Posts by Richard Kruml:
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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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. Extremely rare: I cannot locate another illustrated impression at moment.
Fine impression and colour. Small edge restoration, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige fude.
Status: Sold
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
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
Click here to view image full size. A bird above waves. A sumi koban print published 1852. These prints were obviously cheaply produced and are invariably poor impressions. Ex Hayashi collection. Fine impression and condition. Signed Shigenobu ga. Status: Sold
Takahashi SHOTEI (Hiroaki) (1871-1944)
Click here to view image full size. A black cat with a bell round its neck. A striking design published by Fusui Gabo, Tokyo, c1935. Fine impression and colour. Fine condition. The cat’s body is heavily lacquered and the two-tone background deliberately shows the baren marks. Signed Hiroaki. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Shimada, a grouper, and an ainame, greenling, together with red-berried nanten from the second series of fish prints published by Yamasho c1840-42. Numerous copies exist of the prints from these two series and one has to be particularly vigilant. Very good early impression before the Ichiryusai seal was […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A chu-tanzaku showing two geese flying against a full moon. Excessively rare: apparently unrecorded. Not illustrated in any standard reference work. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Three hoso-tansaku (13.75 x 3 in; 35 x 7.6cm)kacho prints. Published by Matsumura Yahei c1830s. Excessively rare. Fine impression and colour. Several small repaired wormholes otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHIFUJI (1828-1887)
Click here to view image full size. An exceptionally rare print with inscription which reads: Koneko yoriatsumatte oya ni naru, “The kittens gather together and become a mother cat”. The cat’s body is formed by the convoluted forms of nineteen kittens, it’s eye is a cat’s bell and the whiskers are the spines of a […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size. A humorous print showing a cat holding aloft a rat by it’s tail, a sliver of moon above. Printed only in sumi and light brown. Rare: Illustrated in Kawanabe Kyosai, Shigeru Oikawa, The Tokyo Shimbun 1996, no.43, p.128 which gives publication as 1870s/1880s by Sawamuraya Seikichi. Very good […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Ai or ayu, river trout, (Plecoglossus altivelis) swimming in a stream from the first fish series published by Eijudo c1832-4. Probably the best design from the two series. (See also Paintings on this website for an original Hiroshige painting of this subject,) Very good impression, colour and condition. […]
Ikeda AYAOKA (active Kaei-Meiji periods)
Click here to view image full size. An untrimmed fan print showing a parody of the Yoshiwara, the courtesans and customers depicted as grasshoppers. Published c.1880’s. Fine impression and colour. Slight centre-fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ayaoka. Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing a tiger. A striking design published by Yamamotoya Heikichi c1820s. Fine early impression with gauffrage. Fine colour. Slight creasing and small edge repair, but otherwise very good, Full size. Signed Gosotei Toyokuni hitsu. Status: Sold
Taiso 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 1889 by Akiyama Buemon. Very fine early impression, fine colour. Slight trimming at bottom otherwise very good condition. Ample margins for joining. Signed Yoshitoshi ga. Status: Sold
Ikeda EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing a carp ascending a waterfall. A notoriously difficult design to find without browning and there are many late impressions. Very good impression with careful gradation. Only minimal toning of paper. Minor creasing otherwise good colour and condition. Signed Keisai hitsu with large Keisai seal. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Awabi and snipe-fish from Hiroshige’s first fish series published commercially by Eijudo around 1832-34. A rare design to find in early state. Kruml 6b (Andon 49). Very good impression and colour. Mica on shells. Full size; no centre fold. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An uchiwa-e ( fan print ) showing a young girl leaning over the side of a boat and wetting a towel. “Cool” from a set of six prints: Imayo rokkasen, “Six Modern Choises for Summer”. Published 2/1853. Unidentified publisher. Superb impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. […]
Onishi CHINNEN (1792-1851)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut uchiwa-e ( fan print ) showing a turtle swimming amongst water-lilies and minnows. Chinnen, one of the culminating artists of the Shijo movement, is best known for his illustrated books ( Azuma no teburi and Sonan gafu ) and his brush drawings and paintings. Apart from […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. A bust portrait of a beauty in the form of a fan from a series of the Six Tama Rivers, this being the Ide (or Hagi) no Tamagawa in Yamashiro. Published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke with date seal 1823. Very fine impression and colour. Very faint centrefold. Signed Toyokuni […]
Katsukawa SHUN’EI (1769-1819)
Click here to view image full size. An aizuri-e fan print: Oji from Edo Hakkei. Apparently an unrecorded print. Very good impression and colour. Several repaired wormholes at bottom, otherwise good condition. Signed Shunei ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. Bust portraits of girls from a set of fan prints with title “A Parody of Six Elegant Selections”, comparing these beauties to inset view of blooms. Fine impression, colour and condition; untrimmed. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. Bust portraits of girls from a set of fan prints with title “A Parody of Six Elegant Selections”, comparing these beauties to inset view of blooms. Fine impression, colour and condition; untrimmed. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. Bust portraits of girls from a set of fan prints with title “A Parody of Six Elegant Selections”, comparing these beauties to inset view of blooms. Fine impression, colour and condition; untrimmed. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. Bust portraits of girls from a set of fan prints with title “A Parody of Six Elegant Selections”, comparing these beauties to inset view of blooms. Fine impression, colour and condition; untrimmed. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga. Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A fan print showing a young girl holding a cat as reflected in a mirror. Of the utmost rarity. Published by Iba-ya Sensaburo. Fine impression, very good colour and condition. Mica on blue ground. Untrimmed. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold