Posts by Richard Kruml:
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A snow scene: Atago shita yabukoji, “Bamboo Lane Below Atago Hill” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo”. Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 (1856-58). This design dated Dragon 12 (1856). The large building on the left housed the daimyo’s servants and retainers.
Very good impression and colour. Small backed wormhole in top margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Araki Matayemon standing, examining his sword from Honcho kendo ryaku den, “Abridged Stories of Our Country’s Swordsmanship.” The set published by Kadzusaya Iwazo in c 1845-6. Extremely fine impression, colour and condition. Solid yellow ground. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Yoshioka Kanefusa defending himself in an attack by police from Honcho kendo ryaku den, “Abridged Stories of Our Country’s Swordsmanship.” The set published by Kadzusaya Iwazo in c 1845-6. Extremely fine impression, colour and condition. Solid yellow ground. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A bust portrait of the sumo wrestler Nuregami Chogoro holding a pipe from the series Kuniyoshi moyo shofuda tsuketari genkin otoko, “ Men of Ready Money with True Labels Attached, Kuniyoshi Fashion.” The title derived from a contemporary kabuki play Shofuda tsuki kongen kusazuri. Poem above by Rosho. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A bust portrait of Goshaku Somegoro playing a shakuhachi from the series Kuniyoshi moyo shofuda tsuketari genkin otoko, “ Men of Ready Money with True Labels Attached, Kuniyoshi Fashion.” The title derived from a contemporary kabuki play Shofuda tsuki kongen kusazuri. Poem above by Umeya. Robinson S40.3. Published […]
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
Click here to view image full size. Yoshida Sadaemon Kanesada slicing arrows in half with his sword from a set Gishi Meimei jitsu den, “Biographies of Loyal Followers [aka The 47 Ronin].” The series published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke, 1860. Extremely fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Sasaki Ganryu standing, in profile, with clenched fist, from Honcho kendo ryaku den, “Abridged Stories of Our Country’s Swordsmanship.” The set published by Kadzusaya Iwazo in c 1845-6. Extremely fine impression, colour and condition. Solid yellow ground. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Tadatsune killing the monstrous wild boar watched by Yoritomo and his entourage. Published c 1842-3. Robinson T99. Fine impression and colour. Minor trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Kiyohime assumes a serpent form at Hidaka river as she continues her pursuit of the monk Anchin. From the set Shinkei sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set published by Sasaki Toyokichi, 1889 and 1890. Extremely fine impression of the first edition with three-colour cartouche. Fine […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A design showing Hojo Tokiyori in a snowy landscape from the set Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “Mirror of Famous Commanders of Great Japan.” He was Regent during the Kamakura period (1185-1333) but withdrew to the temple of Saimyoji and subsequently travelled around the country incognito to familiarize himself […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Takeda Katsuchiyo in his boyhood killing an old badger which had transformed itself into a wooden saddle-horse. From the set Shinkei sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set published by Sasaki Toyokichi, 1889 and 1890. Very fine impression of the first edition with three-colour cartouche. Fine […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. India from Sangoku yoko zue, “The Magic Fox of the Three Countries [China, India, Japan].” A set with strong western elements. Here showing Kwayo-fujin (the fox) having shot a St. Sebastian-like figure in the eye watched by King Hansoku. Both attired in exotic and archaic western garments and […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The warrior Hakumenrokun Teitenju in full armour levering a mass of rock with an iron bar. 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 […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The warrior Chusenko Teitokuson driving his sword into a huge snake. 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 […]
Toyohara CHIKANOBU (1838-1912)
Click here to view image full size. An apparition of a nine-tailed fox. These foxes could turn themselves into beautiful women when a hundred years old. From a set of 50 prints: Azuma nishiki chuya karabe, “Eastern Brocades, Day and Night, Compared.” Published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro, 1886. Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An early design without series title showing Nikki Gennosuke in pouring rain fending off wild wolves while suddenly observing the apparition of a dead man behind him. Published by Tsuta-ya Kichizo, c 1840. Robinson S1e.2. A fine and rare design. Very good impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise […]
Utagawa YOSHIIKU ( 1833-1904 )
Click here to view image full size. No. 30, Sakai Kuzo Hisatsune surviving gunshot from a large chuban series Taiheiki eiyuden “ Biographies of the Heroes of the Taiheiki.” A fictional history written in the late 14th century. The set published by Hirooka Kosuke, 1/1867. One of the four best designs from the set. Fine […]
Utagawa YOSHIIKU ( 1833-1904 )
Click here to view image full size. No. 61, Saito Izu-no-kami Toshimitsu fighting an adversary under water from a large chuban series Taiheiki eiyuden “Biographies of the Heroes of the Taiheiki. “ A fictional history written in the late 14th century. The set published by Hirooka Kosuke, 1/1867. One of the four best designs from […]
Utagawa YOSHIIKU ( 1833-1904 )
Click here to view image full size. No. 32, Horio Mosuke Yoshiharu fighting a large boar from a large chuban series Taiheiki eiyuden “ Biographies of the Heroes of the Taiheiki. “ A fictional history written in the late 14th century. The set published by Hirooka Kosuke, 1/1867. One of the four best designs from […]
Takahashi CHIHARU (1777-1859)
Sold Click here to view image full size. A surimono in Yamato-e style showing Otohime and Tawara Toda on the long bridge at Seta. There are different versions of this popular legend. One has it that Otohime, the Dragon Princess, had an enemy in the form of a giant centipede that lived and poisoned Lake […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
Click here to view image full size. Noji Tama River in Omi Province with a poem by Minamoto no Toshiyori from the series of six prints Shokoku Mutamagawa , “Six Jewel Rivers in the Provinces.” Shows a nobleman and attendants admiring the moon’s reflection. The set published by Maruya Kyushiro 11/1857. Very fine impression. Fine […]
Ryuryukyo SHINSAI (Active c 1799-1823)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing a scroll with a painting of a Takarabune ship and an enameled Persian clock (with Arabic numerals). Norizome, “Maiden Voyage [of the New Year].” The Takarabune, “Treasure Ship” is associated with the new year and carries the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichifukujin) with their treasures. Shinsai […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono, Hara, from an untitled Tokaido set, generally called the Surimono Tokaido. Published in 1804 for a kyoka club. There are 59 prints in the set; 8 being in this horizontal tanzaku format, the rest being koban size. This is the very rare first edition with the […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A design from Hyaku-nin isshu, “The Hundred Poets.” Shows the poet Yamabe no Akahito (fl. 724-736) with a page walking beside the bay of Tago, with Fuji beyond. He is noted as one of the Thirty-six Poetry Immortals. Published by Yebi-Ne, 1840-2. A set with some fine compositions. […]
Utagawa YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
Click here to view image full size. One of the Eight Dog Heroes, Satomi Yoshizane, seated surrounded by a dragon, thunderbolts and waves. From a set Dai Nippon goketsu Suikoden, “Great Japanese Heroes of the Popular Suikoden.” The set (?) published by Shimizuya Tsuejiro, c. 1843-5. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichieisai […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kambara, yoru no yuki, “Night Snow at Kambara” from Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi, “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road.” The set published by Hoeido (Takenouchi Magohachi)/Senkakudo, c. 1833-4. One of Hiroshige’s most celebrated designs, discussed and illustrated extensively. This is the very rare first edition: The sky […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Harima Maiko no hama, “Maiko Beach Harima Province” from Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces.” Shows the beach with the famous pine forest stretching down to the water. Published by Koshihei, 1853-6, this being 1853. Fine impression of the first edition. Slight fading, […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Shono, haku-u, “Sudden Shower at Shono” from Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi, “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road.” The set published by Hoeido (Takenouchi Magohachi)/Senkakudo, c. 1833-4. Together with Kambara, one of Hiroshige’s most celebrated designs, discussed and illustrated extensively. This is the very rare first edition: The […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Hakone, kosui, “Hakone, the Lake” from Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi, “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road.” The set published by Hoeido (Takenouchi Magohachi)/Senkakudo, c. 1833-4. A line of travellers – presumably the deputation of the Edo Shogunate going to Kyoto – making its way down a precipitous […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Station Karuizawa from Kisokaido rokujukyo tsugi no uchi, the “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kiso Kaido.” A night scene after the autumn harvest and the stubble is being burned. In the background the village and Mt Asama in the distance. A traveller stops to get his pipe lit by […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Oji, Fudo no taki, “Fudo Waterfall, Oji” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). Waterfalls were a pleasant way of getting relief from the summer heat. Japan has many hundreds of waterfalls […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Echizen Yunoo toge, “Yunoo Pass in Echizen Province” from a set of twenty prints Sankai mitate zumo, “Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Sea.” Ten prints showing mountain scenes and ten sea scenes (actually harbours). Published by Yamadaya Shojiro, 1858. The title is in a wrestling umpire’s fan. This […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Fukagawa, Suzaki, juman-tsubo, “The One Hundred Thousand Tsubo Plain, Suzaki, Fukagawa” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). An eagle hovers over the snowy coastal plain, Mt Tsukuba and the Chiba mountains […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. Uba Shizu of Nabeshima praying under a waterfall from a set Zen’aku sanuroku bijin, “Thirty-six Good and Evil Beauties.” The set published by Sawamuraya Seikichi, 1876. Very fine impression and colour with splashed gofun. Very good condition. Signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu. Status: Sold
Yashima GAKUTEI (active 1815-1852)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing a Chinese lady threading a needle on a balcony. First issued in Osaka for the Drum Group, c 1824. This is the excessively rare first edition with the blue sky and clouds; verses by two Osaka poets, and the coloured thread is connected to the […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print, Funa Benkei, “Benkei in a Boat.” Shows Yoshitsune’s boat fleeing from Kyoto and his brother Minamoto no Yorimoto. The boat encounters the ghosts of the slain Heike clan who rise from the waves. However, Benkei, by praying to the gods, is able to avert […]
Utagawa KUNISADA II (1823-1880)
Click here to view image full size. An original double-sided wood-block showing on one side the busts of three wrestlers with a title cartouche Ozumo tozai kurabe, “A Sumo Contest Between East and West.” On the other side is a sumi key-block for a set Kurikara kongo den, “Legends of the Dragon Sword and the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The Lumberyard, Fukagawa, from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo.” Shows snow falling on the timber yards lining a river. An umbrella in the foreground is inscribed Uo, “Fish” – a reference to the publisher Uoya Eikichi who published the set between 1856 […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. Otoyo no Kata from Zen-aku sanjuroku bijin, “Thirty-six Good and Evil Beauties.” The set published in 1876 by Morimoto Janzaburo. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu. Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Akasaka kiribatake uchu sekikei, “Evening View of the Paulownia Grove at Akasaka in the Rain.” The replacement print for the Meisho Edo hyakkei “The Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo” after 1858 probably because the blocks were damaged, and a superior design to Hiroshige’s. Published by Uoya […]