Posts by Richard Kruml:
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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The Aoigaoka [waterfall] in Edo: Toto Aoigaoka no taki from a set of eight prints with title, Shokoku taki meguri, “A Journey to the Waterfalls of All the Provinces.” A majestic set with a mostly beautiful unifying colour scheme: There is probably no other Hokusai set that has the same impact when viewed complete. Amongst Hokusai’s finest work and much sought after. There are numerous Hiroshige designs based on the same location but they are prosaic in comparison. Eisen, inspired by Hokusai, also produced a set of waterfalls in 1847 which are themselves fine and rare. This particular fall is in fact a spillway for the Tameike reservoir seen above. Aoi Hill near Toranomon Gate to the left. The set published by Eijudo, c. 1832. Rare.
Fine impression. Fine, unfaded colour. Minimal soil and slight trimming on left: These designs are martyrs to trimming and many illustrated examples are trimmed, otherwise very good condition. (This raises an interesting problem because most Hokusai landscapes do not have a black border – contrary to Hiroshige’s – which do, making it easy to judge the trimming on the latter.) Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu.
Status: Sold
Suzuki SHONEN (1849-1918)
Click here to view image full size. A large painting for the year of the Dragon 1880 ( Meiji 13 ). Suzuki Shonen was a major Kyoto-based Nihonga artist of the late Meiji period. The son of Suzuki Hyakunen, the founder of the Suzuki school of painting, whom he succeeded. He seems to have been […]
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
Click here to view image full size. A newly discovered painting by one of the most influential artist in Ukiyo-e. His long life covered hand-coloured prints through to full colour printing in the mid 1760s and he was one of the first to use the block-printing process after 1740 and pioneer the benizuri-e picture. Extremely […]
Kubo SHUMMAN (1757-1820)
Click here to view image full size. A fine painting showing a seated girl fulling cloth ( a process of beating which eliminated the dirt and other impurities ) with another standing beauty holding beaten cloth in a wooden tray on her head. This scene represents Mishima, or Toi, Province of Settsu. One of the […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing koi, “carp” swimming beneath hanging wisteria. One of Yoshitoshi’s finest and most popular designs. Published by Akiyama Buemon, 5/1889. See Beauty and Violence, Society for Japanese Arts, 1992, no. 66, p. 144 for another impression plus the original drawing by Yoshitoshi ( from the British […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The ronin Nakamura Kansuke Masatatsu dodging a brazier of hot ash. The best design from a fine set of twelve half length portraits of the forty-seven ronin: Seicho gishi shozo, “Portraits of Faithful Samurai of True Loyalty.” The depictions borrow strongly from western portraiture including imitation western script […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The ghost of Genta Yoshihira, having been executed by Taira no Kiyomori, springs into the air causing a thunderstorm and exacting revenge. The best design from Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts.” Published 1889 by Sasaki. Very fine impression, colour and condition. The first edition. Signed Yoshitoshi. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Koman, the widowed daughter of a Lake Biwa farmer, swimming with the white banner of the Genji in her teeth towards the Taira barge of Munemori. On being picked up and finding where she was she jumped overboard but not before Sanemori cut her arm […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Raiko attacking the Shuten-doji. A well know myth covered by numerous artists of all periods. Shuten-doji, “Great Drunken Boy” had great strength and atrocious habits, plundering the countryside around his stronghold on Oyeyama, “Devil’s Mountain.” The Emperor Murakami, losing patience, ordered Raiko to put an […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Saito Oniwakamaru, “Young Devil Child” ( Benkei ) fighting the giant carp in the waterfall of Bishamon ga taki. The best design from a fine set: Ikkai zuihitsu, “Essays by Yoshitoshi.” A set of 13 prints published by Masadaya in 1872. There are numerous variations in seals in […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Koi, carp ( Cyprinus carpio ), swimming amongst reeds. Poem by Makuzu. From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Cicle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. These […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono showing a bamboo-ware maker. One of the characters from Taketori monogatari, “Tale of the Shining Princess.” He is shown sawing through a large bamboo stem surrounded by his tools. Behind him an uguisu ( bush warbler, signifying the arrival of spring ) sits on a bamboo […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Bora, the grey mullet ( Mugil cephalus ). Together with camellia and Japanese asparagusudo. Poems by Higaki Kunifune and Toshinoto Haruki. From the first series of ten plus one prints published by Eijudo c 1832-34. The set was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Warabi, one of the Stations from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the set with the publisher Iseya Rihei ( Kinjudo ). […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Hakone from the “Reisho” Tokaido. So-called because of the titles written in formal script. The best Tokaido set after the Hoeido. Shows travellers holding pine-torches climbing a mountain path at night. The Hakone mountains were one of the most gruelling parts of the Tokaido, but at the same […]
Utagawa TOYOHARU (1735-1814)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely fine large painting by Toyoharu – the founder of the Utagawa School and teacher of Toyokuni and Toyohiro. Show a group comprising a high-ranking courtesan, her two kamuro ( attendants ), and her manservant carrying a lantern with either the crest of the Yoshiwara House or […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A pair of narrow paintings showing fringed pinks on one side and a hanging basket with ferns on the other. Sumi and colour on paper. 35.5 x 5.62 in; 90 x 14.2 cms each. Painted in semi-Shijo style. Fine condition. Framed and glazed. Signed Ryusai and sealed Ichiryusai […]
Kubo SHUMMAN (1757-1820)
Click here to view image full size. A fine painter and renowned for his surimono, and for supervising the design and carving of them for fellow poets. Produced some refined prints and contributed to kyoka anthologies. Changed the character with which he wrote “Shun” of Shunman from”Spring” to “Excel” in 1782. Shows a Botangesyohaku ( […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A fascinating specially commissioned painting by Hiroshige showing a large carp windsock ( koinoburi ) and Boys’ Day banners. Fuji is seen in the distance. The centre banner shows Shoki, the Demon Quellor, exorcising an oni. Shoki images were popular in houses to ward off evil during the […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A wonderfully delicate study using light washes showing a Japanese carrot, mushrooms, a Japanese cucumber ( which have knobbles or spikes as opposed to our smooth-skinned varieties ), aubergines and long beans ( possibly yardlong beans ). Obviously from a large album of such studies ( it has […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows a scene during the siege of Nagashino Castle by Takeda Katsuyori. Torii Suneemon Katsutaka was sent to get help and managed to evade the guards. He insists on returning to his comrades but meanwhile Takeda had fastened bells to the cables on the castle’s exit which gave […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The ronin Mase Magokuro Masatoki swimming to the surface surrounded by two rays and an octopus. His sword is loosely strapped around his waist. From a set Seichu gishin meimei kagami, “Mirror of the True Loyalty of the faithful Retainers, Individually.” Published by Iseya Isaburo, 1857. Robinson S90.41. […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych of Kato Kiyomasa ( 1562-1611 ). A famous general best known for his participation in the invasion of Korea. Shows him seated before his personal banner inscribed Nan myo no rengekyo, “Hail Lotus Sutra.” On his breast is his mon, a large ring. Published by […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kani, crab, Charybois and saba, mackerel ( Scomber Japonicus ) together with morning glory. Poem by Shichichintei Mampo. From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c1840-42.The first series was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Cicle ) with judges’ names […]
Katsushika HOKUGA (active 1804-1818)
Click here to view image full size. A painting of a bamboo whisk seller. Hokuga was a pupil of Hokusai. A vigorous painting. Sumi and light colour on paper. 10.75 x 14 in; 27.5 x 35.5 cms. Nicely mounted and in fine condition. New box. Signed and sealed Hokuga. Status: Sold Click here to view […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A small drawing taken from an album of an old pine tree. Sumi and light colour on paper. Image size, 23.25 x 11 inches; 59 x 28 cms. Mounted as a painting. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige. Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. An important painting: Nanadaime Danjuro sugata-e, “Portrait of Danjuro VII.” Painted at the end of the Bunka period ( c. 1815 ), it shows the young Danjuro after his succession. He wears the Danjuro mimasugoshi, Danjuro’s triple-plaid kimono pattern. His favourite tobacco pouch with the bat-shaped catch is […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A fine and rare painting: Gunkaku zu, “A Flock of Cranes.” Hiroshige designed many fine kachoga during the 1830s through to the 1850s but there exist few paintings. This was a commissioned work from Hiroshige. The tancho ( “red crest” ) Japanese Crane, Grus japonensis, is the second […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print with title: Furyu yami no kaori, “A Refined Date in the Dark.” Shows a beauty holding a pipe and contemplating a dusky garden and her hidden lover. From a set published by Kojimaya Jubei, with date seal 3/1852. Fine impression and colour. Small paper […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A poem by the Lady of Ise which speaks of a love that has not been reciprocated. From Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki, the “Hundred Poems Explained by the Wet Nurse.” Published by Eijudo and Iseri, c.1835-6. Although obviously intended to be a set of 100 prints, only […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print from a set of views in Ise: Ise meisho, Asakumayama toge no chamise, “Teahouses on the Mount Asakuma Pass, Famous Places of Ise Province.” Hiroshige used this view about a decade later for his oban tata-e set The 60-Odd Provinces. He cleverly uses the […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Roba kiwan o mochisaru zu from Shinkei sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts.” The best design from the set published by Sasaki Toyokichi, 1889. This famous story recounts how Watanabe no Tsuna cuts off the arm of the demon Ibaraki at the Rashomon Gate, Kyoto in 976. He […]
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 […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The apparition of the Sea Monk, Umibozu, looming above the sailor Kawanaya Tokuzo. The best design from Tokaido gojusan tsui, Station 41, Kuwana. The legend has it that Tokuzo, against the advice of his peers, went to sea on the last day of the year. He subsequently experienced […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Musashi-bo Benkei overcome by Onzoshi Ushiwaka Maru on Gojo Bridge under a full moon. Benkei was enormously tall and strong and had defeated many challengers on the bridge in Kyoto. However, he met his denouement in Yoshitsune who, although much smaller, was a fencing master. He is shown […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing the Soga Brothers’ last stand in the rain on Suso Moor under Mount Fuji. Fuji no Suso-no Soga kyodai hommo wo togeru zue. Published by Yamaguchi-ya Tobei, c. 1845. A subject covered by many artists. Illustrated in Robinson, Kuniyoshi, HMSO, 1961, no. 44. Very good […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The old hag of the Lonely House. A gruesome subject: The evil witch is intent on cutting open the pregnant woman’s belly to get at the unborn child whose blood she needs for a magic potion. From Ikkai zuihitsu, “Essays by Yoshitoshi.” A set of 13 prints published […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Yamauba and Kaidomaru from Ikkai zuihitsu, “Essays by Yoshitoshi.” A set of 13 prints published by Masadaya in 1872 ( this design being 1873 ). Shows the mother and son ( also known as Kintaro ). He of the enormous strength is often shown acting as umpire at […]