Posts by Richard Kruml:
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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The poet Li Po ( Japanese: Ri Haku ) admiring the Lo-shan Waterfall. The finest design from the rare nagaban series of ten prints: Shika shashinyo, the “Poets of China and Japan.” ( But without interpreting specific poems. ) Published by Moriya Jihei, c 1833. Li Po is shown in deep contemplation of the waterfall, being held back from toppling over by two small acolytes. One of the great Hokusai designs.
Very good impression. Slight fading and very slight fold mark. Untrimmed. ( There appear to be variations in colour on impressions known of this print. ) Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu no fude
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Otsuki-no-hara, Kai, Otsuki field from the set Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” One of the most desirable designs from the set. Shows autumn grasses and flowers with a small brook and Fuji in the distance. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. Fine impression and colour. Minimal […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Geisha coming and going through the stone torii leading to the Yasake Shrine, popularly known as the Gion Shrine from the district it is located in. This being one of the major entertainment quarters of Kyoto. Gion-sha setchu, “Gion Shrine in Snow” from a fine set of ten […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. The village of Ryudo in snow. Ryudo shoto, “Pines and Waves at Ryudo” from Ryukyo hakkei, the “Eight Views of the Ryukyo Islands” published c1831-32 by Eijudo. An archipelago of 55 islands which was annexed to Japan in 1879. Very good impression and colour. Small repaired binding holes […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Oiwake 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 ). In the distance is Asama-yama, Mount Asama, a volcano which erupted […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Fuchu from the “Reisho” Tokaido. So-called because of the titles written in formal script. The best Tokaido set after the Hoeido. Shows travellers coming and going at the entrance to the licensed quarter of Fuchu, the old capital of Suruga Province, becoming Shizuoka City in 1868. Published by […]
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 […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Full moon at Takanawa. A bijin seated beside her palanquin at a tea house. A mitate set: Edo Murasaki meisho Genji, “Murasaki’s Genji in Famous Places of Edo.” Based on the Genji Monogatari with stylised clouds above and below in Yamato-e style. Published by Kinseido c1849-53. A very […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Fuji seen from the second floor of the Mitsui clothing store just north of Nihonbashi ( which became the Mitsubishi department store of modern times ). This was considered a fine spot to view a snow-capped Fuji on New Year’s Day, and Hokusai suggests this with the kites […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A rainstorm at Suhara. One of the most important compositions from the Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835; but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). Suhara is located […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Nichiren struggling up a snow-covered mountain near Tsukahara on the Island of Sado. The best design from Koso goichidai ryakuza, the “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder.” Published by Iseya Rihei, c 1831. Like many great landscapes, there exist different states which causes confusion over which is the […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. A rare triptych showing a multitude of pleasure boats enjoying the cool of the evening on the Sumidagawa. Ryogoku Bridge in the background and exploding rockets above. This was a subject that inspired numerous artists and depicts the essence of ukiyoe. No doubt the public were meant to […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The priest Nichiren having his prayers for rain answered. The second best design from Koso goichidai ryakuzu, “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder”. This event happened at Ryozengasaki in Kamakura in 1271. Nichiren was the founder of the Buddhist Nichiren sect ( Nichiren shu – Kuniyoshi being a […]
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”. The title in an umpire’s fan used for wrestling matches, top right. The set published and sealed Horse 7 and 8 ( […]
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. Mochizuki, one of the most important compositions, 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 ). Mochizuki means full moon and […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Nagakubo, one of the most important compositions, 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 ). Shows a full moon over […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Mount Fuji as seen from the sea off Tsukudajima, Tsukuda oki kaisei no Fuji, from Toto Fujimi sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji from the Eastern Capital”. An uncompleted set published by Murataya Jirobei, c 1843-5. This stunning composition has European elements ( and supposedly the cartouche […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Seba 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 ). Seba literally means ‘washing the horse’ and this is the place […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Oiso from the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido. The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo c 1833-4. Shows travellers entering the coastal village under rain and a yellow sky. Hiroshige’s title for this design: ‘The Rain of Tora’ is a reference to the tearful Kabuki play concerning a […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. Snow at Suidobashi from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ‘One Hundred Views of Musashi’ ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro […]
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. 31-syllable waka poem above. Very good impression. […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. The Kegon Waterfall from the set: Celebrated Views in the Nikko Mountains published by Yamamoto, c 1844. The set obviously inspired by Hokusai’s earlier waterfall set of eight prints, but impressions are rarer indicating it may not have been so popular. Very good impression and colour. Slight soil […]
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. 31-syllable waka poem above. One of Hiroshige’s finest […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Ueno sannai, Tsuki-no-matsu, ‘Moon Pine, Ueno Temple Precincts’ from Meisho Edo Hyakkei, the ‘One Hundred Views of Edo’ published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). One of the best designs from the set. Fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Slight toning, […]
Aoigaoka HOKKEI (1780-1850)
Click here to view image full size. Izu, Goseiki no Mida, A boat navigating a rocky promentary from Hokkei’s most famous series: Shokoku meisho, ‘Famous Views of the Provinces’ ( here Izu Province ) published by Eijudo and Nakamuraya Katsugoro, c 1830’s. This set of long, narrow, large-tanzaku format prints is one of the finest […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Hira bosetsu, ‘Evening Snow at Mount Hira’ from the vertical Omi Hakkei set, ‘Eight Views of Omi [ Lake Biwa ]’, published by Uoya Eikichi, Snake 7, 1857. Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Several minor marks and lower margin trimmed slightly, otherwise fine. Signed Hiroshige […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Karasaki yayu ‘Evening Rain at Karasaki Pine Tree’ from the vertical Omi Hakkei set, ‘Eight Views of Omi [ Lake Biwa ]’, published by Uoya Eikichi, Snake 7, 1857. Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Slight trimming of margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Yabase kihan, ‘Fishing Boats Returning to Yabase’ from the vertical Omi Hakkei set, ‘Eight Views of Omi [ Lake Biwa ]’, published by Uoya Eikichi, Snake 7, 1857. Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Slight trimming of margins, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold
Shotei HOKUJU (active 1787-1818)
Click here to view image full size. Kai no kuni Saruhashi no shinsha no zu, ‘A True View of the Monkey Bridge in the Province of Kai’. An impressive wooden bridge spans a deep chasm. It was called the ‘Monkey Bridge’ because the original rickety, plank structure was so precarious that only an agile monkey […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Wada 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 ). Wada is the highest point on the Kisokaido and Hiroshige shows […]
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Tsukudajima gyoshu, ‘Fishing Boats at Tsukuda Island’ from Toto sanjurokkei, the ‘Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital’ published by Se-To between 1859-1862. Shows tall vessels in the foreground and cormorant fishermen in the distance. Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Minimal wormage in right margin, […]
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Shitaya, Hiroko-ji ‘Hirokoji Avenue, Shitaya’ from Toto sanjurokkei, the ‘Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital’ published by Se-To between 1859-1862. Shows figures struggling in a blustery shower. Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Minimal wormage in right margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. A masterly design showing a view of Matsuchi Hill and the Taiko Bridge in winter, looking across the Sumida River with a ferry-boat in the foreground. Published Meiji 29 ( 1896 ). Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kiyochika. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. Kyobashi with Tsukuda-jima in the background from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ?One Hundred Views of Musashi? ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige?s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. The lanterns of Hommonji Temple in Ikegami from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ‘One Hundred Views of Musashi’ ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. Rain over the paulownia plantation at Akasaka from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ?One Hundred Views of Musashi? ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige?s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. The Sumida River and Suijin Forest under heavy rain, a moon-lute in the foreground, from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ‘One Hundred Views of Musashi’ ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo but […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. Fallen snow at Fukugawa in Benten Province from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ?One Hundred Views of Musashi? ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige?s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by […]