Posts by Richard Kruml:
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 complex volcano with major eruptions in 1108 and 1783 and many minor eruptions and tremors since.)
Superb impression and colour of the first edition. Repaired binding holes in left margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
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 […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych: Mongaku shonin aragyo no zu. One of a series of 16 vertical diptychs published in the 1880s. Shows the priest Mongaku atoning for his sins in the icy waters of the Nachi waterfall but being saved just in time by Seitaka doji, one of the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kai Otsukinohara, the Otsuki Plain in Kai Province. A meandering stream with flowers and pampas grass 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 a tribute […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The compound of the Tenman Shrine at Kameido, Kameido Tenmangu keidai no yuki. The best design from a Toto meisho set of 21 prints published by Kikakudo (Sanoki) c 1832-5 and then extended to 55 in c. 1839-42. Also one of the best known places in Edo with […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Musashi Tamagawa, “Tama River, Musashi” Musashi Province. A view from Koganei with flowering cherry trees 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 a tribute to […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The Shin Yoshiwara from a Toto meisho “Famous Views of the Eastern Capital” set of 10 prints published by Kagaya Kichibei, c. 1831. The “Shin” or “New” Yoshiwara was so named after its relocation after a fire in 1657. It can be seen in the distance. In the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Two tanzaku prints from a Toto meisho “Famous Places of the Eastern Capital” set that were printed two-to-a-sheet. They were cut down the middle but in this case the two prints were kept together which is extremely rare. On the left: Kanda Myoujin, “Kanda Shrine.” On the right: […]
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing a game of rock-paper-scissors, although this might be a variant called Kitsune-ken, with fox-hunter-village chief. The game originates (as so much in Japan) from China and eventually made its way to the west. This was (and is) a dangerous game to play with ladies who […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Izu no sanchu, “In the Mountains, Izu” the Joren Falls flow down between hills 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 a tribute to Hiroshige. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Minamoto Tametomo (1139-70) decapitating Yamaotoko from a set of ten prints: Tametomo homare no jikketsu, “Ten Famous Glories of Tametomo.” A great archer (it being said that his left arm was four inches longer than his right), and a wild and colourful character. The story shown here relates […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Satomi Jibu-no-taifu Yoshizane, a daimyo in control of Takita Castle from Satomi Hakkenden, the eight heroes of Bakin’s novel Hakkenden. Published by Mikawa-ya Tetsugoro, c 1849-51. See the Kunichika triptych of the same subject on this current selection. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiryusai Kuniyoshi ga. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Shiba Zojoji setchu, “Snow at Zojoji Temple” from a set Edo meisho mitu no nagame, “Three Special Views of Edo” published by Uoya Eikichi, c 1840-42. The temple, together with Kan’ei-ji, was the Tokugawa’s family temple. Rare. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Nitta Tadatsune encountering the goddess of Mount Fuji and her dragon in a cavern with numerous stalactites and a fast flowing river and waterfall. She complimented Tadatsune on his courage while his compatriots were stricken with terror. Statues of the goddess Kwannon ( Chin: Guanyin ) are often […]
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing two beauties by the pond at Tsunowazu Kumano Shrine in Yotsuya. The title is: Yotsuya Juniso, referring to the twelve shrines at Tsunowazu in Yotsuya. The poem on the large stone is by Shibanoya and refers to the peacefulness of the place with the willows […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1785-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing the actors Ichikawa Monnosuke III (right) and Ichikawa Danjuro VII walking in the emado of Asakusa Temple in Edo. This was a pavilion at the Shinto shrine used for displaying votive tablets. This seems to be part of a three or five sheet set showing […]
Kubo SHUMMAN (1757-1820)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing court figures dancing from a series: Shofudai Hisakataya Bunbunsha Tosa Nikki, “The Tosa Diary for the Shofudai, Hisakataya and Bunbunsha Poetry Groups.” Issued late 1810s. For another from this series see: Jewels Of Japanese Printmaking: Surimono Of The Bunka-Bunsei Era 1804-1830, Joan B. Mirviss, Ota […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1785-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing Ichikawa Danjuro VII and Bando Mitsugoro III as Soga no Goro and Asahina no Saburo in the armour-pulling (kusazuri-biki) scene from the play Tsukisenzu haru gohiki Soga. Issued 1827. The story relates how Soga no Goro was feasting at a banquet when he learns of […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono, Umazakushi, showing a saddle and cotton-gin from Watakuri uma, “A Series of Horses.” Issued for the Yomogawa club, 1822. Shows a horse’s saddle, a cotton-gin, basket of cotton floss and a branch of plum. A smoking set in the foreground. This set followed on from the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The compound of the Tenman Shrine at Kameido, Kameido Tenmangu keidai no yuki. The best design from a Toto meisho set of 21 prints published by Kikakudo (Sanoki) c 1832-5 and then extended to 55 in c. 1839-42. Also one of the best known places in Edo with […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Soshu Enoshima Benzaiten kaicho mode Hongu Iwaya no zu, “Pilgrimage to the Cave Shrine of Benzaiten on Enoshima.” A triptych showing the back view of the island (the causeway being on the other side) with the Iwaya cave on the right. Groups of women from Edo schools of […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Midono 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 (Kinjudo). The conjecture is that Hiroshige was the better known […]