Posts by Richard Kruml:
Teisai HOKUBA (1771-1844)
Click here to view image full size.
Three courtesans watching clients leaving in light rain. One of Hokusai’s best pupils; a fine painter and illustrator of kyoka books.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hokuba ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Bando Mitsugoro III as Washi no Osaburo disguised as Yamagatsu Kumao in Kawaranu hana Genji no kaomise performed at the Ichikawa Theatre in 11/1827. The left sheet of a surimono triptych probably issued for the new year of 1828. The complete set is in the Victoria […]
Ito SHINSUI (1898-1972)
Click here to view image full size. A beauty holding a fan. Dated and signed top right: Taisho jusannen shichigatsu Shinsui saku, “Taisho 13 [ 1924 ], July, work of Shinsui.” Published by Watanabe Shozaburo. Mica ground. Fine impression and colour. Minor soil extreme left bottom corner, otherwise very good condition. Status: Sold
Ito SHINSUI (1898-1972)
Click here to view image full size. Washing the Hair ( aka Tresses ). A large print ( 49.3 x 35 cms; 19.5 x 13.75 inches ) published in 1953 to celebrate the artist’s being made an “Intangible Cultural Property” in 1952. Shinsui supervised the printing and a mica ground was used, the usual symbol […]
Ito SHINSUI (1898-1972)
Click here to view image full size. The Cotton Kimono from the series “New Twelve Images of Beauties”. See The female image, no 32, p.54. Published by Watanabe (seal lower left) in 1922. Limited edition of 200 seal au verso. Perfect impression and colour. Signed Shinsui with dater Taisho 11. Status: Sold
Torii KOTONDO (1900-1976)
Click here to view image full size. Obi, the “Sash”. See The female image, nos 168-2 – p.126. Yellow mica ground. Published by Kawaguchi, Showa 4 (1929). Limited edition of 350 seal au verso. Perfect impression and colour. Signed Showa yonen go gatsu Kotondo ga. Status: Sold
Ito SHINSUI (1898-1972)
Click here to view image full size. Cutting the nails from the Second Series of Modern Beauties. See The female image, no.79, p.74. Published by Watanabe (seals left and right) Showa 11 (1936). Limited edition seal au verso no.235 from 250. Perfect impression, colour and, apart from a minor crease, perfect condition. Mica ground. Signed […]
Hirano HAKUHO (1879-1957)
Click here to view image full size. After a bath. See The female image, no.210, p.153. Published by Watanabe (his seal lower left) Showa 7 (1932). Limited edition seal au verso no.9 from 100. Perfect impression, colour and condition. Signed Showa schichinen ichigetsu Hakuho ga with seal. Status: Sold
Hirano HAKUHO (1879-1957)
Click here to view image full size. Woman before a mirror. See The female image, no.209, p.153. Published by Watanabe Showa 7 (1932). Status: Sold
Kishi CHIKUDO (1826-1897)
Click here to view image full size. A large painting, 57 x 28 in; 144 x 71 cms ( image size ) showing a peregrine falcon dislodging snow from a heavily snow-laden pine tree. The bird was closely associated with the New Year. Chikudo was the fourth generation head of the Kishi school which was […]
Jokei RYUKOSAI (Fl. 1772-1816)
Click here to view image full size. The most important Osaka artist in the last quarter of the 18th century. His prints are rare and, apart from being an influence on Shunei and possibly Sharaku, he spawned a line of fine pupils. His actor prints are trenchant and full of character. A delightful painting showing […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting on grey silk of an actor in a female role ( Segawa Kikunojo III ? ). Executed in fine detail – almost as a surimono with gold, silver and heightened gofun. Probably one of a set tipped into an album and commissioned by a wealthy […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861 )
Click here to view image full size. An original and unrecorded painting of a young beauty reading a letter. She looks to be around 18 or 19 years old and this was most likely a commission from the girl’s family. ( The flower on her bodice is probably the family crest. ) Only 32 paintings […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A fine and important original painting by Hiroshige in the Shijo style, sumi and light colour on paper, showing a beauty beneath a tree. This manner of painting seems to have appealed to Hiroshige and some of his best work employs it. ( See Kobijutsu, Special Issue, Number […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting; sumi and colour on silk showing sunrise on New Year’s day at Suzaki. This painting illustrated in The Memorial Exhibition, Hiroshige’s Two Hundred Anniversary, Dr Kobayashi Tadashi, 1996, no. 313. Image size 14.25 x 22 inches, 36 x 56 cms. Mounted as a scroll with […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size. A large painting on silk, 54 x 34.5 inches ( 137 x 87.5 cms ) showing a side view of a huge Okame mask. Okame ( or Ofuku ) was the Goddess of Mirth, Ama no Uzume no Mikoto. She is known for helping Amaterasu out of the […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Sumi and colour on silk, 17 x 21.5 in., showing a view of a bay with boats moored in the background. In the foreground figures wading in shallow water looking at fish and getting ready for a picnic. Yoshitoshi paintings are rare and this is an unusual and […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An important unrecorded painting by Kuniyoshi. Sumi and colour on silk, 145 cms x 82cms. Shows the courtesan Jigoku Reigan of Takasu who was adopted and patronized by the priest Ikkyu. Her voluminous ceremonial attire is covered with designs of demons and the tortures of hell. This was […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting on paper of an ai or ayu, river trout, (Plecoglossus altivelis) swimming in a stream. Sumi and light colour, 11 x 18 inches: 28 x 46cms. Painting comes from the collection of the Hiroshige collector Mr Oda Kakukiti and is sold with box guaranteed by […]
Ono BAKUFU (1888-1976)
Click here to view image full size. An important two-fold screen in sumi and colour showing various Japanese fish and aquatic plants. Size of each panel 32 x 63 inches; 81 x 160 cms. Overall size double this. Bakufu is best known for his fish prints and paintings. Extremely decorative. Original mounting. Ex Spink & […]
Ogata GEKKO (1859-1920)
Click here to view image full size. A set of five tanzaku paintings on silk mounted onto card. Each painting is 14.25 x 2.25 inches; 36 x 5.75 cms. Very good conditions. Each signed Gekko and sealed. Status: Sold Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. Click here […]
Yurakusai NAGAHIDE (fl. c. 1804-1848)
Click here to view image full size. A hosoban kappazuri print (stencil print) showing the actors Ichikawa Danzo IV, Yoshizawa Iroha I, and Arashi Kichisaburo II as Shurinosuke, his wife, and Toshihiro. Exceptionally rare: Seemingly the only other impression known is illustrated in 200 Years of Kamigata Ukiyo-e, 1975, no. 39. Published 1803. Publisher unread. […]
Utagawa TOYOHIRO (1773-1828)
Click here to view image full size. A girl offering a fruit (?) to a pet monkey. Hanging scroll. Sumi and colour on silk; 52 x 38 cms. Signed Toyohiro ga, seal Ichiryusai. Status: Sold Click here to view image full size.
Kinoshita HIRONOBU I (Active c1851-1870)
Click here to view image full size. A large head oban print of the actor Onoe Shogyoku in an unknown role from a rare set: Zen (?) kurabe nishiki utsushie, “A Comparison of Virtuous Pictures.” Published c1859. This is the first deluxe edition with extensive burnishing, gold and silver. The set was reissued without these […]
Ichiyosai YOSHITAKI (1841-1899. Active c1854-1885)
Click here to view image full size. A large head oban print of the actor Nakamura Kanjaku II as Takeda Katsuyori (?) from a rare set: Zen (?) kurabe nishiki utsushie, “A Comparison of Virtuous Pictures.” Published c1859. This is the first deluxe edition with extensive burnishing, gold and silver. The set was reissued without […]
Kinoshita HIRONOBU I (Active c1851-1870)
Click here to view image full size. A large head oban print of the actor Otani Tomomatsu I as Yaegaki hime from a rare set: Zen (?) kurabe nishiki utsushie, “A Comparison of Virtuous Pictures.” Published c1859. This is the first deluxe edition with extensive burnishing, gold and silver. The set was reissued without these […]
Kinoshita HIRONOBU I (Active c1851-1870)
Click here to view image full size. A large head oban print of the actor Arashi Tokusaburo II ( or III [?] ) as Hangari on’na from a rare set: Zen (?) kurabe nishiki utsushie, “A Comparison of Virtuous Pictures.” Published c1859. This is the first deluxe edition with extensive burnishing, gold and silver. The […]
Ichiyosai YOSHITAKI (1841-1899. Active c1854-1885)
Click here to view image full size. A large head oban print of the actor Sancho Daisho (?) as the pirate Watonai ( Kokusenya, Coxinga ) from a rare set: Zen (?) kurabe nishiki utsushie, “A Comparison of Virtuous Pictures.” Published c1859. This is the first deluxe edition with extensive burnishing, gold and silver. The […]
Shunkosai HOKUSHU (Active 1809-1832)
Click here to view image full size. Bando Mitsugoro III as Daihanji Kiyozumi and Arashi Koroku IV as the son Koganosuke in the play Imoseyama Onna Teikin. In fact a diptych ( see Keyes, The Theatrical World of Osaka Prints, no. 16, p. 72-73 ). The child Koganosoke resolves on a suicide pact with Hinadori […]
Shunkosai HOKUEI (Active 1824-1837)
Click here to view image full size. Iwai Shijaku I as Kowagi Atsumori and Nakamura Utaemon III as Kumagai Jiro Naozane in Gempei Tsutsuji, performed 2/1832 at the Kado Theatre. Published by Honya Seishichi. This is the second state of three: The first edition also has carver’s seal and various de-luxe embellishments. The third state […]
Ryusai SHEGEHARU (1803-1853)
Click here to view image full size. A surimono diptych of actors. Shigeharu, according to contemporary accounts, was the only professional full-time actor/print designer. True shikishi-ban Osaka surimono are extremely rare: Anecdotally there are supposed to be some others in the vaults of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Fine impression with burnishing, silver and […]
Shunkosai HOKUSHU (active 1810-1832)
Click here to view image full size. Yellow-ground bust portrait of Nakamura Utaemon III ( Inanoya Hanbei ). Published 3/1820. Rare: Another chirimen ( creped ) version is illustrated in Kamigata Prints in the former period: part 1, Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum of Waseda University, no. 129, p. 33 Very good impression and colour. Slight […]
Yamaguchi SHIGEHARU (1803-1853)
Click here to view image full size. The complete oban diptych showing ( right ) a bust portrait of Onoe Kikugoro III as Shizuka no Mae and ( left ) a bust portrait of Nakamura Utaemon III as Kitsune Tadanobu in the play Yoshitsune senbon zakura, “The Thousand Cherries of Yoshitsune” performed 10/1830. Illustrated complete […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Shiojiri Pass, View of Lake Suwa, from the Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). A view from the pass over […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A view over the Naruto Strait of the whirlpools at Awa, Awa no naruto no fukei. Although no series title this is from a trinity of triptychs depicting Snow, Moon and Flowers, this being the last ( because the eddies and whirls were reminiscent of flowers [ nami […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The village of Yase, Yase no sato from Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous views of Kyoto.” Shows Oharame from the village of Ohara travelling to Kyoto to sell their wares. A set of ten prints published by Kawaguchiya Shojo, c 1834. Very good impression and colour. Several expertly […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Shinyoshiwara asazakura no zue, “Morning Cherries at Yoshiwara” from Toto Meisho, “Famous Views of the Eastern Capital.” Hiroshige’s first landscape set of ten prints published c 1831 by Kawaguchiya Shojo. An early morning scene with low lying mist. A client takes leave of his companion. Fine impression. The […]
Utagawa YOSHIIKU (1833-1904)
Click here to view image full size. A rare print with title in a fishing net: Mitate nitaka kingyo, “A Parody of Goldfish with Actor’s Expressions.” The public would, of course, have recognised these actors, and Kuniyoshi and several pupils had a penchant for them. Indeed, Yoshiiku went on to be a cartoonist for the […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An aizuri-e ( with red lightning ) fan print showing the actor Bando Mitsugoro IV as Kan Shojo in the play Sugawara denju tenarai kagami, “Sugawara’s Secrets of Calligraphy” performed at the Nakamura Theatre, 5/1832. This is the Mt Tempai scene where Kan Shojo, in a rage, transforms […]