Posts by Richard Kruml:
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A quarter-block, 4.25 x 6.5 in; 11 x 16.5 cms, print showing a cuckoo flying against a full moon. This bird is usually associated with the moon and is a harbinger of spring. Published late 1830s. Ex collection Paul-Louis de la Noe, 1879-1919, ( an acquaintance of the Goncourt brothers, Bing and Hayashi ). Probably unique.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Sakana zukushi, A Fish Series, this design showing Ise-ebi, Kuruma-ebi and Shima-ebi, Lobster [ with roe ], Prawn and Shrimp. A half-block set of the utmost rarity. Indeed, this might be the only recorded example. One other design from the same set is illustrated in Hiroshige, The Albuquerque […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II ( SHIGENOBU ) (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. A half block, 8.5 x 6.5 in; 22 x 16 cms, print showing a tree sparrow and hibiscus. From a series of prints by the same publisher, Yamashiroya Kambei (?) published 1851-53 ( Kunugasa and Murata seals ). Probably Hiroshige IIs best set in this genre. Ex collection […]
Isoda KORYUSAI (1735-1790)
Click here to view image full size. An hashira-e showing nine cranes, a pine tree and the rising sun. A triple talisman of good luck. The tancho ( “red crest” ) Japanese Crane, Grus japonensis, is the second rarest crane in the world, migrating to East Asia in the fall to spend the winter. There […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A tiger and dragon from a rare series Kinju zue, “Drawings of Birds and Beasts.” The set of at least five prints published by Joshuya Kinzo, 1837. Although rare, there are different states of the prints from this set, some having yellow cartouches, others red and uncoloured ( […]
Katsushika TAITO II (act. c. 1810-1853)
Click here to view image full size. A carp swimming upwards amongst water plants. Taito designed a number of prints, of which this is one, with an ishizuri-e panel at the left. This is normally cut off ( as here ) and certainly adds nothing to the composition. This design must have been popular as […]
Watanabe SEITEI ( SHOTEI ) (1851-1918)
Click here to view image full size. A crow in flight with falling ginko leaves from a set of 22 prints Nijuni kacho published 1916 by Okuro Yasugoro. This being the best design from the set. Fine impression, colour and condition. These prints were published on heavy paper and the early printings must have the […]
Kakemono-e ISHIZURI-E (c. late 18th century)
Click here to view image full size. A falcon perched on a tree trunk above flowering camellias and a stream. These kakemono-e lie somewhere between prints and paintings. The actual technique employed seems to have involved pressing dampened paper into engraved wood. The pigment is then applied to the raised areas; the print then being […]
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. A kakemono-e ( vertical diptych ) showing a tiger peering round a giant bamboo. Although Toyohiro and Toyokuni I produced kakemono-e during the 1800-1804 period, Eizan is generally identified with the format and published many during 1804-1817. The style used borrows from Korean paintings of tigers. No publisher’s […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Aji, horse-mackerel ( Caranx trachurus ) and kuruma-ebi, prawns, from the first series of fish published by Eijudo, c.mid 1830’s ( although this design always lacks publisher’s seal ). Poem by Toshinoya Tomiharu. Very good impression. Fine colour. One small thinned area, otherwise exceptional condition with extra paper […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kani, crab, Charybois and saba, mackerel ( Scomber Japonicus ) together with morning glory. From the second series of fish published by Yamasho, c.1840-42. No publisher’s seal although later editions have the seal of Marujin who presumably bought the blocks and republished the set. Poem by Shichichintei Mampo. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Inada, yellow tail or amberjack ( Seriola quinqueradiata ) and fugu, blow fish or puffer ( Fugu pardalis ) with plum blossom from the second series of fish published by Yamasho, c.1840-42. Poem by Suzugaki. The number of late impressions and facsimiles of the two fish sets proves […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Suzuki, Japanese sea perch ( Lateolabrax japonicus ) and kaneme-tai, red bream ( possibly Beryx splendens ), together with shiso or beefsteak plant. From the second series of fish published by Yamasho, c.1840-42. Poem by Atsugaki. Very good impression ( with Ichiryusai seal but cross-hatching on the Suzuki; […]
Kubo SHUNMAN (1757-1820)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting of a bonito and a branch of bamboo. The bonito, called katsuo in Japan, was also called ocean bonito, strip-bellied bonito and striped tuna. It was, and is, highly regarded in Japan where it is smoked and dried to make katsuobushi, an important ingredient in […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Plovers and waves from a very rare set of ten half block aizuri prints published by Moriya Jihei, c. 1831. This design – and a few others from the set – never seem to come onto the market. There appear to be at least four other impressions known: […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Inada, yellow tail or amberjack ( Seriola quinqueradiata ) and fugu, blow fish or puffer ( Fugu pardalis ) with plum blossom from the second series of fish. Published by Yamasho, c. 1840-42. The number of late impressions and facsimiles proves that the series was very popular at […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Tobiuo, flying fish ( probably Prognichthys ) and ishimochi, also called guchi or shiroguchi, white croaker ( probably Argyrosomus argenatus ) together with a single lily from the second series of fish published by Yamasho, c. 1840 – 42. The number of late impressions and facsimiles proves that […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Bora, the grey mullet ( Mugil cephalus ) with camellia and Japanese asparagusudo from the first series of fish published by Eijudo, c. mid 1830’s. The number of late impressions and facsimiles proves that the series was very popular at the time. Very good impression with extensive mica. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Ai, or ayu, river trout ( Plecoglossus altivelis ) from the first series of fish published by Eijudo, c. 1832. The first design to be commissioned and considered the finest composition from the two sets. The number of late impressions and facsimiles proves that the series was very […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An important and rare original painting of a peacock ( Pavo cristatus ) perched on a rock with peony blossom ( Paeonia suffructiosa ). The regal peacock is usually shown with peonies, symbols of opulence and associated with summer. The subject and style borrows from the Chinese-derived Kano […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Chidori, “plovers” flying against a full moon over breaking waves. This chu-tanzaku is one of Hiroshige’s best known kacho-e, and seems to have been highly regarded at the time as there are at least three other variants: One version, also published by Sanoki, is illustrated in Japanese Prints, […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A chu-tanzaku of a small brown owl sitting on a pine branch, seemingly perched on the ‘prow’ of the three-day-old moon. ( To the Japanese the moon was at it’s most beautiful at this time. ) Generally considered to be one of the finest kacho prints by Hiroshige. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Three cranes ( symbols of longevity ), new year firs and a large setting sun. Probably issued at the new year between 1847-1852. The title: Seimeiryu taitsu jyubun no koto and the inscription explain the Yakudoshi or unlucky years which occur every seven years. Published by Joshuya Kinzo. […]
Isoda KORYUSAI (Fl. c 1764-1788)
Click here to view image full size. A dragon emerging from a muddy mire. Presumably a depiction of the dragon brought forth by Chinnan to produce rain in the parched village of Sogo. Koryusai copied a drawing or painting by Ganki ( top right inscription reads: ‘Painted by Ganki’ ). Extremely rare. I cannot locate […]
Gountei SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
Click here to view image full size. Four uncut yotsugiri prints on an oban sheet showing different fish. Published by Yamaguchiya Tobei c early 1840’s. Extremely rare, especially uncut. Fine impression, colour and condition. Each print signed Sadahide ga. Status: Sold
Isoda KORYUSAI (fl. c 1764-1788)
Click here to view image full size. A rare chuban showing a female monkey grooming a youngster, a waterfall behind. Saru, “Ape” from a set of “Twelve Elegant Signs [ of the Zodiac ] “. Koryusai produced some of the most exquisite kacho of the eighteenth century. Published c 1780. Very good impression and colour. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An original sumi drawing in chu-tanzaku format on thin tissue with pentimenti probably showing an azure-winged magpie amongst cherry blossom. An almost identical drawing by Hiroshige was in my catalogue 19, 1977, Birds in Japanese Prints, item no 27. Signed Hiroshige with Hiro seal. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Two house swallows and wild cherry. An aiban print based on an opened sensu fan; however this is probably more of a decorative convention, rather than being designed for actual use. From a series published c late 1840’s by Matsubarado or Fujihiko. Excessively rare: The only other impression […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Koi, ‘carp’ swimming beneath hanging wisteria. One of Yoshitoshi’s finest and most popular designs. Published by Akiyama Buemon, 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 Museum ). Also […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An ogi-e fan print showing a camellia flower and a magnolia ( ? ) bud and flower. This appears to be the only surviving example of this design having been rescued from an actual fan. Published by Maruya Seijiro, 1852. Excessively rare: Hiroshige only designed a few ogi-e […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Hisui and nadeshiko, kingfisher with pinks and iris from a set of ten chuban prints published c 1832. The first edition ( as here ) was published by and has the seal Eijudo. A later edition is known with combined manji and kiwame seal from different blocks ( […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Sekirei and fuji, wagtail and wisteria from a set of ten chuban prints published c 1832. The first edition ( as here ) was published by and has the seal Eijudo. A later edition is known with combined manji and kiwame seal from different blocks ( some also […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Koi, carp ( Cyprinus carpio ). The best design from the second series of Large Fish published by Yamasho, c 1840-42. The first edition, second state ( with the block defect behind dorsal fin evident ). Only the earliest states have the block printing water reeds ( in […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Tobiuo, flying fish ( probably Prognichthys ) and Ishimochi also called guchi or shiroguchi, white croaker, ( probably Argyrosomus argenatus ). Together with a single lily. From the second series of fish prints published by Yamasho c 1840-2. Poem by Toshigaki Maharu. Very good early edition with extensive […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Katsuo, bonito, ( Katsuwonus pelamis ). Also called ocean bonito, strip-bellied bonito and striped tuna. Together with three sprigs of cherry ( sakura ). Poems by Toshinoto Haruki and Toshihiro Machikado. From the first series of fish published by Eijudo c 1832-4. Very good early edition after the […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Awabi or tokobushi, abalone or “sea-ear” ( Haliotus tuberculata ) and sayori, Japanese hall-beak or snipe-fish, ( Hemirhamphus sayori ). Together with peach blossom. From the first series of fish prints commercially published by Eijudo c 1832-4. Poems by Kumogaki Fujimi and Miwagaki Mimiki. It’s very difficult to […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A madai, red tai or red seabream with sprigs of sansho ( Japanese pepper ). From the first set of fish prints published by Eijudo, 1832-34. Two Kyoka poems by Shizugaki Namiyasu and Toshigaki Maharu. Good impression, colour and condition. Heavy use of mica. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A tobiuo, flying fish, and ishimochi, white croaker, together with a single lily from the second fish series. Published by Yamasho c 1840-42. Poem by Toshigaki Maharu. Good impression and colour. Minor marks and slight crease, but generally good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An otanzaku print showing a carp leaping a waterfall. This is an allusion to a Chinese story of a sturgeon that crossed the rapids of Lung Men on the third day of the third month, and became a dragon. Excessively rare: This is the only impression I have […]
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
Click here to view image full size. A bird on a bamboo branch. A sumi koban print published 1846. These prints were obviously cheaply produced and are invariably poor impressions. Ex Hayashi collection. Fine impression and condition. Signed Shigenobu ga Status: Sold