Posts by Richard Kruml:
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An original drawing by Yoshitoshi showing a ghoulish figure rising out of the sea and surprising a fisherman. Sumi on paper. Image size 12.25 x 7.5 inches.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing by Yoshitoshi, probably showing Satsuma troops battling with an imperial soldier on a rearing horse. Sumi on paper. Another drawing au verso of an actor. Size 9.5 x 13 inches. Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing by Yoshitoshi showing an interior with two figures, a sword being presented from one figure to the other. Probably for a picture book or newspaper supplement. Sumi and extensive red underdrawing on paper, image size 5.5 x 6.5 inches. Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing by Yoshitoshi showing an old woman kneeling humbly before two figures. Probably for a picture book or newspaper supplement. Sumi and pentimenti with extensive red underdrawing on paper, image size 6 x 7.75 inches. Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing by Yoshitoshi showing a hanging of two criminals, probably for a picture book or newspaper supplement. Sumi and red underdrawing on paper, image size 6.25 x 8.5 inches. Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing by Yoshitoshi, possibly for the set of 65 prints: Kadai hyakusenso, “Yoshitoshi’s Selection of One Hundred Warriors” published by Ohashi ( Daikyodo ) 1868 – 1869. A vigorous drawing showing a warrior struggling with an opponent in water, waves above. Sumi and red underdrawing […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing by Yoshitoshi, possibly for the set of 65 prints: Kadai hyakusenso, “Yoshitoshi’s Selection of One Hundred Warriors” published by Ohashi ( Daikyodo ) 1868 – 1869. Shows a warrior holding a pole. Sumi and red underdrawing on thin tissue; size 13.5 x 9.75 inches. […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing by Yoshitoshi for the set of 18 prints: Keisai Suikoden, “Biographies of Valiant Drunken Tigers” published by Masadaya 1874. Shows Komagine Hachibei holding a rifle, a downed opponent in the background. Sumi and red underdrawing on thin tissue laid onto a sheet of Japanese […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing by Yoshitoshi for the set of 65 prints: Kaidai hyakusenso, “Yoshitosh’s Selection of One Hundred Warriors” published by Ohashi ( Daikyodo ) 1868 – 1869. Shows Negoro Hamitcha holding a rifle. Sumi and red underdrawing on thin tissue; size 13 x 9.25 inches. Sold […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Original preparatory drawing by Yoshitoshi for the set of 18 prints: Keisai suikoden, “Biographies of Valiant Drunken Tigers” published by Masadaya 1874. Shows Sumoto Sakyo downing an apponent. Sumi and red underdrawing with pentimenti. On thin tissue laid onto a sheet of Japanese paper. Sold together with an […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Original preparatory drawings by Yoshitoshi for the set of 65 prints: Kaidai hyakusenso, “Yoshitoshi’s Selection of One Hundred Warriors” published by Ohashi ( Daikyodo ) 1868-1869. Shows Sakuma Den’nai using a bamboo fence as a shield ( pub. 1869 ). A vigorous sumi drawing on thin tissue with […]
Hishikawa MORONOBU (c 1618–1694)
Click here to view image full size. A superb and important book by an unrivalled illustrator in depicting street life and views of the Yoshiwara and the theatre. One volume complete, Tsukinami no asobi, “Months in the Eastern [ Edo] Capital.” One page preface and 19 double page illustrations plus one page colophon. Shows the […]
Kawamura BUMPO (1779-1821)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete Kimpaen gafu “A Book of Paintings by Kimpaen [ Bumpo ].” Published Bunsei 3, 1820, by Hishiya Magobei. Bumpo’s major book of kacho-e. The better impressions ( as here ) do best justice to what Jack Hillier called the “boneless” technique ( without outline ). […]
Nishimura NANTEI (1775-1834)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete Nantei gafu kohen, “A Book of Drawings by Nantei, Second Part.” Also published as Jimbutsu gafu. Published by Bunchodo ( Yoshida Shimbei ), Bunsei 9 ( 1826 ), the preface dated Bunsei 6 ( 1823 ). Fine designs of everyday life in the Kyoto area. […]
Various SHIJO ARTISTS (Compiler Bunshodo Fuji Mokyo)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete Keijo Gaen, “An Album of Pictures by Kyoto Artists.” One of the finest of the Shijo anthologies. Published by Yoshida Shimbei, Bunka 9 ( 1812 ). The colophon dated Bunka 11 ( 1814 ). Twenty-six double-page illustrations by Goshun, Soken, Roshu, Hironari, Toyohiko, Shiba Kokan, […]
Yamaguchi SOKEN (1759–1834)
Click here to view image full size. Yamato jimbutsu gafu, “An Album of Japanese Figure Drawings.” Three volumes, first series, bound as one, complete. One of the great Maruyama/Shijo ehon showing 105pp of sumizuri-e scenes from daily life in Kyoto. The compositions owe as much to what is left out as what is present with […]
Hosoda EISHI (1756–1829) and Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760–1849)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete Nishikizuri onna sanjurokkasen, “The Thirty-Six Women Poets in Brocade Prints” published by Eijudo Nishimuraya Yohachi and dated on last postscript Kansei 9 hinoto mi “Kansei 9 [ 1797 ] mid-Winter” and stating that the calligraphy was written by thirty-six young girls, none over the age […]
Nakamura HOCHU (Fl. late 18th to early 19th c.)
Click here to view image full size. The rarest of rare books: Korin gafu, “An Album of Pictures by Korin.” The first of the major Rimpa books and “… must be numbered among the most exceptional picture-books in the world.” ( Hillier, The Art of the Japanese Book, volume two, p. 657.) The illustrations copied […]
Ikeno TAIGA (1723–1776)
Click here to view image full size. An important shunga book Daito keigo. One volume complete with preface and nine double page illustrations. This actual copy is discussed by Jack Hillier, The Art of the Japanese Book, Sothebys, 1987, volume two, pages 908-909, and illustrations ( from this copy ) nos 606 and 607. The […]
Sakai HOITSU (1761-1828)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete of Oson gafu, “The Drawing Book of Oson.” ( This being one of the artist’s names taken from the village Uguisu-mura where he lived in retirement. ) Original yellow covers with karazuri decoration. Dated Hinoe ne ( 1816 ) but an early and very careful […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Two volumes complete: Toto shokei ichiran ( alternative title: Toto meisho ichiran ), “Fine Views of the Eastern Capital at a Glance.” The first of three important works showing the sights of Edo in colour prints. ( See this website for examples of the other two. ) Published […]
Ki BAITEI (1774-1810)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete: Kyuro gafu, “Kyuro’s Picture Album.” ( Kyuro was one of the art-names of Baitei, a Nanga painter in the Buson manner. ) The first edition of this book is in two volumes with haiku, c 1795. However, there is some confusion on the other issues: […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete: Shuga ichiran, “Excellent Paintings at a Glance.” One of Hokusai’s most undervalued books but at the same time one of his best documented. ( See Hokusa’s Shuga Ichiran, An annotated description of Hokusai’s Shuga Ichiran by C. Ouwehand, Heinz Kaempfer Fund, 1991. Based on the […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete: Denshin kaishu-ippitsu gafu, “Drawing Manual – Album of Drawing with one Stroke of the Brush.” Similar to the ryakuga style which was pioneered by Masayoshi. One of the best known and most influential of Hokusai’s books and one which was reprinted and copied many times. […]
Yashima GAKUTEI (Fl. c 1786-1868)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete: Ichiro gafu, “Ichiro’s [ Gakutei’s ] Picture album.” The prints were first issued in a private two volume publication with kyoka poems ( c 1820 ). Published by Gasendo, Edo, 1823. Original dark brown covers with burnished pattern. Original blue title slip. A nice early […]
Oishi MATORA (1794-1833)
Click here to view image full size. Two large volumes complete: Soga kokufu, “Sketches of National Customs.” A rare work with wonderful images which Vignier, in Odin, described as “Tirage d’une delicatessen remarquable.” Published by Yoshinoye Nimbei, Kyoto; Tsuruya Kiemon, Edo; Kawachiya Kihei and Kawachiya Kichibei, Osaka, 1828. Original creped and printed covers with original […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Three volumes complete: Kyoka yama-mata-yama, “Kyoka: Range Upon Range of Mountains.” The fanciful title is based on the fact that the views illustrated are located around Yama-no-te, the higher ground situated in the north and north-western part of Edo. The pictures accompanied by kyoka poems. This is one […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A fine example of the first edition, the “Falcon’s Feather”, of volume one of the Fugaku hyakkei, the “Hundred Views of Mount Fuji.” ( So-called because the title slip is printed in blue with a decorative design of a falcon’s feather – missing on later editions. ) The […]
Takehara SHUNCHOSAI (Fl. c 1772-1801)
Click here to view image full size. An original wood block for printing four pages for one of his books of famous places published in the 1780s and 1790s. Shows Yamashira Village. Shunchosai, of Osaka, was one of the leading topographical illustrators. Original pictorial blocks as opposed to pure calligraphy are rare. Interestingly, some of […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete: Shinkoku hyakushoden, “New Edition of the Lives of a Hundred Generals.” N.d. ( but 1848 ). Five double pages of colour illustrations and one hundred b.&w. illustrations of generals. Three page preface signed Kuniyoshi ga. The Pulverer copy ( illustrated, no.253, p.222, Heroes & Ghosts, […]
Aoigaoka HOKKEI (1780-1850)
Click here to view image full size. One volume, black & white, Kyoka suikoden shu, “Picture Book of the Water Margins with Kyoka Poems”. Presumably this is based on the 1829 Kyoka suikoden gazo shu . There were a number of variant editions after it. Original covers and title slip. Slight wormage, otherwise good condition. […]
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
Click here to view image full size. 3 volume complete : Ehon yachiyogusa, “The Plant of Eight Thousand Ages”. Sumi images illustrating old poems with the Sumida River as a central theme. Published Meiwa 5, 1768 by Yamazaki Kinbei. Original covers but later title slips. One page with sumi marks, otherwise good impressions and condition. […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Volume 1 only of Ehon Sumidagawa ryogan ichiran, “Panoramic Views Along the Bank of the Sumida River”. Published by Senkakudo c1805/6. Minor marks and wormage, otherwise a fine copy, with perfect colour, of the first edition. Original covers and title slip. Status: Sold Click here to view image […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. Ehon kukuri-zome, “Tie-Dyed Work”. Two volumes complete. Original covers and one title slip. Published by Izumiya Ichibei, 1794. Shows bijin at famous spots around Edo. Some backed wormage on vol. 2 and some damage to covers, but otherwise good condition with exceptional, pristine colour. Extremely rare. Ex Haviland […]
Kitao MASAYOSHI (1764-1824)
Click here to view image full size. Choju Ryakugashiki, “Simplified Forms of Drawing Birds and Animals”. Published by Suharaya Ichibei, Kwansei 9 ( 1797 ). One volume complete. First edition. Original covers and title slip. Beautiful condition with perfect colour: The best copy of one of these “simplified” books of Masayoshi’s I have seen. Ex […]
Kitao SHIGEMASA (1739-1820) and Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
Click here to view image full size. Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami, Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Green Houses, published by Tsutaya Juzaburo, Anei 5, 1776. Complete in three volumes divided into Spring and Summer in volume 1 and Autumn and Winter in volume 2. Considered to be one of the great “choice” colour […]
Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)
Click here to view image full size. Other examples are known with alternative titles which appear to be slightly later. The sequence of the illustrations varies from copy to copy. Of the utmost rarity there appearing to be around thirteen extant copies and considered to be one of the great Japanese illustrated books. Original covers […]
Utagawa TOYOHIRO (1773-1828)
Click here to view image full size. Two volumes complete of the excessively rare book: Ehon Azuma Warawa, “Picture Book: Children of the East”. Shows popular life in Edo during the 12 months and every image is a success. Published by Izumiya Ichibei, Bunkwa 1, 1804. There appear to be only a few complete copies […]
Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)
Click here to view image full size. A beauty being aided by her assistant to dress her hair. Published by Wakasaya Yoichi, c 1803-4. Fine impression. Very well retained colour. Minor marks and soil, but otherwise very good condition. On thick hosho. Signed Utamaro fude. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Oishi from a set Kenyu fujo kagami, “A Mirror of Wise and Courageous Women.” She evidently was famous for having used her strength to deliver irrigation water into her own fields. Published c 1843-45 by Takahashiya. Very fine impression. Fine colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed […]