Ishikawa TOYONOBU (1711-1785)




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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

 

 




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    Ishikawa TOYONOBU (1711-1785)


    Ishikawa-TOYONOBU-1711-to-1785-beauties49

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    An extremely rare design showing a young woman either opening or closing an umbrella. She wears a rain-cape and high clogs ( geta ). Toyonobu’s hashira-e are amongst his most accomplished works. There appear to be at least three other known impressions: A.D.Ficke, Chats on Japanese Prints, pl.8 ( ex Metzgor coll. ); H.C.Gunsaulus, Japanese Prints of the Clarence Buckingham Collection, Volume I, AIC, 1955, no.16, p.206; and James A. Michener, Japanese Prints, no.78, p.75. There is some confusion as the Michener example appears to be the same impression from various well known collectors and illustrated in different places ( eg M. Bullier collection, illustrated in V.& I, volume I-III, pl.LIII ). Wide hashira-e ( 27.5 x 5.5 in.; 70 x 14 cms. ) Coloured by hand with beni ( overlaid with urushi ), yellow, mustard, brown and blue. Published c 1742 by Urokogata-ya. A beautiful print.

    Very good impression. Some toning ( as per usual ), and slight weakening along laid lines ( as per usual ). Trimmed slightly at left. The colours particularly well retained. Signed Tanjodo Ishikawa Shuha Toyonobu zu.

    Status: Sold

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      Ishikawa TOYONOBU (1711-1785)



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      A wide hashira-e ( 27.5 x 10 in; 70 x 25.5 cms ). Urushi-e, hand-coloured in beni, blue, yellow, mustard and lilac. These early majestic Toyonobu prints are amongst the masterpieces of Ukiyoe. Of the utmost rarity: From a set of three prints of Beauties of the Three Capitals. Sanpukutsui Keichu, “ A Set of Three: Within Kyoto.”The other two designs show women from Edo and Osaka. The only other impression is illustrated in the Bulletin of the Worcester Art Museum, April, 1915, p. 8. There is also a hosoban triptych of same subject by Toyonobu, c 1750s, in the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, accession number: 11.19672. This cheaper production follows the designs of the larger prints closely and was obviously intended to cash in on their popularity. Other similar designs were in the Vever sales, Sothebys, 26/3/1974 and 26/3/1975. Shows a standing courtesan with a pipe, her acolyte holding her tobacco tray. Published c 1747 by Mura ( Murata-ya ) hammoto.

      Fine impression with extremely fine and delicate hand-colouring. Very slight creasing and very slight browning but otherwise in exceptional condition. Signed Tanjodo Ishikawa Shuha Toyonobu zu. Seals Toyonobu and Ishikawa uji.

      Status: Sold




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        Yanagawa SHIGENOBU (1787-1833)



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        An original painting by this artist who was the pupil and then son-in-law of Hokusai. He was given the name Yanagawa (from his residence in the Honjo district of Edo) to distinguish him from other Shigenobu artists. A good book illustrator and surimono designer. He designed the first square surimono in Osaka in 1822, inspiring others to follow. His paintings are rare. Shows a portrait of the Japanese scholar and writer Ishikawa Masamochi (1754-1830). The fifth son of Ishikawa Toyonobu, he was a renowned kyoka poet and Gesaku writer (playful, mocking works), including The Magical Carpenter of Japan. An important figure in kyoka/surimono circles. Known as Rokujuen (Yadao no Meshimori). His family crest is seen on his kimono and he sits before a low desk ready to write. A high quality painting, sumi and colour on silk, 29 x 12.5 in.; 73.6 x 31.8 cms. Several small backed wormholes at bottom, otherwise very good condition. Would benefit from being remounted.

         

        Signed Shigenobu with seal Yanagawa.

         

        Status: Available

         




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          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 )