Posts by Richard Kruml:
New Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A triptych , Shinyo rokkaisen, “Six New Monsters” showing Taira no Kiyomori (1118-1181) and his lover on the engawa of the palace confronted by a multitude of snow covered skulls and skeletons in the garden. Towards the end of his life, Kiyomori, the head of the Taira Clan, was obsessed with and hallucinated that his vanquished enemies – on his quest for power and authority – had come back for retribution. Published by Funazu, 1882.
Very fine impression. Fine colour. Sheets attached, otherwise fine condition. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych Fuji no sono Soga kyodai hommo o togeru zu. “Moor at the Foot of Mt. Fuji: Picture of the Soga Brothers Achieving their Avowed Wish.” Soga no Goro Tokimune and Soga no Juro Sukenari avenging the death of their father by killing Kudo Suketsune at his […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing the great wrestling match between Matano Goro Kagehisa and Kawazu Saburo Sukeyasu. The match was refereed by Ebina Gempachi and occurred during a hunting expedition organised by the general Minamoto no Yoritomo in 1176 near Mt. Akazawa. Kawazu was the eventual victor after a rematch, […]
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU (Active 1850-1870)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Miinamoto no Yorimitsu (aka Raiko) and his retainers confronting the giant Earth Spider (Tsuchigumo – a form of spider-like yokai). After a fierce battle Yorimitsu cuts off the head of the spider and 1990 dead victims emerge from its stomach. A popular subject and there […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Shutendoji’s palace on Mount Oyeyama, Oyeyama fukujin shusei. 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 sake and dance […]
Utagawa YOSHITORA (Active c 1850-1880)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Sato Masakiyo, having invaded Shikoku and overthrowing the castle of Shosokabe Motochika, entering deep into the mountains where he battles an army of huge toads, lizards, bats, spiders, cats and dogs. Sato Masakiyo Shikoku seibatsu no toki Shosokabe Motochika no honjo o semeotosu ori kara […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. Kan Zhang Liang (below) and Huang Shigong from the set Kan-So gundan, “Battle Tales of the Han and Chu.” The success of the Chinese warrior tales retold by Takizawa Bakin (1767-1848) in his novel “The Water Margin: New Illustrated Edition” published in 1805 resulted in the commissioning of […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Abe no Hirafu fighting a giant bear 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. Hirafu was a general […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Yatsunada attacking Saohime’s brother’s castle 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. Saohime had conspired with her elder brother Saohikoto to […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The heavily tattooed bandit Tanmeijiro Genshogo grappling with an adversary under water. One of the great designs from Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyakuhachi-nin no hitori, “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One.” Genshogo was famous for his tattoos and for the ability to stay […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. The Sennin Kinko (Chin. Ch’in Kao) riding a giant carp from the set Ressen gachu. There are various versions of this story. One narrates how Kinko was bathing in the river one day when the king of the fishes invites him to his kingdom. He tells his pupils […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The brigand Saginoike Heikuro Masatora plunging a short sword into a giant boar. He is usually depicted battling a giant snake. Published c 1834-5 by Sanoya Kihei. Republished by Uedaya Kyujiro. Robinson S1c.17. Very good impression and colour. The title label at extreme left edge trimmed and slight […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1812-1866)
Click here to view image full size. A diptych showing the strong woman Oiko of Takashima. The story tells how the wrestler Saeki Urinaga spies her one day fetching water from the river. He lecherously reaches for her only to have his arm pinned down by her as she nonchalantly carries on walking. She leads […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1812-1866)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Ichikawa Kodanji IV as Torii Matasuke clenching a sword between his teeth in pouring rain. From the play Kagamiyama gonichi no Iwafuji performed at the Ichimura Theatre, 3/1860. The plot centres around Lord Taga who is disloyal to his wife Lady Ume with Oryu. One of […]
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU (Fl. 1848-1870)
Click here to view image full size. Daimotsu no ura nanpu no zu, “Adverse Wind on Daimotsu Bay.” The ghosts of the Taira warriors attacking Yoshitsune’s ship in Daimotsu Bay. Minamoto no Yoshitsune (1159-1189) aboard his ship Tsukimaru sailing along the coast of Settsu Province at Daimotsu. It was here that the Minamoto and Taira […]
Utagawa SADAFUSA (Active 1830s – 1840s)
Click here to view image full size. An original sumi woodblock for two chuban prints from a Kanadehon Chushingura set. The upper design being Act VII, the tea-house Ichiriki, Kyoto with Yuranosuke; the lower showing Act VIII, the bridal journey with Konami and her daughter Tonase on the Tokaido Road. Sold “as is” with all […]
Utagawa KUNIMARO (Active 1850-1875)
Click here to view image full size. An oban showing Jiraiya (Ogata Shuma Hiroyuki), a ninja who was able to transmogrify himself into a giant toad. His arch enemy was Orochimaru, a master of serpent magic, who is seen here as a giant snake. Jiraiya kills the snake with his heavy o-zutsu, hand cannon. Based […]
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU (Active c 1849-1867)
Click here to view image full size. Kato Kiyomasa (aka Masakiyo, 1562-1611) hunting man-eating tigers with his cohorts in Korea. Masakiyo ko toragari no zu. Kiyomasa had two expeditions to Korea in 1592 and 1597. Published by Hiranoya Shinzo, 1861. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichikawa Yoshikazu ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHIIKU (1833-1904)
Click here to view image full size. Torii Matasuke swimming underwater from a set of 28 prints Eimei nijuhasshuku, “Twenty-eight Murders with Verses.” The set was published jointly with Yoshitoshi, each contributing 14 prints. Matasuke is seen gripping the topknot of the severed head of his lord whom he has mistakenly murdered. Published by Kinseido […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The best design from the set Tsuki hyakushi, the “Hundred Phases of the Moon.” The set published between 1885 and 1892 (this being 1886) by Akiyama Buemon. Benkei against a full moon. In 1185 Yoshitsune, attacked by his half-brother Minamoto no Yoritomo, was forced to flee to northern […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The Monkey King: One of the best designs from the set Tsuki hyakushi, the “Hundred Phases of the Moon.” The set published between 1885 and 1892 (this being 1886) by Akiyama Buemon. Based on the Chinese fable, the Monkey King achieved immortality by stealing peaches from the Garden […]
Utagawa YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Minamoto no Yorimitsu (aka Raiko, 948-1021) trying to capture the notorious thief Hakamadare Yasusuke. Kijutsu Hakamadare o karamen to su. Yorimitsu is seen with his cohorts Urabe Suetake, Hirai Yasumasa, and Watanabe Tsuna. On the right Hakamadare attempts to evade capture by magically conjuring up […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A diptych showing Musashi-bo Benkei, renowned for his herculean strength, battling with the young Onzoshi Ushiwaka Maru (Yoshitsune) on Gojo Bridge. The story relates how Benkei (1155-1189) wandered around Kyoto with the intention of relieving 1000 samurai of their swords. One night with one more sword to go […]
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (Active mid 19th century)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych with title: Ryozoku shinzan yojutsu kurabe no zu, “A Picture of the Two Enemies in a Witchcraft Match in the Deep Mountain.” Shows Hakamadare Yasusuke and Kidomaru fighting with magic. Yoshitoshi designed a vertical diptych of the same subject in 1887. Published 1860 by Tsutaya Kichizo. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The general Morozumi Masakiyo, Lord of Bungo and a retainer of the Takeda Clan (Shingen of Kai Province) in a battle with the Uesugi Clan (Kenshin of Echigo Province), the wars taking place between 1553 and 1563. From a set Koetsu yusho den, “Stories of Courageous Generals of […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The warrior Jingu Samanosuke Masanaga holding a sword and wearing a mino (straw cape) in heavy rain. From a set Kaidai hyaku, “Yoshitoshi’s Selection of One Hundred Warriors.” Sixty-five prints published by Ohashiya Yashichi between 1868 and 1869, this being 1869. The text in the square cartouches in […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shigetsugu Munakata Kamon warming his hands in a snowstorm: Large flakes float down. From a set Kaidai hyaku, “Yoshitoshi’s Selection of One Hundred Warriors.” Sixty-five prints published by Ohashiya Yashichi between 1868 and 1869, this being 1869. The text in the square cartouches in this set refer to […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The samurai Shigeno Yozaemon looking up at an exploding houroku-hiya “hand grenade.” (As with so much in Japan, the grenade originated in China from early times.) From a set Kaidai hyaku, “Yoshitoshi’s Selection of One Hundred Warriors.” Sixty-five prints published by Ohashiya Yashichi between 1868 and 1869, this […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Musashibo Benkei carrying the stolen giant Mii Temple bell up Mount Hiei to the Enryaku-ji, the Tendai-sect temple of the San-mon, “Mountain Order.” He is usually depicted dragging the half-ton bell, but here he is shown carrying it with the help of his kanabo, iron war club. […]
Katsukawa SHUN’EI (1762-1819)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the hirsute samurai Saito Tadanobu about to strike an adversary with a go board. This was a popular story relating to his death: He was attacked while playing go and used the heavy board to fight off his enemies. Published by Wakasaya Yoichi (Jakurindo), c 1810. Rare. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The best design from Genji kumo Ukiyoe awase, “Ukiyoe Comparisons of the Cloudy Chapters of Genji.” A set comparing famous warriors to the Chapters of the Genji Monogotari written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu (c 973-1025). This design is for Chapter 22, Tamakatzura. Shows the pearl diver, Tamatori-hime, who […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A design from the set Azuma no nishiki ukiyo kodan, “Tales of the Floating World on Eastern Brocade.” Kodan (traditional storytelling) raconteurs narrated Japanese folk stories, sometimes accompanying themselves with wooden blocks clapped together or a fan giving rhythm. The Kodan text is shown above. Having been popular […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the professional swordsman Kaibara Kenkichi travelling in the mountains from a set Kyosai rakuga, “Kyosai’s Drawings for Pleasure.” A satirical take on current events and mores. Generally considered the father of kendo. At the age of 13 he came under the tutelage of Seiichiro Odani to learn […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A design from the set Azuma no nishiki ukiyo kodan, “Tales of the Floating World on Eastern Brocade.” Kodan (traditional storytelling) raconteurs narrated Japanese folk stories, sometimes accompanying themselves with wooden blocks clapped together or a fan giving rhythm. The Kodan text is shown above. Having been popular […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A design from the set Azuma no nishiki ukiyo kodan, “Tales of the Floating World on Eastern Brocade.” Kodan (traditional storytelling) raconteurs narrated Japanese folk stories, sometimes accompanying themselves with wooden blocks clapped together or a fan giving rhythm. The Kodan text is shown above. Having been popular […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A design from the set Azuma no nishiki ukiyo kodan, “Tales of the Floating World on Eastern Brocade.” Kodan (traditional storytelling) raconteurs narrated Japanese folk stories, sometimes accompanying themselves with wooden blocks clapped together or a fan giving rhythm. The Kodan text is shown above. Having been popular […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Abe no Hirafu, a governor of Koshi, killing a giant bear in heavy snow. From a set: Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “Mirror of Famous Leaders of Great Japan.” Published by Funazu Chujiro, 1880. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi hitsu. Status: […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare uncut fan print: Spring Moon from a set Three Views of the Moon in the Eastern Capital. Shows two beauties on a restaurant veranda admiring a full moon. The other two designs from this set are illustrated in Hiroshige no uchiwae, Hiroshige Fan Prints, Okuda, […]
Ogata GEKKO (1859-1920)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing a great white egret. Rare. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Gekko. Status: Sold
Honda UNRIN (Active c. late Edo period)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono of a male and female red-crowned crane (aka Manchurian crane). Behind a huge setting sun. The crane represents good fortune, longevity and fidelity in Japan and is a popular subject for surimono. Unrin, a Nanga/Shijo artist, was a pupil of Tetsuo (1791-1871). Issued c. 1840s. […]