Posts by Richard Kruml:
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Choko and Cho-Un fighting on a hillside from a set Tsuzoku Sangokushi yeiyu no ichi-nin, “Heroes of the Popular History of the Three Kingdoms, One by One.” Published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1836.
Fine impression. Slight fading of red. Full size. Slight centre fold, otherwise good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Kaidomaru felling a tengu during practise with wooden swords from a set Honcho kendo ryaku den, “Abridged Stories of our Country’s Swordsmanship.” The series published by Kadzusa-ya Iwazo, c. 1845-6. Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An early triptych showing Shutendoji’s palace on Mount Oyeyama, Oyeyama Shotendoji shuzui no zu. Raiko (Minamoto no Yorimitsu) is charged by the Emperor Murakami with killing the evil Shutendoji who terrorizes the neighbourhood. He and his retainers infiltrate the castle and ply Shutendoji and his ogrish band with […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Nihonbashi yukibare, “The Nihon Bridge, Clear Weather after Snow.” From Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published between 1856 and 1858 (this being 1856) by Uoya Eikichi. The bridge was completed in 1603 and was originally called Edo Bridge. All points are measured […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Shomyoji-no bansho, “Vesper Bells at the Shomyoji Temple” from the rare early set Kanazawa hakkei, “Eight Views of Kanazawa.” The temple was built in 1258 by Hojo Sanetoki; the environs are seen on the right with boats in the foreground. The distant hills are printed without key-block outlines […]
Toyohara CHIKANOBU (1838-1912)
Click here to view image full size. Princess Toyotama, the daughter of the Dragon King of the sea, gives birth to Ugayafuki Aezu by turning herself into a dragon. From a set of 50 prints Azuma nishiki chuya kurabe, “Edo Embroidery Pictures.” The series published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro, 1886. Fine impression with extensive mica. […]
Toyohara CHIKANOBU (1838-1912)
Click here to view image full size. O’ai-no-kata of Okazaki dispatches a man who spied on her while taking a bath. From a set of 50 prints Azuma nishiki chuya kurabe, “Edo Embroidery Pictures.” The series published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro, 1886. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Yoshu Chikanobu hitsu. Status: […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Toki Motosada, the retainer of Gamo Sadahide, throwing a red temple guardian to the ground and vanquishing the ghosts on Mount Inohana. From the set Shinkei sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set published by Sasaki Toyokichi, 1889 – 1892 (this being 1890). This seems to be […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The battle of Fujikawa from a set of triptychs Toyotomi Shoshinroku published by Yorozumago, c 1869. The set relates Hideyoshi’s (1537-1598) exploits. From humble origins he became the second unifier of Japan who, after 100 years of war, brought stability and peace. Fine impression, colour and […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shoki appearing in the Chinese emperor Ming Huang’s dream and cleansing him of a fever demon. From the set Shinkei sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set published by Sasaki Toyokichi, 1889 – 1892 (this being 1890). Very fine first edition, fine colour and condition. […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The famous daimyo Oda Nobunaga throwing an assailant over a terrace while the Honnoji Temple burns behind him. Nobunaga’s branch of the Oda clan held control of central Japan but he was eventually killed by his treacherous vassal Akechi Mitsuhide at this temple in 1582. From a set […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Kiyohime changing into a serpent on the edge of the Hidaka River. The monk Anchin fell in love with Kiyohime only to change his mind. He escapes across the river followed by Kiyohime who becomes a serpent and traps him in the bell of the Dojo-ji Temple […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Abe no Hirafu (c. 575 – 674), a governor of Koshi Province, is famous for quelling the indigenous people of northern Japan – the Ainu. He is shown here killing a giant bear in the snow (of either northern Japan or Korea). From a set Dai Nippon meisho […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The famous wrestler Shirafuji Genta watching kappa (amphibious half humanoid, half turtle creatures). One of a set of 26 prints with title Wakan hyaku monogatari, “One Hundred Tales of China and Japan.” Published by Daikokuya Kinnosuke, 1865. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga. […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The famous swordsman Miyamoto Musashi cutting the arm off a tengu. He was taught the short sword technique from his father but then became expert with the long sword, eventually inventing the two-sword style, with the long sword in the right hand, the short in the left. One […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Lord Mashiba Tairyo Hisayoshi defying the thunderstorm on Mount Kobo conjured up by Kobo Daishi. A retribution for ignoring the vow of silence on the mountain. One of a set of 26 prints with title Wakan hyaku monogatari, “One Hundred Tales of China and Japan.” Published by Daikokuya […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Toki Daishiro, the retainer of Gamo Ujisato, vanquishing the demons in the temple on Mt. Inohana by grappling with the temple guardian. One of a set of 26 prints with title Wakan hyaku monogatari, “One Hundred Tales of China and Japan.” Published by Daikokuya Kinnosuke, 1865. This appears […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych from a set of three designs: Buyu setsugekka no uchi, “Snow, Moon and Flowers with Valiant Warriors,” this being “Flower”: Ikutamori ume, “Plum at Ikuta Forest.” The battle of Ichi-no-Tan took place in the forest between the Taira and Minamoto clans. Published by Kiya Sojiro, 2/1867. […]
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
Click here to view image full size. The young Kintaro, aka, Kintoki, Sakata Kaidomaru. He is shown fighting a giant carp in a waterfall from a series: Honcho musha kagami, Kintaro, “ Mirror of Warriors of Our Country, Kintaro.” This child of superhuman strength is often depicted with the animals living on Ashigara mountain where […]
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare print by this pupil of Kuniyoshi: Nobori ryu; kudari ryu, “Dragon going up [in the sky]; dragon going down [to the earth].” The most popular of Japanese subjects, printed in sumi and red. Published by Shimizuya Tsunejiro, 1849-50. This is the first time I have […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A bust portrait of Teranishi Kanshin holding a fan 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 Gosonoya of Ise. Robinson […]
Utagawa YOSHIHARU (1828-1888)
Click here to view image full size. The brigand Rori Hakucho Chojun from the set Suikoden goketsu kagami, “Mirror of the Heroes of the Suikoden.” A set mirrored on Kuniyoshi’s earlier Suikoden set. Shows him, with heavily tattooed torso and wielding a sword, defending himself against a dragon. Published by Yamaguchiya Tobei, 1856. Fine […]
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Zojo-ji asagiri, “Morning Mist at Zojo Temple” from Toto sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of the Eastern [ Edo ] Capital.” A couple watch a fish porter passing in the precincts of the Buddhist shrine . Situated in Shiba it was the Tokugawa family temple. The set published by Ai-To […]
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786?-1868)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono, Komatsu Shigemori, from the Heike Monogatari. One of a set with series title: Honchoren honcho nijushiko, “Twenty-four Japanese Paragons of Filial Piety for the Honcho Circle.” Issued by the Honchoren poetry club, c. 1821. Shows Taira no Kiyomori (1118-81) seated in an alcove being admonished by […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing a bust portrait of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Kanawa no Goro, a retainer of Kamatari no Fujiwara, disguised as the fisherman Fukashichi from the Mikasayama Goten scene at the palace on Mount Mikasa in Act 4 of Imoseyama onna teikino. Three poems by […]
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono, Ni, Yukiwake no Wakanaya uchi Koromode, “Number Two: The Snow Clothes of Koromode of the Wakanaya” from the pentaptych entitled Hisakataya Nakanocho, “The Nakanocho for the Hisakataya Poetry Club.” Issued c. 1827. Shows the oiran Koromode of the Wakanaya parading with her Shinzo and another courtesan […]
Katsushika TAITO II (Fl. c 1810-1850)
Click here to view image full size. One of the great surimono designs and extremely rare: There appear to be four other genuine examples recorded, apart from this impression, which is from the Vever collection. (See Vever sale, Sothebys, 1977, lot 302. In fact, Vever had two copies. The other sold Vever sale, Sothebys, 1978, […]
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing the poetess Kiyogaki standing on Mukaigaoka Hill overlooking a frozen Shinobazu Pond with the shrine of Benten. (And since the snake was the messenger of Benten, this print was probably issued for Snake Year 1833.) Two poems by Tojuen Kiyogaki and Yayoian. Fine impression […]
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono from a set Onkyoku zukushi, “An Array of Songs.” In the cartouche, top right, on the right, is Tokiwazu (a school of vocal music featuring the 3-stringed shamisen), and on the left the title of the musical piece illustrated here, which is Oimatsu, “Old Pine Tree,” […]
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing Li Kui (Jap: Ri Ki), one of the brigands from the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (the Suikoden). He was nicknamed the “Black Whirlwind” and is usually shown wielding two giant axes (as here). From a set Suiko Juban, “Ten […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Princess Chujo (Chujo-hime) from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.17. Abandoned by her stepmother, she is rescued by the nuns of Taima-dera, becomes a nun, and is […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Fujiwara no Yasumasa from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.11. A renowned poet and flautist, he escapes being attacked by the robber Hakamadare Yasusuke who is mesmerized […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The sculptor Hidari Jingoro from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.2. Although possibly fictitious, there are nevertheless many sculptures around Japan attributed to him. So accomplished was […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Shidzuka-gozen or Lady Shidzuka from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.12. She was a renowned 12th century shirabyoshi (court) dancer who achieved fame after 100 Buddhist monks […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Chinzei Hachiro Tametomo (aka Minamoto no Tametomo) from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.15. He was a renowned archer who was banished to Oshima in Izu and […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The poetess Kikaku from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.6. Shows the Tokugawa poetess sheltering beneath an umbrella in heavy rain in a boat floating under a […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The samurai Yamamoto Kansuke from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon (this design) or Enshuya Matabei 1845. Robinson S35.16. One of Takeda Shingen’s most trusted 24 Generals. He is shown fighting a wild boar in […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Miyamoto Musashi fencing with Tsukahara Bokuden from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon (this design) or Enshuya Matabei 1845. Robinson S35.8. Tsukahara Bokuden was a famous swordsman (1489-1571). He is shown here parrying Musashi’s wooden […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A complete diptych showing Inuyama Dosetsu Tadatomo with smoke curling around him and his hand on one of his swords facing Inugawa Sosuke Yoshito on one knee grasping his sword beside a wood fire from which the billowing smoke is emanating. Two of the heroes from Kyokutei Bakin’s […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Chinzei Hachiro Tametomo battling a large wild boar in the snowy mountains of Mashiki in the province of Higo, watched from above by Takama Harutsugu. A rare print from a rare unfinished (?) series Buyu hyaku den, “A Hundred Stories of Military Valour.” Published by Fujioka-ya Hikotaro, c. […]