )

        Shibata ZESHIN ( 1807 – 1891 )