Posts by Richard Kruml:
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1832 – 1892)
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Saigo Takamori yumei hosho. Shows the ghost of Marshall Takamori ( 1827 -1877 ) holding a petition. Best known as the leader of the Satsuma rebellion, which was finally quashed at Kagoshima on Sept. 24th 1877. Saigo was wounded in the leg and his faithful retainer, Beppu Shinsuke, put an end to his life. A popular figure with a statue being erected in his honour in 1899 at the entrance to Ueno Park in Tokyo, and his son being made a Marquis in 1902. This print, published by Funazu Chujiro, was issued just under a year after he died in 7/1878. Exceptionally rare: One other ( trimmed ) impression illustrated in Beauty & Violence, Havilland Press, 1992, no. 37, p. 124. Interestingly, the print has a price of two sen, five rin marked on it.
Fine impression and colour. The ornate brocade printed in silver. Trimmed close on two sides and minor marks, otherwise good condition. Signed Oju “By special request” Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Hatakeyama Shoji Shigetada wounded by soldiers of his Lord Hojo Tokimasa. One of the best designs from a fine set: Yoshitoshi musha burui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors” published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro, 1883. This is the first edition with two red seals left margin, complete date with day, month and […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Hojo Tokimasa praying to a goddess in the sea. One of the best designs from a fine set: Yoshitoshi musha burui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors” published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro, 1883. This is the first edition with two red seals left margin, complete date with day, month and year in […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Lu Ta ( Lu Chi Shen ) demolishing the gate of the temple of the Five-Crested Mountain. A Chinese captain, he accidentally killed a man and to escape death he became a priest at the temple. The abbot cut his hair and renamed him Lu Chi Shen, “Lu […]
Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych Shijo-nawate nite Nanke no yeiyu taiteki wo. The last stand of the Kusunoki at Shijo-nawate under a hail of arrows in 1348. Right to left: Wada Shinbochi (Genshu), Kusunoki Masatsura, and Masatomo. Their blue demeaner indicates their imminent demise. Published 1857 by So-To (Sagamiya Tokichi). This […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A poem by Fujiwara no Yoshitaka (954-974) from Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki, the “Hundred Poems Explained by the Wet Nurse.” Published by Eijudo and Iseri, c 1835-6. Although obviously intended to be a set of 100 prints, only 27 are known plus drawings for others. The poet […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. 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. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Suruga Satta no kaijo, “The Sea at Satta, Suruga Province” from Fuji sanjurokkei, “The Thirty-Six Views of Fuji.” The best design from the set published by Koeido (Tsutaya Kichizo), 4/1858. A huge wave breaks on the right releasing a flock of chidori. These birds were supposed to originate […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The Sanza Theatre, Saruwaka-cho showing women on the balcony of a tea-house overlooking the street from an oban set Edo Meisho of approx. 45 prints published by Yamada-ya, 1853 – 1858, half being published in 1853. This design published 1858. Fine impression and colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Yoshiwara Station from a chuban Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido. The set of 55 prints published by Iseya Rihei, c 1806. Unsigned but the original wrapper evidently had Hokusai’s signature. Two women, a man and boy press grapes. Fine impression. Extremely fine colour. One small repaired wormhole near […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Masaki yukibare no zu, “Clear Weather After Snow at Masaki” from a Toto Meisho, “Famous Sights of the Eastern Capital” set published by Kikakudo (Sanoki), the seal in red in right margin c 1832-35. There is confusion over how many prints belong to this series: The original set […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Ushiwakamaru (the young Minamoto Yoshitsune) holding the spear of Ise Saburo Yoshimori as he and his compatriots pass over Yahagi Bridge. From a set of triptychs Bidan musha hakkei, “Eight Views from Fine Tales of Warriors.” This being Descending Geese at Yahagi Bridge. Published 2/1868 […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kawaguchi no watashi Zenkoji, “Ferryboats to Zenkoji Temple at Kawaguchi” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published between 1856 and 1858 (this being 1857) by Uoya Eikichi. This fine example of a first edition with the extra large margins has never been […]
Yanagawa SHIGENOBU II (active c 1824-1860)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono: Sono shichi – Nushi aru hana, “The Flower with an Owner.” Round 7 from a series Hana-awase, “A Flower Competition.” Usually a poetry competition to produce the best poems using different flowers, although in this instance the flowers are actually familiar terms incorporating the word “flower.” […]
Hasegawa SADANOBU I (1809-1879)
Click here to view image full size. A chuban landscape from a set of at least 30 prints: Miyako meisho no uchi, “Famous Places in the Capital [Kyoto].” This design, Shijo-bashi yori Nawate-dori Yamato-bashi o nozumo, “View from Shijo Bridge Towards Yamato Bridge at Nawate Street.” A fine set, inspired by Hiroshige, but not slavish […]
Hasegawa SADANOBU I (1809-1879)
Click here to view image full size. A chuban landscape from a set of at least 30 prints: Miyako meisho no uchi, “Famous Places in the Capital [Kyoto].” This design, Ryoan-ji yuki [no] akebono, “Snowy Dawn at Ryoan-ji Temple.” A fine set, inspired by Hiroshige, but not slavish copies and some excellent designs (as the […]
Hasegawa SADANOBU I (1809-1879)
Click here to view image full size. A chuban landscape from a set of at least 30 prints: Miyako meisho no uchi, “Famous Places in the Capital [Kyoto].” This design, Toganoo monzen uchu, “Temple Entrance at Toganoo in the Rain.” A fine set, inspired by Hiroshige, but not slavish copies and some excellent designs (as […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Mochizuki from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). Shows travellers on the Uryu […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. A view of Ama-no-hashidate, Tango Province, from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, the “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859-1861 (this being 10/1859). The place name can be translated as “Bridge to Heaven” and it’s considered to […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych: Honcho gito kurabe, “The Great Thieves of Japan, Compared.” Published by Iseki, 1865. Superb impression, colour and condition. Extensive mica and burnishing. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The warrior Ju-unryu Kosonsho holding a sword and making a magical gesture with his other hand. A dragon encircles the rock he stands on. A design from the set Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyaku-hachi-nin no hitori, “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One.” Based […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The apparition of the Sea Monk, Umibozu, looming above the sailor Kawanaya Tokuzo. The best design from the Tokaido gojusan tsui, Station 41, Kuwana. The legend has it that Tokuzo, against the advice of his peers, went to sea on the last day of the year. He subsequently […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Kiyohime (Princess Kiyo) who fell passionately in love with the monk Anchin and endeavoured to pursue him across a swollen river to his monastery. Unable to cross she transforms herself into a serpent-like creature to enable her to reach the other side. One of a set of […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the samurai Tawara Toda (“Lord of the Ricebag”) Hidesato slaying the monstrous centipede Mukade on the request of the Dragon King. Elated the king presents him with a bottomless bag of rice. Behind Hidesato is the centipede’s arch-enemy Otohime. One of a set of 26 prints with […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Suma Urabe Suetake, one of the retainers of Minamoto Yorimitsu, meeting the apparition of the woman Ubume, who is to place a baby boy in his arms. One of a set of 26 prints with title: Wakan hyaku monogatari, “One Hundred Tales of China and Japan.” Published […]
Utagawa YOSHIHARU (1828-1888)
Click here to view image full size. A fearsome beast looking over the shoulder of Senkaiji Chojun. One of a set Suikoden goketsu kagami, “Mirror of Heroes of the Suikoden.” The set published in conjuction with Yoshitaki and Yoshitsuya by Yamaguchiya Tobei, 1856. Fine impression of the first edition with variegated cartouche. Fine colour. […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The ghost of the wicked Genta Yoshihira attacking his executioner Nanba Jiro at the Nunobiki waterfall from Shinkei sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts.”The set published by Sasaki Toyokichi, 1889-1892 (this being 1889). One of the two best designs from the set. Very fine first edition. Fine […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Nichiren struggling up a snow-covered mountain near Tsukahara on the Island of Sado. The best design from Koso goichidai ryakuza, the “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder.” Nichiren being the founder of the Buddhist Nichiren sect ( Nichiren shu – Kuniyoshi being a follower ) and indeed the […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Ushiwakamaru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune, 1159-1189) and his manservant Onmaya Kisanta watching his loyal retainer, the warrior monk Benkei, dragging the giant Mii Temple bell up Mount Hiei. Benkei ga yuriki tawamure ni Miidera no tsurigane no Eizan e hikiaguru zu. Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, 1845-6. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The entrance to the Yoshiwara from a rare set of fourteen prints, Famous Places of the Eastern Capital, published by Sanoki in 1840-2. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. 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 […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
Click here to view image full size. Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, from the so-called “Upright Tokaido”, Gojusan tsugi meisho zue. The 12th of the 53 Stations. At its peak in Edo times the town had 1200 buildings. It is now Numazu City. The old adage that familiarity breeds contempt certainly applies to this set, which was […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Fireworks over Ryogoku Bridge from a rare set of fourteen prints, Famous Places of the Eastern Capital, published by Sanoki in 1840-2. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A view of Hara, Yoshiwara and Kanbara from Tokaido gojusan eki (shishuku meisho), “ Famous Views of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido (Four at a Time)” although the set actually varies, showing between three and six per sheet. The set of twelve designs published by Tsuruya Kiemon […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Travellers viewing Mount Asama. Usui-toge yori Asama o miru zu, “A View of Mount Asama from Usui Pass.” From Kuniyoshi’s best landscape set. Of the utmost rarity with most extant impressions differing. This and the impression in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, are similar, without the smoke […]
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
Click here to view image full size. A view of a smoking Mt Asama, Shinano Province from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, the ‘One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces’. Published by Uoei, Sheep 9 ( 1859 ). Very good impression, colour and, apart from one small spot, very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: […]
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing plum blossom and fugu (blowfish or puffer, Fugu pardalis). These fish are infamous for being poisonous, mainly from their liver and are expensive delicacies in the winter. Extremely rare: Two other genuine impressions are in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acc. no. 21.9297 and […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. The Seven Ri Beach, Sagami Province, Sagami Shichirigahama, from an unfinished set Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859 and 1861 (this being 1859). A popular area during Edo times as one could get a view of […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. The Dragon’s Maw Mountain, Bizen Province, Bizen tatsu-no-kuchi yama from an unfinished set Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859 and 1861 (this being 1860). Shows a lone figure battling a heavy rainstorm in a steep-sided canyon. […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Suruga Satta no kaijo, “The Sea at Satta, Suruga Province” from the set Fuji sanjurokkei, “The Thirty-Six Views of Fuji.” The series published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. Shows the coast of Oyashirazu at Satta on the west side of Suruga Bay with a large wave about to break […]