Posts by Richard Kruml:
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A fine snow scene: Iki Shisaku, “Shisaku in Iki Province” from a set of sixty-nine prints plus title page Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, 1853-1856 (this being 1856). This far-flung region of Japan at the southern tip of the main group of islands is evocatively captured here.
Superb impression of the very rare first edition with variegated cartouche and bokashi clouds. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Awa Naruto no fuha, “Angry Seas at Naruto, Awa” from a set of sixty-nine prints plus title page Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, 1853-1856 (this being 1855). The most famous design from the set. This area of sea between […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A complete Tokaido set of 56 prints printed four-to-a-sheet on fourteen sheets, uncut. Each sheet has an indication of where it is to be cut. Published by Aritaya Seiemon, 1845. Extremely rare complete. Fine impressions and colour. Centre folds and some soil at bottom on some […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Although Eisen produced a considerable number of bijin-e and surimono, his best work was in landscape design and amongst these the finest are this set and a few designs for the Kisokaido. Kirifuri-no-taki, santaki no sono ikkei, “Kirifuri Waterfall – View of One of the Three Falls.” From […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Although Eisen produced a considerable number of bijin-e and surimono, his best work was in landscape design and amongst these the finest are this set and a few designs for the Kisokaido. Somen-no-taki, “Somen Waterfall.” From a set Nikkozan meisho no uchi, “Celebrated Views in the Nikko Mountains.” […]
Furuyama MOROMASA (C. 1712-1772)
Click here to view image full size. A rare artist, possibly the son and pupil of Furuyama Moroshige. Shows the famous poet Saigyo Hoshi (1118-1190) gazing up at the courtesan Eguchi as the Bodhisattva Fugen on a white elephant. The poet is famous for his long poetic journeys around Japan but especially to northern Honshu. […]
Kitao SHIGEMASA (1739-1820)
Click here to view image full size. A large panel, 12.5 x 16.75 in; 31.5 x 42.5 cms in two shades of beni, yellow and blue (partially faded). Published by Eijudo c. 1768-72. Title in right panel: Uki-e Kanadehon Chushingura youchi no zu, “The Night Attack from the Storehouse of Loyalty, New Perspectives.” On the […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical oban diptych showing the renowned swimmer and fishmonger Rorihakucho Chojun grappling underwater with the famous (but non-swimmer) warrior Kokusenpu (“Black Whirlwind”) Riki. The result of Chojun challenging Riki to a fight after his gang attempt to rob some fishermen. They eventually become friends. Rorihakucho Chojun Kokusenpu […]
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 […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Triptych showing Kusunoki Matsatsura and his staff on a cliff watching Ashikaga’s troops massing. Published 1839-41 by Sano-ya Kihei. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The finest design from all the Hiroshige/Kunisada collaborations with the superb snowscape designed by Hiroshige, and the figures by Kunisada. From a triptych series Furyu Genji, “Elegant Genji.” The Tale of Genji was written by Shikibu Murasaki and published in 1021 and follows the life of this multi-endowed […]
Katsukawa SHUNTEI (1770-1820)
Click here to view image full size. A fabulous and extremely rare triptych showing the ama diver Tamatori-hime escaping from the Dragon King’s Palace with the priceless pearl. The story (with variations) relates how the Dragon King stole the jewel during a storm when it, and two other treasures, were being sent to Japan by […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Jakko Nunobiki no taki, “Jakko [Temple] Nunobiki Waterfall” from a set of eight prints Nikkosan meisho no uchi, “Celebrated Views in the Nikko Mountains.” Published by Yamamotoya Heikichi c. 1844. Obviously inspired by Hokusai’s set of waterfalls. See: The Japanese Print: A New Approach, J. Hillier, Bell & […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Kegon no taki, santaki no sono ikkei, “Kegon Falls, One of the Three Waterfalls” from a set of eight prints Nikkosan meisho no uchi, “Celebrated Views in the Nikko Mountains.” Published by Yamamotoya Heikichi c. 1844. Obviously inspired by Hokusai’s set of waterfalls. See: The Japanese Print: A […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych of the Ink Wars, Bokusen no zu. Evidently a court pastime during the Nara period (710-794) was to stage ink battles. Courtiers are involved in throwing ink and daubing each other with brushes. Published by San, 1843. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi […]
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
Click here to view image full size. An exceptionally rare triptych showing the great battle between Takeda Shingen (left) and Uesugi Kenshin (right) during the fourth (of five) Kawanakajima battles. Kenshin lunges with his sword but is parried by Shingen using his iron war fan (gunbai). These skirmishes took place in the mid. 16th century. […]
Utagawa KUNISADA II (1823-1880)
Click here to view image full size. A snow scene showing Prince Genji and attendants on Sugatami Bridge from a set of twelve months: Junikagetsu Genji no Sugatami. This being the eleventh month. Published by Yamashiroya Jinbei, 1867. Fine impression, colour and condition with extensive splashed gofun. Signed Kochoro Kunisada hitsu Status: Sold […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Soshu Shichirigahama, the “Seven Ri Beach” near Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. From the set Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “The One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” From the beach one gets a clear view of Fuji and Enoshima Island – both framed by a giant wave. The set […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kameido Tenmangu keidai no yuki, “The Compound of the Tenman Shrine at Kameido in Snow.” From a set of twenty-one prints Toto meisho, “Famous Views in the Eastern Capital” published by Sanoya Kihei, c. 1834-5. The series was extended to fifty-five in c.1839-42. One of the most famous […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Numazu, Hikure, “Yellow Dusk” from Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.” The set of fifty-five prints was published jointly by Hoeido and Senkakudo in 1834. Shows travellers about to enter the village of Numazu beneath the huge orb of the moon. On each side are […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kozuke, Harunasan setchu, “Kozuke [Province], Mount Haruna Under Snow.” From the set of sixty-nine prints, Rokuju-yoshu meisho zue, “Views of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” Published 1856 by Koshihei, although sealed between 1853-56 (this being 1853). A red bridge spans a gorge with precipitous cliffs and a […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The warrior Ritchitaisai Genshoji in a boat attacked by grappling-hooks thrown by his adversaries. 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 on the Chinese novel Shui Hu Zhuan, attributed to Shi’Nai’an, […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The ghost of Genta Yoshihira, having been executed by Taira no Kiyomori, springs into the air causing a thunderstorm and exacting revenge. The best design from Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” Published 1889 by Sasaki. Very fine impression, colour and condition. The first edition. Signed […]
MADOYA (Active c. 1830s)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono by an Osaka artist from a series with title Hasoku shunsho juhachi-ban no uchi,”Eighteen Pieces Praising Spring Near the Water.” Sub-title: Tenpozan (the name of the new port in Osaka Bay). Shows a girl in a boat beside the prow of a larger vessel. The Osaka […]
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)
Click here to view image full size. Hokkei, a pupil of Hokusai, is best known for his fine surimono. This rather enigmatic example shows an ox being led by a farmer and his son. There appears to be a festival element in the headgear. Presumably issued for the Ox year (1829). The poetry club logo, […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. The ghost of Genta Yoshihira. The best design from Shingata Sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts”. Published 1889. Fine impression, colour and condition. First edition. Signed Yoshitoshi. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Sukiya embankment in snow, Toto Sukiya-gashi, from Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Fuji.” The set published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. The rampart on the inner side of the moat of Edo Castle on the right. Figures cross a bridge leading to Sukiya Gate. In the distance the […]
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850) (Attrib. to.)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing a new year’s throng of musicians, a monkey trainer, a samurai and children with a large kite. Possibly one sheet of a diptych or triptych. A beautiful example of the art of the surimono. Rare. Superb impression. Fine colour with extensive silver, gold and […]
Utagawa TOYOHIRO (1773-1829)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing a mechanical doll with movable eyes and mouth. It holds two puppets of Chinese boys, karako, playing cymbols. These automata, karakuri ningyo, were popular in Edo-period Japan and those made by Takeda Omi were the most famous. The doll stands on a small table with […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Taira no Kiyomori haunted by strange sights, Taira no Kiyomori kaii o miru zu. Hiroshige’s finest musha-e. A triptych showing the dying Taira no Kiyomori, head of the Taira clan, tormented by hallucinations and seeing, from the veranda of his palace, the garden covered in snow and transmogrified […]
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing two dancers performing the Sparrow dance, Suzume odori. From a set of six prints forming a hexaptych (this being the top left sheet) for the Katsushika Poetry Club, Katsushika rokubantsuzuki, c 1827-8. The vertical gold bands suggest a birdcage.Illustrated in Surimono, in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono, Watakuri uma, from a series Uma tsukushi, “Horse Series.” The set of at least thirty surimono was issued by the Yomo-gawa Poetry Club for the Horse Year, 1822. The title alludes to the appearance of the watakuri, “cotton gin” usually seen atop a wooden sawhorse-like stand. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Fulling cloth beneath a full moon. Toi Tama-qawa in Settsu Province from the set Six Tama Rivers. One of the two best designs from the set. Published circa early 1830s. Fine impression and colour. Minor repair extreme top edge, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. A beautiful print. […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786 – 1865)
Click here to view image full size. 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 […]
Tomikichiro TOKURIKI (1902-2000)
Click here to view image full size. The original keyblock woodblock for print 20, Distant View of Fuji from Ise Asama Mountain from The Thirty-six Views of Fuji, published by Uchida Bijutsu Shoten, 1939-40. Sold together with the annotated finished print. The reverse of the block has another unidentified image. Block size 11.5 x 16.75 […]
Tomikichiro TOKURIKI (1902-2000)
Click here to view image full size. A complete set of 5 double-sided original woodblocks comprising the keyblock and 9 colour blocks. Sold together with the finished print. Although late, it’s very rare to find complete sets of blocks and shows clearly how the prints were produced. Some of the blocks retain the keyblock proofs […]
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786?-1868)
Click here to view image full size. A sailing junk caught in stormy seas, driving rain, and under a threatening sky. The masterpiece from a set of six prints issued in album form with title Naniwa meisho, Tempozan shokei ichiran, “A Famous Place in Osaka, Selected Views of Mount Tempo.” Published in Osaka, 1834, by […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A koban surimono from a kyoka set ( of one hundred ? ) published c. 1805. Shows a kyoka poet with poem by Mikumi Himemari. Seemingly the only large group illustrated is in the Katsushika Hokusai Exhibition from The Peter Morse Collection, Ukiyo-e Ota Memorial Museum of Art, […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Kido Maru learning magic from the forest tengu. Possibly Kuniyoshi’s greatest design in this genre. He is shown, cross-legged,atop a giant python, two wrapped pine sprigs (aomatsuba) in his mouth. A long dagger is driven into the python’s head and snakes curl around its blade. Robinson SIF.1. Illustrated […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing the famous poet and court noble, Ariwara no Narihira (825-880), on horseback with his attendant before Mt. Fuji on their way to the east. The eastern journey was one of the main parts of the Ise Monogatari. Published by Marukyu, c 1845-6. Fine […]