Posts by Richard Kruml:
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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An amorous couple from an unsigned abuna-e (from abunai, risqué) set of twelve prints Keisai higo, “Secret Words of a Courtesan” published c. 1822-25. Although coming under the heading of shunga, each print is without any graphic details. She adjusts his hair with her hairpin while he smokes a pipe.
Fine impression, colour and condition. (Without centre fold, which is often encountered on this set.
Status: Available
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. The geisha Hinaogi of the Daikokuya preparing to play the koto. She is adjusting the tsume (plectra) on her fingers that were used to pluck the strings. The title is enigmatic: It reads Ka getsu kai, “Harbinger of Moon and Flower” and if the character for “moon” is […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Hokusai’s interpretation of a poem by Onakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason (921-991). From an unfinished set: Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki, “Pictures of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by the Nurse.” The poems are from an anthology Hyakunin isshu, “One Hundred People, One Poem Each” compiled […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Station Suhara from Kisokaido rokujukyu tsugi no uchi, “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido” published by Kinjudo, 1834-1842. The road known as the Nakasendo, “central mountain route,” as opposed to the Tokaido which was the “eastern sea route” was started with Keisai Eisen and finished by Hiroshige who designed […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Suruga, Miho no Matsubara, “Pine Beach of Miho in Suruga [Province]” from Fuji sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of Fuji” published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. A striking design with the yellow sky and one of the best prints from the set. The Miho peninsula has a seven-kilometre seashore lined with […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. 2 vols. complete: Kanjaku tsuizen hanashidori, “The Liberated Birds: A Memorial Book for Kanjaku.” A memorial book for the actor Nakamura Utaemon who died in 1852. He had the literary name of Kanjaku, meaning ”playing with sparrows” and the covers and many illustrations allude to this custom of […]
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
Click here to view image full size. Two volumes complete: Ehon haru no nishiki, “Picture Book: The Brocades of Spring.” Vol. 1: 1 page preface dated Kanoto U (1770); single page and 8 double page colour prints. Vol. 2: 1 single page and 8 double page colour prints. 1 page colophon with date, publisher, block-cutter […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size. A large original painting, full colour on silk, image size 48 x 21.75 in; 122 x 55.25 cms. A draughtsman of great dexterity with a wild, often bizzare , imagination. Loved sake, sometimes painting under its influence. At an early stage studied under Kuniyoshi, then Maemura Towa and […]
Kitagawa FUJIMARO (1790-1850)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, full colour on silk, image size 35.25 x 13.5 in; 89.5 x 34.5 cms. Fujimaro was a talented late pupil of Utamaro. More than a dozen paintings are recorded by him including an example in the Portland Art Museum, acc. number 69.51. His best-known work […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size. A fine original Kyosai painting, full colour on silk, 47.5 x 16.5 in; 121 x 42 cms. Shows Emma, the King of Hell, walking with and holding an umbrella above a courtesan while a ghoulish oni looks on wearing a costume of gunnera leaves. Emma-O is the Japanese […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Watanabe no Tsuna on horseback in the rain. One of the finest designs from Wakan hyaku monogatari. Published by Daikin, 1865/2. Fine impression and colour. Minor wormage otherwise very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga. Status: Available
Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)
Click here to view image full size. A scene taken from the Chinese 14th century heroic novel San guo zhi yanyi, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” attributed to Luo Guanzhong. Shows in the centre Liu Bei (Jap. Ryubei), the founder of the Kingdom of Shu, and the two warriors, Guan Yu (Kan U) on the […]
Utagawa YOSHITORA (1836-1887)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing the warrior Inukai Genpachi (the famous character from the Hakkenden) confronting a cat monster which has emanated from a horse on Mount Koshin. Other cat monsters stare in amazement. Published by Kojimaya Jubei, 1850. Very fine impression. Fine colour. Imperceptible small binding holes, […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Sagami Jiro Taira no Masakado on horseback attacking an opponent and having cut his sword in two. From a set Yoshitoshi musha burui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” Published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro, 1883. Very fine impression: This is the first edition with three-colour cartouche and small red […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Shoguntaro Taira Yoshikado (centre), his sister Takiyasha-hime (left), and Yoshikado’s retainer, Iga Jutaro, watching magic toads wrestling. Huge toads loom above them. Shogun Taro Yoshikado mikata wo atsumen ga tame etc. Takiyasha-hime was known for her toad magic which she had gained from a scroll […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing an exploding land-mine throwing bodies and horses into the ether. Taiheiki Masakiyo nansen no zu, “Masakiyo’s Difficult Battle from the Taiheiki.” Figures identified in the print are the 14th century warriors Sato Shukei no Kami Masakiyo and Shimura Masazo Katsutoyo, but by way of avoiding […]
Katsukawa SHUNJO (?-1787)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing the actor Onoe Matsusuke I in a Shibaraku role holding a lantern. (Possibly as Sakata no Kintoki). Shunjo was a pupil of Katsukawa Shunsho. Published c 1780. Fine impression. Very fine colour and condition. Signed Shunjo ga. Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. 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 […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. 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 […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Nikko Shimofuri no taki, “Shimofuri Waterfall in Nikko” from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859-1861 (this being 1859). Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Spring moon at the shore of Tsukudajima . One of a set of chu-tanzaku prints published by Shogendo, c. 1837. Tsukudajima was one of two islands at the mouth of the Sumida River. Originally a sanbar, it was reclaimed with earth and rocks and given its name by […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Tokaido hidari Fuji, “Fuji Seen from the left on the Tokaido [Road]” from Fuji sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of Fuji” published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. Shows travellers on the Tokaido Road at Oiso with workers in rice paddies beyond. Fine early impression and colour with the red […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An important pair of original paintings, light colour on silk, 35.5 x 12.75 in; 90 x 32.5 cms. The left painting shows Asukayama in the Eastern Capital (Edo). This was one of the top areas to view the abundant cherry trees, the first of which were planted by […]
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting by Hokkei, full colour on silk, 41.5 x 19.25 in; 105.5 x 49 cms. Hokkei was one of the earliest and best pupils of Hokusai. Probably best known for his large output of surimono, but also produced illustrated books and paintings. Shows a beauty fulling […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size. A fine original Kyosai painting, full colour on paper, 51.5 x 21.5 in; 131 x 54.5 cms. Shows Otafuku being carried across a river on the back of a blue oni. They look down with consternation at a red oni who has fallen into the water spilling his […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A cho-oban (20 x 6.75 inches) print showing beauties fishing. The top figure has caught a crayfish. Each design interprets a haiku poem in red, top right. A set of 6 prints published by Matsui Eikichi, 1893. Rare. Fine impression and colour. Slight creasing, otherwise fine […]
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. An aiban print showing the courtesan Segawa of the Matsubaya drinking ayamezake (a sake soaked with iris root) from a set Seiro gosekku, “Beauties of the Yoshiwara Compared to the Five Festivals.” In this case the Boys’ Festival held on the 5th May. Published by Iseya Soemon, c […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An untitled triptych showing two beauties and a maidservant lighting their way with a lantern and carrying a shamisen box. The beam of light from the lantern illuminates the foreground figures and a leaping dog but leaves the background figures in silhouette. Published by Mikawaya Seimon, c. mid […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Horikiri no hana shobu, “Iris Garden at Horikiri” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi, 1856-58 (this being 1857). Horikiri village on the Arakawa River, north of Edo, was famous for growing irises, chrysanthemums, morning glory and azaleas for the Edo market. […]
Watanabe SEITEI (SHOTEI) (1851-1918)
Click here to view image full size. A large original painting, full colour on silk. Image size 47.25 x 20 in; 120 x 51 cms. Shows Japanese water iris with water striders. Seitei is best known as a kachoga (“bird and flower”) artist. He was technically brilliant showing realistic detail in a Japanese style but […]
Watanabe SEITEI (SHOTEI) (1851-1918)
Click here to view image full size. A large original painting, full colour on silk. Image size 47.25 x 20 in; 120 x 51 cms. Shows Japanese water iris with a snail. Seitei is best known as a kachoga (“bird and flower”) artist. He was technically brilliant showing realistic detail in a Japanese style but […]
Hosoda EISHI (1756-1829)
Click here to view image full size. Two beauties examining tanzaku poetry cards from a set Ukiyo Genji hakkei, “Eight Views of Genji in the Floating World.” The designs stand alone but also form diptychs. This series compares scenes from the famous Tale of Genji novel written by the Lady Murasaki in the early 11th […]
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. An early complete 5-sheet (pentaptych) design being a mitate-e of a daimyo’s procession along Kugenuma beach with Enoshima island and Mt. Fuji in the background. Harugasumi hana iki retsu, “Journey in the Spring Mist.” The regional feudal lords (daimyo) were required every alternative year to travel to the […]
Kitao MASANOBU (1761-1816)
Click here to view image full size. Shows a couple caught in a downpour, the man shielding his companion with an umbrella. They are on the shore of Lake Biwa, northeast of Kyoto. In the distance can be seen the famous ancient pine tree in the grounds of the Karasaki Shrine. An unsigned (few of […]
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing the actor Nakamura Utaemon I as a samurai in nagabakama and kamishimo ceremonial dress as worn during the Muromachi period (1336-1392). He holds a fan and a globe. Shunsho was the pre-eminent exponent of the hosoban format. Published c 1770. Fine impression. Unusual […]
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
Click here to view image full size. One of the most influential and innovative print designers, publishers and painters. He is also credited with inventing the hashira-e as well as being the first to use multiple-block printing. A wide hashira-e (habahiro hashira-e, 24 x 6 in; 61 x 15 cms) showing the actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Chapter 32: Umegaye, “Plum brach” from an o-tanzaku set: Buyu nazorae Genji, “Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji.” Shows the Minamoto samurai Kajiwara Genda Kagesuye (1162-1200) fighting at Ikura-no-mori during the Genpai wars between the Taira and Minomoto clans. He has a plum branch stuck in his […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Saito Toshimoto nyudo Ryuhon in armour struggling with a Chinese brigand underwater. From the set Taiheiki yeiyuden, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki.” A history of the wars of the loyalist Nitta and Kusunoki families against the Ashikaga war-lords during the second quarter of the 14th century. But in […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych from a set Bidan musha hakkei, “Eight Views of Warriors’ Fine Tales.” This design Togakushi no seiran, “Clearing Weather of the Togakushi Mountains.” Princess Sarashina, who is actually a female oni called Momji, “Maple Leaves,” having transformed herself, is seen screaming from behind a giant drum […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Inuyama Dosetsu, one of the eight dog heroes, enveloped in a conflagration. The heroes represent a Confucian ideal or Buddhist regulation and meet various adversaries in the epic Nanso satomi hakkenden, “Biography of the Eight Dogs” written by Takizawa Bakin between 1814 and 1842. Dosetsu is gifted with […]