Posts by Richard Kruml:
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A complete hexaptych (six-sheet) design comprising two triptychs: Kawanakajima okassen no zu, “The Great Battle of Kawanakajima,” published by Tsujibun, 6/1866 and Takeda yusho kessen no zu, “The Bloody Battle of the Brave Generals of the Takeda Clan,” published by Tsujibun, 6/1867. The great battles of Kawanakajima took place between 1553 and 1564 between the daimyos Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) and Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578). Starting as more skirmishes than all out warfare they ended up with a fourth battle where Kenshin is estimated to have had 72% casualties and Shingen 62%. Rare complete.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786 ?-1868)
Click here to view image full size. Best known for his surimono although he produced fine paintings, some good landscapes and was also known as a poet. A surimono showing a young mother making a temari ball. This form of folk art arrived from China in the 7th c. The balls were given to children […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A snow scene showing the Inokashira Benten Shrine and Inokashira Pond, Inokashira no ike Benzaiten no Yashiro no kei from a set Meisho setsugekka, “Famous Places of Snow, Moon and Flowers.” The pond was originally built to supply water for Edo. This is the first edition published by […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A view of the beautiful peninsula of Izu, Izu no sanchu, “In the Mountains of Izu Province” from Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Fuji.” The set published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. This area is about 100 km southwest of Tokyo and a popular place to visit. […]
Utagawa 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 […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Suruga Miho no Matsubara, “Miho no Matsubara in Suruga Province” from Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Fuji.” The set published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. Shows the renowned pine trees with a majestic Fuji below a yellow sky. Many of these pines are now hundreds of years old. […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Men punting rafts on the Sagami River from Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Fuji.” The set published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858.This print was included in the background of the famous 1887 portrait of Pere Tanguy by Vincent Van Gogh. The river was sometimes referred to as the […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. An early warrior print showing Rokuson Okeigi (Minamoto no Tsunemoto [894-961]) battling a giant dragon. From a set Honcho komei kagami, “A Mirror of Our Country’s Renown Heroes” published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1835. Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kocho […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Ono no Tofu (Michikaze) in court robes learns perserverance by watching the efforts of a frog to climb a branch of a willow tree. From a set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published c. 1845 by Enshuya Matabei. Robinson S35.10. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Six uncut double chuban sheets from a bat Chushingura set. Acts 1 to 6: Shodanme; Nidanme; Sandanme; Yodanme; Godanme; Rokudanme. Published c. 1847 by Ibaya Senzaburo. Of the utmost rarity: I cannot, at the moment, locate other examples from this set. Fine impressions and colour. Vertical […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A design from a set Azuma nishiki ukiyo kodan, “Rough Tales of the Floating World.” Various publishers between 1867 -1868, here Omi-Kyu in 1868. The prints interpret stories told by various well known storytellers, in this case Momokawa Enkoku. Shows the Monkey King (Son Goku) being catapulted into […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the famous Heron Maiden. There are different versions of this story but the most common tells how a young man finds an injured heron. He nurses it back to health and releases it. Some time later a beautiful young woman appears in his village. He falls in […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych Masakiyo sankan taiji no zu, “A Picture of Masakiyo Conquering Korea.” The design purports to show Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611) invading Korea, but is probably a reference to the English bombardment of Kagoshima harbour in 1863. There is further confusion by the Koreans being dressed in medieval […]
Utagawa YOSHICHIKA (Fl. c. 1850-1868)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing the famous battle at Honno-ji Temple, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto in 1582. Honno-ji dai gassen no zu. The Daimyo Oda Nobunaga was at the height of his powers but came under attack from his treacherous samurai general Akechi Mitsuhide and the Oda forces. Nobunaga, his wife Noh […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. A large surimono which shows Danjuro VII in Shibaraku on a fan on the right. He did, in fact, perform Shibaraku in the 11th month kaomise performance at the Morita-za theatre in 1812 (which fits the style of Toyokuni’s signature). However, the rest of the design appears to […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. The Sumida River in snow from a series of views of the Koto Ward of Edo. This area was bounded by the Sumida to the west and the Arakawa to the east. Shows travellers being ferried across the river. No publisher or date given. Very good impression, colour […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych, Shinshu Sarashina tagoro no tsuki, “The Moon Reflected in the Rice Fields at Sarashina, Shinano Province.” Shows a group of women and two Buddhist monks admiring the phenomenon. The Japanese seem to have had a fascination with the full moon and especially Hiroshige who incorporated it […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Kato Kiyomasa (Watonai) attacking a huge man-eating tiger in a snowy Korean landscape. Watonai tora-gari no zu. His henchmen tackle other tigers. This is one of his best known exploits in Korea, there being two expeditions in 1592 and 1597. Published by Yamashiroya Jimbei, c […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
Click here to view image full size. Fujikawa, Aichi Prefecture, from the so-called “Upright Tokaido”, Gojusan tsugi meisho zue. The 37th of the 53 Stations. At its peak in Edo times the town had 302 buildings. It is now part of Okazaki City. The old adage that familiarity breeds contempt certainly applies to this set, […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A summer night on the Sumida river, Edo, illustrating a poem by the 9th – 10th century poet Kiyowara no Fukayabu. From the set: Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki. “The Hundred Poems by a Hundred Poets Explained by a Nurse. Twenty seven published designs are known for this […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Shinshu Asama-yama shinkei, “A True View of Mount Asama in Shinano Province.” From Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi, 1859-61 (this being 1859). Shows the volcano emitting a huge plume of smoke. (This is termed an active […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. A true view of Muro Harbour in Harima Province, Banshu Muro-no-tsu, from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi, 1859-61 (this being 1859). Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Small backed binding holes in right […]
Utagawa YOSHITORA (Active 1836-87)
Click here to view image full size. Uji Joetsu killing a huge monster with a long-haired albino coat and giant claws. From a set: Honcho kendo tatsujin hyakunin no uchi hitori, “A Hundred Great Swordsmen of Our Country.” Published by Itoya Fukujiro, 1859. Fine impression. The monster’s coat completely blind-printed. Fine colour. Slightly trimmed, […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The priest Nichiren standing on the rocky promontory at Reizan in Kamakura and having his prayers for rain answered. The event occurred in 1271. His disciples surround him and protect him from the deluge with a large umbrella. Bunei hachi Kamakura Reizan-ga-saki uki. The second best design from […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Roba kiwan o mochisaru from Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set of thirty-six prints published by Sasaki Toyokichi 1889-1892 (this being 1889). Shows the demon Ibaraki escaping with her severed arm. She had haunted the Rashomon Gate near the Toji Temple in Kyoto. Watanabe no […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Hashihime from Buyu nazoraye Genji, “Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji.” Shows Watanabe no Tsuna on horseback and the demon-woman Ibaraki at the Modori bridge, Ichijo, Kyoto. An o-tanzaku set published by Iba-ya Sensaburo, c 1843. The fifty-four Chapters of Genji, the Genji Monogatari, was a tenth […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Komachizakura no sei from Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set of thirty-six prints published by Sasaki Toyokichi 1889-1892 (this being 1889). The story relates how Lord Kuronushi is on his way to attempt the overthrow of the Emperor. To make his journey auspicious he stops […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. The bridge over the Ina River at Nojiri, Nojiri Inagawabashi enkei, from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi , “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei […]
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
Click here to view image full size. A dramatic triptych: Kyokyaku Suikoden no uchi: Kogakure no Kiritaro yojutsu o motte sugata o kakasu. The Kyokyaku Suikoden: Kogakure no Kiritaro hiding himself by using witchcraft. The snake, with Kiritaro standing on him, has emanated from the kago in the centre sheet to the confusion of the […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Onden no suisha, “Waterwheel at Onden” from the set Fugaku sanju-rokkei, the “Thirty-Six Views of Fuji.” The series published by Eijudo between 1829-33 and extended to forty six prints. These extra designs have a black outline, whereas the first thirty six have blue outlines in the early editions […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Kozuke Sano funabashi no kozu, “Old View of the Pontoon Bridge at Sano, Kozuke Province.” From a set of eleven prints, Shokoku meikyo kiran, “Wondrous Views of Famous Bridges in All the Provinces.” A snow scene showing travellers, one on horseback, traversing the pontoon bridge built of boats. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Tametomo at the age of thirteen catching the arrows shot at him by two of the Emperor’s guard in a competition with Shonagon Nyudo Shinsei. From a set: Tametomo homare no jikketsu, “Ten Famous Excellencies of Tametomo.” The set published by Aritaya Seiyemon, c 1848-51. Extremely fine […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Takeda Shingen seated and holding a war-fan and rosary and fully armoured. From a series: Meiko hyaku yu den, “Stories of a Hundred Heroes of High Renown” published by Idzumiya Ichibei, 1843-4. Very fine impression, fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. The devoted wife Sayohime from Thirty-six Good and Evil Beauties.” She is seen on a rocky outcrop watching her husband Otomo Sadehiko sail away to war. Legend has it that she wept for so long that she eventually turned to stone. The figure being referred to as Bofu-seki, […]
KINKO
Click here to view image full size. A surimono of what may be a Japanese bush warbler ( uguisu ), the harbinger of spring, perched on a weeping cherry branch.Three poems below. Fine impression and colour. Slight signs of mounting au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed and sealed Kinko. Seal of engraver Shiho Sanshi […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Echikawa from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “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 the Echi river with a […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Sagamigawa, “The Sagami River” Sagami Province. Rafts being poled down the river with tall water reeds and herons from Fuji sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of Fuji” published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. This set was started 5 months before Hiroshige’s death. Early impressions, as here, were printed very carefully as […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE) (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych of Shoki, the Demon Queller. The character originates from China being a deity from China’s Taoist pantheon. He is always shown with his scholar’s hat, large robe and boots, and usually carrying a sword with which he attacks oni. Images of Shoki were hung outside […]
Keisai EISEN (1764-1824)
Click here to view image full size. Itahana from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “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). One of the best designs from […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Suruga Miho no Matsubara. Shows the famous Pine Beech, Suruga Province. from Fuji sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of Fuji” published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. This was considered to offer one of the best views of Fuji.The set was started 5 months before Hiroshige’s death. Early impressions, as here, were […]