Posts by Richard Kruml:
Kitao MASANOBU (1761-1816)
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Shows a couple caught in a downpour, the man shielding his companion with an umbrella. They are on the shore of Lake Biwa, northeast of Kyoto. In the distance can be seen the famous ancient pine tree in the grounds of the Karasaki Shrine. An unsigned (few of Masanobu’s prints are signed or have publisher’s seals) chuban set Furyu Omi hakkei, “Fashionable Eight Views of Omi,” this being night rain at Karasaki. Wrote under the name Santo Kyoden. Was also a painter, and illustrator of his own novels while owning a tobacco accessory shop. Published c. 1783. Rare.
Fine impression and colour. Small backing paper at top two corners, otherwise fine condition.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOHIRO (1773-1828)
Click here to view image full size. An oban print with title: Ryukyujin no zu, “Pictures of People from Ryukyu.” (A chain of Japanese islands stretching southwest from Kyushu to Taiwan.) The Ryukyuans had a specific culture, one element of which was to select young boys (gakudoji) from the upper classes of the capital to […]
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. The first sheet from one of Eizan’s most famous triptychs: Furyu yusuzumi san bijin, “Three Fashionable Beauties Cooling Off in the Evening.” Shows a teahouse waitress seated outside her establishment with silhouettes of customers showing on the shoji screen. Published by Yamadaya Shobei, c. 1814-17. Fine […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing three women washing clothes in a stream from a set Six Tama [Jewel or Crystal] Rivers, this being the Chofu Crystal River (in fact the Tamagawa that flowed into Edo Bay). Musashi no kuni Chofu no Tamagawa. The set published by Sanoya Kihei, c 1847. […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. Four koban surimono-style prints from a set Hyakunin bijo, “One Hundred Beauties.” No publisher’s seal but published by Mikawaya Seiemon (who specialised in these prints), c late 1820s. Kunisada designed a number of such sets in this format. Fine impressions, colour and condition. Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Three koban surimono-style prints from a set Imayo sanjurokkasen, “Thirty-six Selected Pictures.” Published c late 1820s. Fine impressions, colour and condition. Status: Sold
Kubo SHUNMAN (1757-1820)
Click here to view image full size. Mishima, or Toi, Province of Settsu. The best desigm from an exquisite set of six prints showing graceful young women, girls and, in two instances, young men representing the Six Crystal (Tama) Rivers. These streams were noted for the purity of their water. The prints are in benigirai […]
Kubo SHUNMAN (1757-1820)
Click here to view image full size. Chobu, Province of Musashi from an exquisite set of six prints showing graceful young women, girls and, in two instances, young men representing the Six Crystal (Tama) Rivers. These streams were noted for the purity of their water. The prints are in benigirai style, “red avoiding,” a technique […]
Kitagawa UTAMARO (1754-1806)
Click here to view image full size. The courtesan Hitomoto of the Daimonjiya House, Daimonjiya uchi Hitomoto from a set Yukun gosekku, “Courtesans for the Five Festivals.” She stands beside a clothes rack with an elaborate costume patterned with a suite of armour (probably indicating the Boys’ Festival, 5th day of the 5th month), Published […]
Kitao MASANOBU (Santo KYODEN) (1761-1816)
Click here to view image full size. One double-oban design from the most sumptuous album ever produced: Yoshiwara keisei: Shin bijin awase jihitsu kagami, “A Mirror of New Yoshiwara Courtesans with Samples of Their Calligraphy.” Published by Tsutaya Juzaburo, 1784. Shows courtesans viewing calligraphic scrolls. Seven double-oban designs were published in album form, although the […]
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
Click here to view image full size. A large benizuri-e oban (16.75 x 12 in) showing a pair of lovers in the guise of komuso (medicant monks). They walk in high geta and have a black monk’s stole draped around their shoulders. They are playing the classic komuso tune renbo nagashi on their shakuhachi. He […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych from a series Imayo mitate shi-no-ko-sho, “An Up-to-Date Parody of the Four Classes.” Here: Shokunin, “Artisans.” Shows the whole process of print production, albeit in reality women did not do this work. Published by Uoya Eikichi, 8/1857. A must for any serious collection of Japanese prints. […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing three courtesans from the Tamaya House: On first sheet Koyuki playing the kokyu; on the second Hanamurasaki playing the koto; and on the third Hanakazura playing the shamisen. Published c 1830. Fine impression with excellent colour. Some expert edge restoration, otherwise very good condition with […]
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych Furyu onna ryoushi, “Fashionable Fishing Women.” Shows beauties on the seashore collecting fish and loading them onto a boat for market. In the background, fishermen with nets. Published by Iwatoya Kisaburo (Eirindo), c 1817. The Japanese love seafood and, being surrounded by water, there is an […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. Furyu rokkasen, “Fashionable Six Poets.” One sheet from a set of three that can be viewed separately or as a triptych. Shows the famous Heian period waka poets Ono no Komachi and Ariwara no Narihira together with an attendant. Two famous poems by them above in gold clouds, […]
Hosoda EISHI (1756-1829)
Click here to view image full size. A parading courtesan, Senzan of the Choji-ya house, with her two kamuro, Isieji and Hanaji. From a set of seven prints Seiro moyo awase, “A Comparison of Patterns of the Green houses.” Published by Eijudo, 1796-7. The title on a teacup. A luxurious yellow ground. See Klaus J. […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Omoshiro-so: Bunsei nenkan okujochu no fuzoku, “Looking Amused: The Appearance of a High-ranking Maid in the Bunsei Era” ( 1818 – 1830 ). From the set: Thirty-two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888. Shows a maid to the concubine of a daimyo looking over a balcony. […]
Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing a bride changing into her going-away dress, Konrei iro-naoshi no zu. There is another triptych of the actual wedding ceremony which can be viewed with this to form a hexaptych design, Sanmai-tsuzuki. Published by Maruya Bunemon, 1804. Other impressions in Shibui, Ukiyo-e zuten, Utamaro, 1964, […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. A very fine portrait of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VI in kumadori make-up and assuming an aragoto stance. The quality, date, style and publisher are the same as for his finest set of Portraits of Actors on Stage published 1794 – 6 although this design appears not to […]
Torii KIYONAGA (1752–1815)
Click here to view image full size. A fine actor design from a series of at least 31 such degatari prints ( showing singing or chanting at a theatre ). A scene from Shosa Hatsuhige yakko tanzen, played at the Ichimura-za theatre, November 1783. Shows Nakamura Nakazo as Tanzen seated with fan looking at Onoe […]
Katsukawa SHUN’EI (1762-1819)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare yellow-ground aiban showing the actor Sawamura Sojuro III in the role of Nagoya Sanza in the play Keisei sanbon karakasa performed at the Miyako-za, 7/1794. In fact Shun’ei designed another print of the same actor and role, see the Walter Amstutz collection, Sothebys, 1991, lot […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Iwai Hanshiro IV as the wet nurse Masaoka and Sawamura Tozo as the evil serving lady Yashio in the play Omiura date nebiki performed at the Nakamura-za, 2/1799. Published by Eijudo. Light grey ground. Fine impression, and condition. Perfect colour and completely untrimmed. Signed Toyokuni ga. Status: […]
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 […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. A beauty standing beside a circular window with wisteria and a swallow, both symbols of spring. From an aizuri-e set Tosei gonin bijo, “Fine Modern Beauties.” Published by Maruya Seijiro, c 1830-5. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Gosotei Toyokuni ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. An aizuri-e (blue print) showing the courtesan Hanaogi of the Ogi-ya House parading with her two kamuro. Published c 1840 by Enomotoya Kichibei. See my blog. Very good impression, colour and condition. (With only the hint of red on the lips.) Signed Gototei Kunisada ga. Status: Sold […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. One of Hiroshige’s most beautiful triptychs: Sumidagawa setchu no zu,“The Sumida River in Snow” from a series Edo meisho shiki no nagame, “Views of the Famous Places of Edo in the Four Seasons.” Shows a ferry landing on the Sumida with a beauty disembarking from a boat and […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A complete triptych showing beauties in boats on the Sumida River. Shubi no matsu, “Successful-deal Pine Tree” from a set Edo meisho somoku-zukushi, “Notable Sights Famous for Grass and Trees in Edo.” This famous pine was blown down during the An’ei era (1772-1780); its successor died during the […]
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 […]
Kochoro KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An original wood block showing actors as Kuzunoha and Abe no Yasuna. Kuzunoha was the fox wife of Yasuna and is usually depicted nursing her child or appearing as a white fox giving Yasuna the key to her disappearance in a dream. Au verso is an uninteresting design […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. A silver mica-ground double bust portrait of Hikosaburo Bando III as Kan Shojo ( Sugawara Michizane ) disgraced and sent to Tsukushi, and Kataoka Nizaemon VII as Hakudayu from the play Sugawara denju tenarai kagami, “Sugawara’s Secrets of Calligraphy.” The play was written for the puppet theatre in […]
Kochoro KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely important original wood block. Shows the onnagata actor Onoe Kikugoro IV as the chinohito, ‘wet-nurse,’ Masaoka, in the play ‘Konoshita Masagono Date-zome,’ performed at the Ichimura Theatre, 9/1855. Designed for the late, fine set of deluxe bust portaits published by Ebisuya Shoshichi ( except two ) […]
Kochoro KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A fine view of the inside of a theatre with a performance taking place. The faces of the audience in the stalls are carefully drawn and it’s obvious that many were meant to be recognised. Published by Noshuya Yasubei, 1858. Rare. Fine impression and colour. Offsetting on last […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing Onoe Kikugoro V as Nikki Danjo transforming himself by majic into a rat. In his mouth the stolen will with which he was trying to strip Tsuru-chiyo of his inheritance. Title of play: Meibuku Sendai hagi, “The Disputed Succession.” Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 1887. […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych depicting the story of the Inaba Apprentice. Title: Inaba ama-yobanashi. Shows Onoe Kikugoro V as the ghost of Saijiro; Bando Kakitsu as Kanbara Mikinosuke and Onoe Matsukuke as Nakama Gonbee. Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 1887. Extremely rare. Fine impression and colour. Hand-applied pigment to the […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing the actor Onoe Kikugoro V, dagger in hand and covered in blood, confronting a giant serpent. Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 1887. Extremely rare. Fine impression and colour. Extensive mica applied to the serpent. Retains original album backing. Signed Oju Toyohara Kunichika hitsu. Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing the actors Ichikawa Danjuro as the teacher Kondo Tatsuo and Ichikawa Sadanji as Mikura Tomizo. Title: Kishu no oki kisen chinbotsu no ba, “ Sunken Ship in the Sea off Kishu Province.” Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, Meiji 20, 11th month ( 1887 ). Fine […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. An aiban bust portrait showing Iwai Hanshiro IV in an onnagata role. Published by Yamaguchi Chusuke c 1794. Another aiban okubi-e of the same actor in another onnagata role and of the same date was published by Tsuruya Kiemon. A rare and fine design. Fine impression. Very good […]