Posts by Richard Kruml:
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An iconic image from Hiroshige’s oeuvre: Mountains and Rivers on the Kiso Road, Kisoji no yamakawa. A majestic snow scene showing a rugged part of the Kisokaido Road. One of the oldest in Japan, becoming less important after the Tokaido Road was constructed, which was faster and easier. Although no series title this is from a trinity of designs depicting Snow ( as here ), Moon and Flowers. These were the last three great prints Hiroshige designed. All are rare, especially Snow and Moon. Published 1857 by Okasawaya Taheiji.
Fine impression and colour. Slight yellowing of the paper, otherwise fine condition. Completely untrimmed. Matching sheets with extra paper all round. ( These three designs are martyres to trimming. ) Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Manjiro HOKUGA (Fl. Early 19th Century)
Click here to view image full size. A pupil of Hokusai who specialised in Surimono and book illustration. Used Hokuga signature until 1810, then Hotei Gosei. Shows Shoki, the demon quellor, descending to earth on a vapour cloud wielding a sword in order to vanquish demons. Painted entirely in red pigment. The subject matter and […]
Ogata GEKKO (1859-1920)
Click here to view image full size. Gekko was a founding member of the Bunten and frequent prize winner. As well as designing prints, he illustrated magazines and decorated pottery. A talented artist who developed his own distinctive style. A young girl and a cuckoo. The first cuckoo traditionally heralds the arrival of summer and […]
Watanabe SEITEI (1851-1918)
Click here to view image full size. A fascinating painting by Seitei in homage or as a commission inspired by Yoshitoshi’s ghost print: The ghost of Genji’s lover, Yugao, from Tsuki hyakushi, published 3/1886. Another unusual element is that Seitei has painted the outline of the scroll and the ichimonji and gone beyond, painting a […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A fox priest from Tsuki hyakushi, “One Hundred Phases of the Moon.” Based on the Kyogen farce Konkai, “A Fox’s Cry” which tells of a hunter who is lectured on trapping foxes by his uncle, a priest. On his way home his uncle turns into his true form, […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Inudzuka Shino Moritaka defending himself against Inukai Kempachi Nobumichi and his men on the Horyukaku roof. From a set of four diptychs ( often split ) published by Nishimuraya Yohachi, c 1835. Robinson S 5.6. Very good impression. Fine colour and condition. Completely untrimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Mariko from the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido Road. The set designed by several artists and various publishers to commemorate the journey of the Shogun from Edo to Kyoto in 2/1863. The best Yoshitoshi design from this set. Shows a battle fleet outside Mariko. Published by Yamaguchi 5/1865. […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The pilot and nobleman Yoshibei leaps from his vessel to a rock in the Chopping Block Shoals and sacrifices himself to save his ship off the coast of Buzen Province. Meisho Kyushu yori joraku no toki. Published c 1850 by Santetsu. A wonderful and rare triptych which is […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Abe no Hirafu slaying a giant bear from Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan.” A set of 51 prints published between 1876 and 1882 by Funazu Chujiro. ( This being 1880. ) Probably the best design from the set. Very good impression, colour and […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Amaterasu Omikami appearing from the cave from Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan.” A set of 51 prints published between 1876 and 1882 by Funazu Chujiro. ( This being 1882. ) One of the best designs from the set showing the famous story of […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Kamitsukeno Yatsunada attacking Saohime’s castle from Dai Nippon meisho kagami, “Mirror of Famous Generals of Japan.” A set of 51 prints published between 1876 and 1882 by Funazu Chujiro. ( This being 1880. ) One of the best designs from the set showing Saohime perishing in the flames […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Toto Asakusa Honganji, “Fuji from the Roof of the Hongan Temple, Asakusa, in the Eastern Capital” from Hokusai’s most celebrated set: Fugaku sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji.” The set of 46 prints published by Eijudo, c 1830-32. This appears to be a New Year view judging […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kameido Umeyashiki, “The Plum Garden at Kameido.” Umeyashiki is the name of the plum garden on the bank of the Sumida River behind the Tenman Shrine at Kameido. From Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Fukagawa Suzaki jumantsubo. The one hundred-thousand tsubo [ an area of measure ] plain, Suzaki, Fukagawa, from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). An eagle hovers over the snowy coastal plain at Suzaki […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. “Evening Rain at Kozumi”, Kozumi no yau from the early set Kanazawa hakkei, “Eight Views in Kanazawa” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, c 1835-6. This is an extremely rare and fine set and examples in good condition are very difficult to find. Each print contains a classical 31-syllable waka […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. “Evening Snow at Uchikawa”, Uchikawa bosetsu from the early set Kanazawa hakkei, “Eight Views in Kanazawa” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, c 1835-6. This is an extremely rare and fine set and examples in good condition are very difficult to find. Each print contains a classical 31-syllable waka poem […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Hira bosetsu, “Evening Snow at Mount Hira” from the vertical Omi Hakkei set of eight views of Lake Biwa. Published by Uoya Eikichi, Snake 7, 1857. Omi is the largest freshwater lake in Japan which serves as a reservoir for the cities of Kyoto and Otsu. Superb impression […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Arai watashibune no zu, “Ferry Boats at Arai.” Shows ferry boats outside the barrier – seen on the far shore –which was one of the most important on the Tokaido. From Hiroshige’s most famous set: Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi, “The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido.” The set […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Ishibe Megawa no sato, “Megawa Village near Ishibe” from Hiroshige’s most famous set: Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi, “The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido.” The set jointly published by Takenouchi Magohachi ( Hoeido ) and Tsuruya Kiemon ( Senkakudo ), 1833-34. Shows travellers and revellers passing a tea […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Tsuchiyama haru no ame, “Spring Rain at Tsuchiyama” from Hiroshige’s most famous set: Tokaido gojusan tsugi no uchi, “The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido.” The set jointly published by Takenouchi Magohachi ( Hoeido ) and Tsuruya Kiemon ( Senkakudo ), 1833-34. Shows a daimyo’s procession crossing the Tamura […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Taira no Kiyomori kaii o miru zue, “Taira no Kiyomori Haunted by Strange Sights.” Towards the end of his life, Kiyomori, the head of the Taira clan, was obsessed with and hallucinated that his vanquished enemies had come back for retribution. Shows Kiyomori and his lover on the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Yoshitsune senbon zakura, “Yoshitsune and the Thousand Cherry Trees” from an extremely rare set: Kokon joruri tsukushi, “Ancient and Modern Dramas Illustrated.” The set published c 1846 by Sanoki. Basil Stewart listed 14 known designs in his Subjects Portrayed in Japanese Colour-Prints, Kegan Paul, 1922, p. 308 and […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Seishu Akogi no ura. Akogi no Heiji being arrested for fishing in forbidden waters from an extremely rare set: Kokon joruri tsukushi, “Ancient and Modern Dramas Illustrated.” The set published c 1846 by Sanoki. Basil Stewart listed 14 known designs in his Subjects Portrayed in Japanese Colour-Prints, Kegan […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Chushin koshaku yukifuri no dan, “Meeting of the Loyal Ones in Snow” from an extremely rare set: Kokon joruri tsukushi, “Ancient and Modern Dramas Illustrated.” The set published c 1846 by Sanoki. Basil Stewart listed 14 known designs in his Subjects Portrayed in Japanese Colour-Prints, Kegan Paul, 1922, […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Heavy snow with geisha in front of the torii in the Gion district of Kyoto. From the set of 10 prints Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Views of Kyoto.” Published by Eisendo c 1834. The first edition of this design has the publisher’s mark and kiwame seal in […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Arashiyama manka, “Cherry Trees in Full Bloom at Arashiyama” from the set of 10 prints Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Views of Kyoto.” Published by Eisendo c 1834. Arashiyama, to the west of Kyoto, was the place to admire the cherry blossom. Shows men poling a large raft […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Tamagawa no shugetsu, “Autumn Moon over the Tama River” from the early set Edo kinko hakkei, “Eight Views in the Environs of Edo.” The set was first privately printed for the Taihaido poetry club by Sanoya Kihei ( Kikakudo ) c 1837-8 with three poems on each design. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Mariko from Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido”. The so-called Reisho Tokaido. Published by Maruya Seijiro, c 1851-2. Although Mariko, it probably shows the mountain village of Utsunoya on the way to the next station, Okabe. In contrast to most snow scenes where the earliest […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Bizen, Yukazan. A figureless snow scene and the best design from the set of twenty prints entitled: Sankai mitate sumo, “Mountains and Sea Contending like Wrestlers”- one of the most poetic of his titles which is in an umpire’s fan used for wrestling matches, top right. The set […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Tsukudajima hatsu hototogitsu, “The First Cuckoo at Tsukudajima Island” from Hiroshige’s first major landscape set of ten prints with title Toto meisho published by Shoeido c 1831-2. Shows a few boats off the Island in the Bay of Edo as seen from Eitai Bridge. To the right the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Autumn moon at Ishiyama, Ishiyama no shugetsu, from the set of eight prints: Eight Views in Omi Province published 1834 by Hoeido. “Eight Views” was borrowed from Chinese poetry and each print conveys, pictorially, the kyoka poem written in the square label at the top right. To the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Evening Bell at Miidera Temple, Mii no bansho, from the set: Omi hakkei no uchi, “Eight Views in Omi Province.” The series of eight prints was published by Hoeido and Eikyudo, c.1834-5. When first published it was advertised as a “work in black and white, lightly coloured,” and […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A giant wave thrown up by the sea at Satta. Suruga Satta kaijo, “Waves Off the Satta Pass in Suruga Province” from the set Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” The finest design from the set. The spume of a wave was thought to transmogrify into […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Masaki yukibare, “Clearing Weather After Snow.” A Toto meisho set of 21 prints published by Kikakudo ( Sanoki ) c 1832-5 and then extended to 55 in c 1839-42. Shows the temple on the far shore with boatmen navigating the river in the foreground. The scene under heavy […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The Urami Falls, Mt. Nikko, Shimotsuke Province. Shimotsuke, Nikkozan urami no taki. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The series published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 8/1853 ). The “Back-View” waterfall, so-called because […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Amanohashidate in Tango Province. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The series published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 12/1853 ). The sandbank extended about three kilometres into the Sea of Japan. With Miyajima […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The Yoro waterfall in Mino Province. Mino Yoro no taki. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces.” The series published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 ( this being 8/1853 ). The fall was also depicted by Hokusai […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Women bringing offerings to the great shrine in Izumo, Izumo, taisha hotohoto no zue. Hotohoto was a festival on the 14th day of the first month and children went around receiving rice cakes or small amounts of money. One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare complete pentatych ( each sheet numbered at the bottom ): Shin Yoshiwara sakura no keshiki, “Cherry Blossom in the Yoshiwara.” A panorama of the main Nakanocho street in early April with transplanted cherry trees. The main entrance to the right on the first sheet, the […]