Posts by Richard Kruml:
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Tadasugawara no yudachi, “Evening Shower on the bank of the Tadasu River” from the early set Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Views of Kyoto.” The set of ten masterpieces was published by Eisendo, c 1834. Shows figures running in the rain to get to the tea-houses which lined the banks here where the Kamo River and Takamo River joined.
Very good impression. The extremely rare first state of this print has the publisher’s seal in red in the upper left margin. This early state has the kiwame seal in left margin. This was removed on later editions and the seal after Hiroshige’s signature has the characters reversed white on red. Very good colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU (Fl. 1850-1870)
Click here to view image full size. The battle in snow at the Go-ju-no Pagoda on Mt. Yoshino. Sato Shirobyoe Tadanobu, a follower of Minamoto no Yoshitsune, swiches armour with Yoshitsune to do battle with the warrior monks led by Yokogawa Kakuhan. Published 1858 by Maruya Jinpachi. Extremely fine impression with extensive splashed and […]
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU (Fl. 1850-1870)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing the battle of Shijo Nawate at Yoshino, Nara. Shows Kusunoki Masatsura of the Southern army in the centre amidst a hail of arrows battling the Northern armies in 1348. He was killed in this fight at the age of 22. Published by Sanoya Tomigoro, 1862. […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych entitled Autumn Moon. A famous subject showing the aristocrat Fujiwara no Yasumasa playing his flute on a lonely moor and the bandit Hakamadare Yasusuke creeping up on him. So entranced was Hakamadare by the music that all he could do was to follow Yasumasa home. This […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Soshiko Raio (Chinese: Lei Heng) gripping the throat of Lady Hakushuyei and about to strike her. A design from the fine 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, […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The priest Mongaku Shonin doing thirty-seven days penance under the freezing Nachi waterfall near Kyoto. He is helped by Fudo Myo-o’s two attendants Seitaka and Kongara seen here top right. This act of self-mortification is because he accidentally killed his beloved cousin Kesa. Published by Uoya Eikichi, 1860. […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Yamauba and Kintoki from a set of thirteen prints Ikkai zuihitsu, “A Miscellany by Ikkai,” this being an early name of Yoshitoshi’s. A strange print in more ways than one: Not only is this his most “Westernized” design, but the impression is a puzzle. There is a thought […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare and unusual e-goyomi surimono for the year of the Horse, 1822, the long and short months running along the top of the theatre curtain. The surimono shows the Ichimura Theatre in Edo. The theatre curtain over the stage […]
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing three overlapping fans. The top fan shows the first sunrise of the new year behind a shachi on a castle roof. Usually called dolphins, they in fact had the head of a tiger and body of a carp. The second shows a court lady and […]
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono – one of a series that Gakutei designed in the curved shape of a folding fan. Shows a seated poet before Mt. Fuji holding a fan and dressed in courtly robes with a New Year pattern of pine trees and an eboshi cap. Two others from […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kai Otsuki no hara, “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. The set was started 5 months before Hiroshige’s death and early impressions were printed very carefully as a […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Ishiyama no shugetsu, “Autumn Moon at Ishiyama” from a set of prints Omi hakkei no uchi, “Eight Views in Omi Province.” Shows Lake Biwa with Seta Bridge and Mount Hira in the distance. To the left is the temple where Murasaki Shikibu wrote her famous Tales of Genji. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The year-end festival, Toshi-no-ichi, at Asakusa, Edo. This Buddhist temple was dedicated to bodhisattva Kannon. From the set Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853-1856 (this being 1853). Thousands gathered at this time of year to pray one last […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Wakasa, gyosen karei ami, catching flatfish in Wakasa Province. From the set Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853-1856 (this being 1853). This province was famous for its flatfish caught in the offshore waters and was considered a winter […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Bingo Abumon Kannondo. The temple of Kannon at Abumon, Bingo Province. From the set Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853-1856 (this being 1853). Fine, early impression. The earliest states have a cloud printed top left (as here). […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Mitake from Kisokaido rokujukyu-tsugi no uchi, “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was first published by Hoeido in 1835 with Eisen, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). The conjecture is that Hiroshige was the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Tarui from Kisokaido rokujukyu-tsugi no uchi, “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was first published by Hoeido in 1835 with Eisen, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). The conjecture is that Hiroshige was the […]
Okumura MASANOBU (1686 -1764)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing banners for the Boy’s Festival held on the fifth day of the fifth month. These depicted Shoki, the Demon Quellor. One Shoki has come alive and leaps down from the banner to attack an oni – his traditional foe. At the top left on a […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Shiba Akabane no yuki, “Snow falling at Akabane in Shiba.” From a Toto meisho “Famous Sights of the Eastern Capital” set published by Kikakudo (Sanoki), the seal in red in right margin, c. 1832-35. There is confusion over how many prints belong to this series: The original set […]
Katsukawa SHUNTEI (1770-1820)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono, number two, from a set of three entitled Buyu sanban tsuzuki, “Three Examples of Martial Bravery.” Shows Minamoto no Tametomo (1139-1170). A famed archer and of huge stature, he is shown here with his bow and arrows being offered a coral tree from a representative of […]
Utagawa SADAKAGE (Act. c 1818-1844)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing a courtesan and her acolyte playing a Hyakunin Isshu version of uta-garuta, a card game where a hundred poets are matched to a hundred poems. Karasaki: Night rain on a festival day from a set of surimono Kuruwa hakkei, “Eight Views in the Licensed District […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A poem by Abe no Nakamaro from the unfinished set Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki, “Hundred Poems Explained by the Wet Nurse.” Twenty seven prints known with extant drawings for another sixty two. Published in 1835 by Nishimuraya Yohachi (who issued five) who then sold the blocks to […]
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono with title Kiyomihara no Oji, “The Kiyomihara Prince” from a set based on the Uji Shui Monogatari, “Tales Gleaned from the Uji Councillor,” this being Minamoto no Takakuni (1004-77). This episode from chapter 15 relates how the succession to the Emperor Tenji, who had died, is […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A snow scene showing the dramatic landscape around Mount Haruna: Kozuke, Haruna-san setchu, “Snow on Mount Haruna in Kozuke Province.” Shows the volcanic mount – one of three major mountains in the province – with Haruna Temple in the centre. The building housed a statue of a thousand-armed […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Ishiyama shugetsu, “Autumn Moon over Ishiyama Temple” from the vertical Omi hakkei no uchi, “Eight Views of Omi” set published by Takeuchi Magohachi and Yamamotoya Heikichi in 1857. Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold […]
Utagawa KUNISADA II (1823-1880)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Segawa Kikunojo V in the role of Ama Myochin, the Cat Witch, from the set Hakkenden inu no soshi no uchi, the Eight Dog Heroes, published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 5/1852. The play was premiered at the Ichimuraza Theatre, 1/1852. This is the highlight of the play: […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Shinshu Suwa-ko yatsume akauo wo to (ru). Shinshu (Shinano) Province from the “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859 – 1861 (this being 1860). A winter scene showing figures catching lampreys, eels and red rockfish […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Saimyoji Tokiyori Nyudo in the snow from a set of 51 prints Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “A Mirror of Famous Commanders of Great Japan.” The set was published by Ebisuya Shoshichi (the first 11 prints) and Funazu Chujiro between 1878-1882. Tokiyori became Regent (Shikken) in 1246. In 1256 […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The serpent Tamichi attacking his enemies from a set of 51 prints Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “A Mirror of Famous Commanders of Great Japan.” The set was published by Ebisuya Shoshichi (the first 11 prints) and Funazu Chujiro between 1878-1882. Like Abe no Hirafu, Tamichi was involved in […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Kashu Kanazawa Daijo-ji. Kashu (Kaga) Province from the “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859 – 1861 (this being 1859). Shows the famous Zen temple. The mountains behind shrouded in mist, beautifully conveyed by expert […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. I no Hayata Hironao killing the nue from a set Honcho Suikoden goyu happyakunin no hitori, “One of the Eight Hundred Heroes of the Water Margin of Japan.” In the year 1154 the Emperor Konoe was having trouble sleeping due to weird shrieks and scratchings coming from the […]
Toyohara CHIKANOBU (1838-1912)
Click here to view image full size. A fine triptych showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX (1838-1903) as the priest Mongaku Shonin. The priest is shown, with Buddhist bell in hand, beneath the freezing waters of the Nachi Waterfall doing penance for inadvertently killing his cousin and lover, Kesa Gozen. Eventually the deity Fudo Myo-o […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Wada Heita Tanenaga (1182-1213) battling a giant python (uwabami) near a waterfall.He was a renowned archer and retainer of Minamoto no Yoriie. Various stories tell how he came across the python in a cave or saved a village from its carnivorous attacks. A popular subject that gave rise […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing Taira no Koremochi discovering that a princess is, in reality, a demon. Taira Koremochi Togakushiyama kijo taiji no zu. The story relates how, while maple viewing on Mt. Togakushi in Shinano, Taira no Koremochi comes across a princess and her attendants. He joins them […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych from a set of ten: Dai Nippon shiryaku zue, “Short Illustrated History of Great Japan.” Each print is in the form of an unrolled makimono. This design shows the third son of the twelfth century Emperor Keiko, Yamato Takeru no mikoto (Wo-usu). His father was constantly […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych from a set of ten: Dai Nippon shiryaku zue, “Short Illustrated History of Great Japan.” Each print is in the form of an unrolled makimono. This design shows the twenty-first Emperor Yuryaku-Tenno (457-479) out following his favourite diversion – hunting. The story relates how during 461 […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych from a set of ten: Dai Nippon shiryaku zue, “Short Illustrated History of Great Japan.” Each print is in the form of an unrolled makimono. This design shows the attempted execution of Nichiren during the reign of the ninetieth Emperor Kameyama (1249-1305). Details vary but essentially […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych from a set of ten: Dai Nippon shiryaku zue, “Short Illustrated History of Great Japan.” Each print is in the form of an unrolled makimono. This design shows the great battle of Dannoura in the Shimonoseki Strait off the southern tip of Honshu on April 25th, […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych from a set Buyu setsugekka, “Heroes for the Snow, Moon and Flowers,” this being Gojo no tsuki, “Moon Over Gojo [Bridge].” Published by Isaya Kanekichi c 1867. A popular subject for artists it tells of the battle between the young Yoshitsune and the warrior monk Benkei […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych of the night attack on Yoshitsune’s palace on the Hirikawa, Kyoto -hence called the Horikawa Palace – by the troops of Yoshitsune’s brother (Yoritomo) led by Tosaba Shoshun in 1185. Horikawa yo-uchi no zue. Yoshitsune is seen on the raised wooden platform with Benkei. Below is […]