Posts by Richard Kruml:
Torii KIYOMITSU (1735-1785)
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Shows the standing figure of the kabuki actor Ichimura Kamezo I as Wankyu in the play Furiwakamura suehiro Genji which according to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, which has another impression (no.21.8149), was staged at the Ichimura theatre, 11th month, 1760. But I have been unable to verify this. Certainly the date fits as Kamezo became Ichimura Uzayemon IX in 1762. Benizuri-e and a pale blue-grey. Published by Igaya Kan’emon.
Very good impression and colour. Very slight surface soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Torii Kiyomitsu ga.
Status: Sold
Torii KIYONAGA (1752-1815)
Click here to view image full size. A fine actor design from a series of at least 31 such degatari prints (showing singing or chanting at a theatre). A scene from Shosa Hatsuhige yakko tanzen, played at the Ichimura-za theatre November 1783. Shows Nakamura Nakazo as Tanzen seated with a fan looking at Onoe Matsusuke […]
Ippitsusai BUNCHO (1763-1840)
Click here to view image full size. Ichikawa Danjuro V probably as Watanabe Kiou Takiguchi in the play Nue no mori ichiyou no matsu performed at the Nakamura-za in the 11th month of 1770. It was in this month that Koshiro III took the name of Danjuro V. Shows Danjuro in the iconic costume of […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
# A rare 6-sheet design: Odori keiyo gakuya no zu, Odori keiyo nikai-iri no zu, “View of the Backstage and Dressing Rooms, Backstage at a Newly Opened Theatre.” The 1855 earthquake and resulting fire destroyed the Edo theatre district. Only five months later the first theatre – the Ichimura Theatre – was reopened. This print, […]
MANGETSUDO (Active 1743-1747)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing a youth impersonated by Onoe Kikugoro I standing outside the Yoshiwara. Above is a cartouche showing a gosho-guruma (a mid-17th century Imperial cart) and above the cartouche the word Kayoi: An allusion to the story of Shosho visiting Komachi. This is the right sheet of […]
Katsukawa SHUNKO (1743-1812)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing the actor Ichikawa Danzo IV in the role of Tsuribune Sabu in the play Natsu matsuri kagami performed at the Morita-za Theatre, 7/1779. Fine impression, colour and condition. Exceptional state of preservation. Signed Katsukawa Shunko ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHITORA (Active c. 1850-1880)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Bando Mitsuguro V as Yushide, a daughter of Shindo Saemon from the play Karukaya doshin tsukushi no iezuto. From an untitled set of prints designed in conjunction with Kunisada. It was intended to represent the culmination of Kunisada’s career using only the finest materials, engravers and […]
Torii KIYOMITSU (1735-1785)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Segawa Kikunojo II as the Tennin (a devine being that is able to fly by means of a feathered kimono) from the play Hagoromo, “The Feathered Mantle.” She stands on Miho Beach, the feathered kimono caught in the tree behind her. The story relates how fishermen […]
Utagawa YOSHIIKU (1833-1904)
Click here to view image full size. An Ichikawa Danjuro memorial portrait showing Kawarazaki Gonjuro I (Danjuro IX, 1838-1903) in the Shibaraku role looking up at his father, Danjuro babaa (Ichikawa Danjuro VII [1791-1859]) who had died the previous year. It was some years before Gonjuro finally adopted the Danjuro name in 1874. Published by […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Sawamura Sojuro III in the role of Lord Ashikaga Yorikane on board the pleasure boat Takaomaru from the play Kimigatede Yoshiwara sodachi performed at the Miyako-za Theatre, 7/1795. This is the right-hand sheet of a famous diptych. The left sheet (showing Segawa Kikunojo III as the […]
Attributed to Toyoharu KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. An oban diptych shini-e (memorial portrait) of the famous kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII (1791-1859). Upper right is the date of his burial, Ansei 6 (1859), 3rd month, 24th day. A long inscription at left on his life. The image top right shows his great-great-great grandfather, the first […]
Attributed to SEIKOKU (Active c. 1794-1818)
Click here to view image full size. A kapazuri-e (stencil print) hosoban showing the actor Kataoka Nizaemon VII (1755-1837) as Togoro. A striking design and probably unique. There are similar prints signed by Chorakusai (Seikoku) and the publisher Suharaya Tosuke was active c. 1812-1829 and is known to have published prints by Seikoku. Published c. […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. A hosoban showing the actor Iwai Kiyotaro II as Arakawa Taro and standing above him in an onnagata role Osagawa Tsuneyo II as the lady Koromode Gozen in the play Toki ni oshu Tsubo no ishibuni performed at the Ichimura-za Thatre in the 11th month 1802. At the […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1768-1825)
Click here to view image full size. An actor print showing Ogino Isaburo II as the bandit Kaido Saburo standing with axe, and Matsumoto Koshiro V as Taira no Masakado in the play Otoko narikeri onna Masakado, “What Men ? A Female Masakado” performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 11/1801. Published by Izumiya Ichibei. […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Sawamura Tossho II as Sasaki Gennosuke from the play Hana ayame katami ezoshi. From the last great actor set which was planned as a monument to his career and used only the most expensive materials. An untitled set (but known as Konjaku kabuki meiyo, “Actors Portraits […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A bust portrait of the actor Bando Hikosaburo V as Samezaya Shiroza compared to Lin Chong (from the famed Chinese novel Shui Hu Zhuan, “Outlaws of the Marsh”) retold by Takizawa Bakin (1767-1848) in his novel “The Water Margin: New Illustrated Edition” published in 1805. There are three […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A diptych showing the actor Otani Tomoemon V as the firefighter Kurikara Denji in the play Fuji to mimasu suehiro soga performed at the Morita-za Theatre, 2/1866. Interestingly, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston has the original playbill, acc. no. 11.28195. Firemen were usually heavily tattooed demonstrating their […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Sawamura Tossho II in the Okazaki no ba, “Okazaki Scene” from Okazaki no neko, “The Cat of Okazaki.” This episode from the famous play takes place in an old temple at Okazaki on the Tokaido. An old cat witch haunts the temple attacking young women. Published […]
Utagawa KUNISADA II (1823-1880)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing the actors Nakamura Shikan IV as Sakata Kintoki and Onoe Baiko V as Usui Sadamitsu – both henchmen of Watanabe no Tsuna (Raiko) – on the right; Sawamura Tanosuke III as the courtesan Usugumo (actually the spirit of a spider), centre, and Nakamura Chutaro as […]
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
Click here to view image full size. An hosoban showing the actor Iwai Hanshiro IV in an unidentified female role holding a letter beside a palanquin. What appears to be another version by Shunsho is in the Met, acc. number JP2783. Published c 1773. Fine impression. Extremely good colour. Very good condition. Signed Shunsho […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII as the half-Chinese, half-Japanese hero Watonai in a production of the play Kokusen’ya kassen staged at the Nakamura-za Theatre, 8/1816. Shows a popular scene from the play where Watonai overcomes a man-eating tiger in China by using a charm from the Ise Shrine. […]
Shunkosai HOKUSHU (Fl. c 1808-1832)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Nakamura Utaemon III as Kan Shojo in the play Sugawara denju tenarai kagami, “Mirror of Learning and Transmitting Sugawara’s Secrets of Calligraphy.” In fact based on stories relating to Sugawara Michizane (845 – 903, scholar, poet and politician). Government regulations prohibited the use of the names […]
Torii KIYOTOMI (FL. c 1720 -1740)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Ogino Isaburo I looking down on the onnagata actor Fujimura Handayu II. An inscription above Ogino Isaburo states: Kyo Shijo kudari, “Coming from Shijo (Fourth Street) from the Capital.” Indicating the actor was on tour in Edo. Kyoto was considered the capital at that time and […]
Torii KIYOMASU II (Fl. c 1720s -1760)
Click here to view image full size. An exceptional Primitive showing the onnagata actor Yamashita Kinsaku I looking down at the actor Sawamura Sojuro I who is holding a kettle and teacup. Published by Sagami-ya Yohei c late 1720s. Very good impression. Urushi beni-e with hand-applied colour: Tan, yellow, light and dark beni and green. […]
KATSUKAWA SCHOOL
Click here to view image full size. The actor Iwai Hanshiro IV probably in a new year Soga play. Unidentified publisher, published c late 1780s. Fine impression. Exceptional colour. Fine condition. Status: Sold
Torii KIYOMASU II (Fl. c 1720s -1760)
Click here to view image full size. Shows a high-class courtesan emerging from a tea-house with slashed curtains. Possibly one sheet of a triptych. Published by Igaya Kan’emon (Bunkido) c mid 1720s. Very good impression. Urushi beni-e with hand-applied colour: tan, light beni, light green and yellow. Lacquered sumi and gold powder (mostly lost). Light […]
Torii KIYOMASU II (Fl. c 1720s -1760)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the actor Sodesaki Miwano I as a proprietress of a house of assignation (kasha). He holds a puppet of the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke I dressed as a fashionable young man visiting the pleasure quarter holding a sedge hat to hide his face. Published by Igaya Kan’emon (Bunkido) […]
Tamura SADANOBU (Fl. c 1720s-1730s)
Click here to view image full size. The An artist who seems to have specialised in triptychs. Shows the actor Ichikawa Monnosuke I shielding his head with a large sedge hat (kasa). The middle sheet (naka) of a triptych with title: Hana shobu irotagai sannpukutsui, “A Triptych of Irises in Alternating Colours.”(Possibly following the colours […]
Torii KIYOMASU II (Fl. c 1720s -1760)
Click here to view image full size. The onnagata actor Ichimura Takenojo IV standing and combing the hair of a fashionable young man played by Sanjo Kantaro II. Above, left, is the title printed in gold: Kamisuke, “Hair-combing.” These romantic scenes show the tenderness and love between a man and a woman. There is another […]
Okumura TOSHINOBU (Fl. c 1717-1750)
Click here to view image full size. Shows a beauty whisking tea in front of an alcove. Published by Emiya Kichiemon c late 1720s. Very good impression. Urushi with hand-applied tan colour. Lacquered sumi over an embossed pattern. Browned and some thinned areas, otherwise good condition. Signed Yamato gashi Okumura Toshinobu hitsu. Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Snow from the set Setsugekka no uchi, “Snow, Moon and Flowers” published by Akiyama Buemon, 1890. Shows half-length portraits of famous actors, in this case Onoe Baiko V ( Onoe Kikugoro V, 1844-1903 ) as the priest Iwakura Sogen. Various versions of the story and play exist concerning […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A preparatory drawing sold together with the published print showing the actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Oboshi Yuranosuke from the play Kanadehon Chushingura. [Yakusha mitate] Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi: Nihonbashi Shinagawa no aide, Takanawa, Yuranosuke, “Actors at the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido: Takanawa between Nihonbashi and […]
Katsushika HOKUGA (Fl. c 1820s to 1830)
Click here to view image full size. A fine original painting showing a beauty on the snow-covered dock used by boats to the Yoshiwara. Hokuga was a pupil of Hokusai and produced paintings and surimono. Full colour on silk, 37.5 x 11.25 in; 92.75 x 28.5 cms. Two repaired wormholes, otherwise very good condition. Box […]
Gessai GABIMARU (Fl. c 1810)
Click here to view image full size. A beautiful painting of a parading courtesan. A follower of Chobunsai Eishi in the Bunka period. There are works by him signed Chobunsai, so he may have been related to Eishi. Full colour on silk, 29.5 x 5.75 in; 75 x 14.5 cms. Painting in good condition. Mount […]
Shiokawa BUNRIN et al
Click here to view image full size. A fine Kyoto gassaku painting. ( A collaborative work by a group of friends. ) Shows a lobster by Shiokawa Bunrin ( 1808-1877 ), a pupil of Toyohiko; clams by Hasegawa Gyokuho ( 1822-1879 ) a pupil of Keibun; a sea bream by Yokoyama Seiki ( 1792-1864 ) […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Ogata Shuma Hiroyuki ( later Jiraiya ) from Honcho Suikoden goyu happyaku-nin no hitori, “Eight Hundred Heroes of our Country’s Suikoden, One by One.” Shows the brigand with a heavy o-zutsu, hand cannon, bearing down on an enormous snake which had been preying on his friends the toads. […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Segawa Roko III as the Lady Onoe in the play Yanoji Musubi hana no gyoretsu, performed at the Nakamura-za Theatre, 4/1806. Very good impression and colour. Minor creasing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga. Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A diptych showing the actor Otani Tomoemon V as the loyal servant Gakuzo (aka Inukawa Sosuke Yoshito, one of the eight Dog half-brothers), brush in hand, having just hung the decapitated head of the evil Aboshi on a tree and written beside it: Kore ha akuto Aboshi Samojiro […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Three New Year drummers; two with lion (shishi) masks. Sumi and colour on paper, lightly laid onto card. 24.2 x 36.2 cms; 9.5 x 14.25 inches. In good condition. Unsigned but from a group, one of which bore full signature. Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An original drawing showing a village scene with a man bending to speak with a woman in a kago. Most likely a design for one sheet of a triptych. Sumi on thin paper. 14 x 9.5 in., 35.5 x 24.5 cms. Status: Sold