Posts by Richard Kruml:
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size.
The monkey of phenomenal powers Sun Wukong battles Kinkaku Daio on a sea cliff. From a fine, rare and early set of at least 21 designs: Tsuzoku saiyuki, “Journey to the West” published by Fukuta between 10/1864 and 8/1865, this being 12/1864. The story covers the journey of Son Goku ( Chin. Sun Wukong ) a.k.a. The Monkey King to India, accompanying Xuanzang, to retrieve the Buddhist sutras. Sun Wukong, born from a stone, had supernatural powers; possessed enormous strength; could transform himself into other people and objects, and cover large distances in a single flip. The story covers 100 chapters and there are a multitude of characters and events. A fine design.
Fine impression. Minimal soil and fading. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The monkey of phenomenal powers Sun Wukong battles a warrior ( Rakijo ? ) on a precipitous cliff over a choppy sea. From a fine, rare and early set of at least 21 designs: Tsuzoku saiyuki, “Journey to the West” published by Fukuta between 10/1864 and 8/1865, this […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The monkey of phenomenal powers Sun Wukong battles Kofuo, the wind demon who had captured Genjosanzo. From a fine, rare and early set of at least 21 designs: Tsuzoku saiyuki, “Journey to the West” published by Fukuta between 10/1864 and 8/1865, this being 12/1864. The story covers the […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. The monkey of phenomenal powers Sun Wukong battles an enormous polka dot shishi lion. Shidado no roma. From a fine, rare and early set of at least 21 designs: Tsuzoku saiyuki, “Journey to the West” published by Fukuta between 10/1864 and 8/1865, this being 12/1864. The story covers […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print of the utmost rarity with title E-kyodai awase kagami. An impossible title to translate but something like Disparate Images as Opposing Mirrors. Another from this set is illustrated in Juzo Suzuki, Kuniyoshi, 1992, pls. 421 and 422 ( from Merlin Dailey collection and also […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. Shows ordinary seaman Nishikawa Hatsutaro of the corvette Katsuragi which saw action during the Sino-Japanese war ( 1/7/1894-17/4/1895 ). He appears to be saving something by covering it with his body. From a set Rikukaigunjin komei kagami, “Mirror of Army and Navy Heroes.” Published by Inoue Kichijiro, 2/1895. […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Lieutenant Colonel Tomioka Sanzo charging on horseback. He was the commander of the 22nd infantry regiment during the Sino-Japanese war ( 1/7/1894-17/4/1895 ). From a set Rikukaigunjin komei kagami, “Mirror of Army and Navy Heroes.” Published by Inoue Kichijiro, 2/1895. For whatever reason, a rare set. Fine […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the army engineer Onoguchi Tokuji who destroyed the castle gate at Jinzhoucheng during the Sino-Japanese war ( 1/7/1894-17/4/1895 ). From a set Rikukaigunjin komei kagami, “Mirror of Army and Navy Heroes.” Published by Inoue Kichijiro, 2/1895. For whatever reason, a rare set. Fine design. Fine impression and […]
Ichiyusai 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 ( Tale of Genji ) written by Lady Murasaki Shikibu ( c 973 – 1025 ). This design is for […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A vision of hell. In the centre sits Enma, King of Hell, dressed as a Chinese official flanked by minions. He sits in judgement deciding whether a deceased person had been good or bad. Those found wanting are subjected to horrendous tortures, miscreants being boiled, crushed, burnt or […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A rare triptych Toyotomi shoshinroku, “A Record of the Advancement of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.” Shows the young Hideyoshi ( 1537 – 1598 ) demanding an apology from Hachisuka Koroku on Yahagi Bridge. Published c. 1869 by Yorozumago. Fine impression and colour. Gauffrage and extensive burnishing. The paulownia border intact […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An apparently unrecorded horizontal diptych, each panel measuring 6.5 x 15 in; 16.5 x 38 cms. Two groups meet in a snowy landscape and the children, boys on left and girls on right, start a snowball battle. An early surimono-style design, published c 1826-7. Publisher unread ( Kagaya […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The Moon Pine, Ueno, Ueno sannai tsuki no matsu from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ), this design being Snake 8 ( 1857 ). Shows Shinobazu Pond, Ueno Park, seen through […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The Kameido Shrine in snow. The best design from a Toto Meisho set of 21 prints published by Kikakudo ( Sanoki ) c. 1832-5 and then extended to 55 in c. 1839-42. The view shows the famous Drum Bridge, koi ponds and wisteria. The main shrine to the […]
Miyagawa CHOSHUN (1682-1752)
Click here to view image full size. The pre-eminent painter of the first half of the eighteenth century but not better known because neither he or his pupils are known to have designed any prints. His subjects were invariably beautiful girls and women, which makes this painting especially interesting. Shows two new year manzai dancers. […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A newly discovered Hokusai painting showing falling maple leaves, pine needles and a rustic broom. Pine needles and a broom would suggest the Pine Trees of Takasago. Uba’s broom sweeping away evil – bringing good luck. But the painting suggests a Zen theme, the previous mount being in […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A poem by Sanji Takamura 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 27 are known plus drawings for others. The poem is a farewell […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A hand painted fan showing an Onna Daruma, a female Bodhidharma. Legend has it that Daruma reached Japan by crossing the sea on a stalk of millet and many prints depict this event but often substituting a courtesan for Daruma. Otherwise he is shown, bearded, with beetle brows […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Arguably Yoshitoshi’s masterpiece in the triptych format. Shows Mongaku ( Endo Morito, c.1120-1200 ) subjecting himself to three years penance as a Buddhist monk beneath the waterfall of Mount Nachi in Kii Province. Morito inflicted this punishment on himself because he had inadvertently cut off the head of […]
NAGASAKI SCHOOL
Click here to view image full size. A fine dai oban ( 17.25 x 12.5 in ) print showing a Russian ship in Nagasaki harbour. The Dutch title: Vreemde Groote Schip, “A Large Foreign Ship” top right. An envoy is being rowed ashore in a dinghy accompanied by musicians. The first Russian envoy to Japan, […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A poem by Bunya no Asayasu 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 27 are known plus drawings for others. The poem likens dewdrops […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A poem by Motoyoshi Shinno 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 27 are known plus drawings for others. The poem concerns the intention […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Buyo kanazawa hassho yakei, “A Night View of Kanazawa.” This area, about 10 km south of Yokohama, was renowned for its Eight Famous Views. Although without any series title, this is from a trinity of designs depicting Snow, Moon ( as here ) and Flowers. These were the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Otsu hashirii chamise, “The Running Well Teahouse at Otsu” from the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido. The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo, c.1833-4. Shows the teahouse with the eponymous well at far left. So-called because of the water that gushed from it. Rice cakes in Otsu borrowed […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Miya, atsuta shinji, “Miya, Shinto Ceremonies at Atsuta Shrine” from the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido. The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo, c.1833-4. Shows the annual festival on the 21st day of the sixth month. Two groups of men drive two horses with long ropes. On the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A snow scene: Fukagawa kiba, “Lumberyard, Fukagawa” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Dragon 8 ( 1856 ). Wood was in strong demand in Edo as there […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kamata no umezono, “Plum Garden at Kamata” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Snake 2 ( 1857 ). A sedan chair is seen to the right in […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A snow scene: Atago shita yabukoji, “Bamboo Lane Below Atago Hill” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Dragon 12 ( 1856 ). The large building on the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Bikunibashi setchu, “Bikuni [ Nun’s ] Bridge in Snow” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Horse 10 ( 1858 ). This area was popular for food stalls […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A snow scene: Meguro taikobashi yuhi no oka, “Drum Bridge and Sunset Hill, Meguro” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856 – 58 ). This design dated Snake 4 ( 1857 ). Very good […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Satta Fuji, “Mount Fuji from Satta.” From the early set of fifteen prints Honcho meisho, “Famous Views of our Country” published by Fujiokaya Hikotaro, c.1837. ( In fact three designs were commissioned in 1832 but the set suspended, only to be resurrected after the success of the first […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An untitled kakemono generally referred to as the Snow Gorge. Shows the Fuji River flowing between steep, snowy cliffs. The river eventually flows into Suruga Bay. It is known that Hiroshige visited this region in 4/1842 and he probably crossed the Fuji River. Published by Sanoya Kihei, c.1834-4. […]
Tosendo RIFU (Active c. 1730)
Click here to view image full size. Rifu was a member of the Kaigetsudo school, although little is known of his life. This beautiful painting shows a young woman in a voluminous robe cooling off in the summer. Full colour on paper with elements picked out in gold such as the comb, fan and robe. […]
Uragami GYOKUDO (1745-1820)
Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. An original painting, sumi on paper. Image: 5.5 x 8.25 in; 14 x 21 cms. Shows a hilly landscape with a coppice cut through with a stream and two bridges. Gyokudo is now considered the leading exponent of Nanga painting. An […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare surimono: I have only seen one other impression and that was one I purchased around 20 years ago. Shows the most famous playwright of his age – Tsuruya Nanboku IV ( 1755 – 1829 ). His crest is clearly visible on his shoulders. He died […]
Soga SHOHAKU (1730-1781)
Click here to view image full size. An enigmatic and unclassifiable artist who took the name Soga from Soga Jasoku, a fifteenth-century artist. He lived in Kyoto and is known to have abhored Okyo. Although admired for his dynamic brushwork by his contemporaries, he was considered – if not mad – certainly very eccentric. Now […]
Suzuki HARUNOBU (c 1725–1770)
Click here to view image full size. A chuban print of a pair of oxen. One of the Junishi, Twelve Zodiacal Signs ( this being Ushi ). Complemented here by a red and white plum tree. People born in the Year of the Ox are known to be difficult but, once committed, they are loyal […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A distant view of Mount Daisen [ Oyama ] in Hoki Province. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The set published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 12/1853 ). White rain ( printed with […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kazusa Kuroto no ura, “The Bay of Kuroto in Kazusa” from a set Shokoku meisho zukai, “Famous Views of the Provinces.” An uncut fan print published by Iseya Soyemon, c 1854. Shows women in a ferry with ships being unloaded in the background and Mount Fuji beyond. Another […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An important original painting either prior and for the published print Yotsugi-dori, yosui hikifune, “Hauling Canal Boats, Yotsugi Road” from the Meisho Edo hyakkei, published 1857; or painted at the same time because of particular satisfaction with the design. The canal supplied drinking water to the Fukagawa area. […]