Posts by Richard Kruml:
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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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 on the Chinese novel Shui Hu Zhuan, attributed to Shi’Nai’an, which tells of a band of 108 brigands who operated from Liangshan Marsh. Published by Kagaya Kichiyemon, 1827-30. Robinson S.26.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size (unusual as these prints are overlarge obans and often trimmed). Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
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 […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. 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 […]
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 […]