Posts by Richard Kruml:
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797 – 1858)
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Taira no Kiyomori haunted by visions: As he was dying Kiyomori believed he saw hundreds of skulls in his snow-covered garden and feared them to be the remains of his victims killed during his rise to power. Published by Ibaya Kyubei c 1845. The best musha-e by Hiroshige.
Fine impression, colour and condirtion. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Benkei and a leaping magic fox in the snow from a rare set; “Sixteen Stories of Musashi-bo Benkei”. Published by Joshu-ya Kinzo and Daikoku-ya Heikichi c 1848-50. Robinson S68.5 Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. The fight on Gojo Bridge showing Yoshitsune with open fan and Benkei behind. From the set: “Biography of Yoshitsune” published by Iba-ya Kyubei c 1848-53. Robinson S65.10. Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. The flight of Tokiwa-gozen through the snow with her three children, Imawaka, Otowaka, and Ushiwaka. From the set: “Biography of Yoshitsune” published by Iba-ya Kyubei c 1848-53. Robinson S65.1. Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. The poet Dainagon Tsunenobu ( 1016-97 ) visited by a ghost reciting a Chinese poem by Hakuraten from the set “One Hundred Poems for One Hundred Poets”. The uncompleted set published by Ebine c 1840-42. Robinson S19.71 Very good impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. The highly skilled archer Yorimasa shooting the Nue. This event took place in 1153 when the young Emperor Konoe was suffering from sleep deprivation brought on by hideous shrieks emanating from the roof of the Shishinden Palace. Yorimasa successfully killed the beast ( a composite animal as big […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Tametomo sinking the foremost ship of Mochimitsu’s fleet with a single arrow. The islanders look on in amazement. Published 1844. Robinson T140. Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Vertical diptych showing Watanabe no Ttsuna cutting off the arm of the demon Ibaraki at the Rashomon Gate, Kyoto. Published by Matsui 1888 ( Meiji 21 ). Superb impression, colour and condition of the first edition. All the vertical designs were published by Matsui and many were republished […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Vertical diptych showing Taira no Atsumori and Kumagai Naozane at the Battle of Ichinotani ( 1184 ). Published by Matsui 1885 ( Meiji 18 ). Superb impression and colour and, apart from slight offsetting, fine condition. The first edition ( indeed this may be the earliest state of […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Vertical diptych showing Taira no Koremochi about to kill the female demon on Mt. Togakushi in Shinano. The episode follows maple viewing when Koremochi fell asleep. The No play Momijigari “Maple Picnic” is based on this story. Published by Matsui Meiji 20 ( 1887 ). Superb impression and […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Vertical diptych showing Hakamadare Yasuke and Kidomaru fighting with magic. Kidomaru ( below, cross-legged ) holds two wrapped pine branches in his mouth as a spell. Yasuke and Kidomaru are generally considered to be the same person, so why they are depicted here as two individuals is not […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Station 41, Kuwana, from the Tokaido gojusan tsui, Robinson 42. The apparition of the Sea-Monk looming above the sea-captain. The best design from the set. Illustrated in Robinson, pl 49. Published c1845 by Kojima. Fine, early impression with perfect bokashi on the ghost. Fine colour. Slight centre fold, […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. The complete set ( two showing ) of 12 prints, tipped-in to a Japanese album, of the set “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Suikoden”. Second edition published by Ibaya Sensaburo c 1845. Very rare complete. Robinson, Kuniyoshi ( 1982 ) S3. Good to very good impressions. […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing Tawara Toda Hidesato riding a giant turtle and escorted by a multitude of fish, crabs, lobsters and octopuses. He is being led away from the Palace of the Dragon King, who he has helped by killing, with an arrow, the terrible centipede, Mukade. The Dragon […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Tokiwa Gozen taking flight from the village of Ryumon into the snowy Yoshino mountains. She flees with her three children. From the set: Kenjo reppuden, “Stories of Wise and Virtuous Women”. Published by Ibaya Sensaburo c1841-2. First state with bokashi above. The best design from the set and […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Ono no Komachi ( one of the Six Poets ) praying for rain. Title label reads: Ama koi Komachi. This is one of various presentments of Komachi’s known as the Seven Komachi. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon ( the same publisher as for the Suikoden ), c1837. A […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Chusenko Teitokuson raises his sword with both hands in order to plunge it into the head of a giant snake. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. A heavily muscled and tattooed Roshi Ensei, one foot on the head of an adversary, lifts a huge beam. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. On a river bank a heavily tattooed Senkaji Choo is about to slay the enemy general Hotentei. Above him a supernatural flame plays over the rushing water. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A night scene with Kojoso Jisen leaning down from a tree and shining a large lantern over a wall. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. A heavily tattooed Konkoryu Rishun heaves an adversary over his shoulders into a boat while floating in the sea. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Rurihakucho Chojun, half-naked and tattooed with a sword between his teeth, forces apart the bars of a water-gate. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series. […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Two foes grappling underwater – possibly Tammeijiro Genshogo and an armoured foeman. From a series ( ? ) enigmatically titled Tosei nama ningyo, “Living Dolls in Modern Days”. Perhaps these are quite literally dolls. Published by Hori Takichi, Dragon 2 ( 1856 ). Not recorded by Robinson. Fine […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. The Monkey battles Kinkaku Daio on a sea cliff from Tsuzoku saiyuki. Published by Fukura 2/1865. A rare set. Very good impression and colour. Untrimmed with green border intact. Minor marks, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807 – 1873)
Click here to view image full size. The battle at Rokuhara in the Taihei war chronicles: Kasunoki Masashige and Ashikaga Takauji who wheeled his troops round on Rokuhara the Hojo headquarters defending Kyoto. Published 1859. Superb impression, colour and condition. Signed Sadahide ga and Gountei Sadahide ga. Status: Sold
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (active mid-19th century)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych with title: Ryozoku shinzan yojutsu kurabe no zu, “A Picture of the Two Enemies in a Witchcraft Match in the Deep Mountain”. Shows Hakamadare Yasusuke and Kidomaru fighting with magic. Yoshitoshi designed a vertical diptych of the same subject in 1887. Published 1860 by Tsutaya Kichizo. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Makibashira. Sagi-no-ike Heikuro wrestling a giant python in the mountains from the set: Japanese and Chinese Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji. Robinson S88.31. Published by Ise-Yoshi, 1855-56. One of Kuniyoshi’s finest designs. Very fine impression of the first edition. Mica on the python. Perfect colour. Margins slightly […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. A fireman from the set: Ohoono daiku matoi, A Mirror of Fireman’s Standards in Each of the Precincts of Tokyo. Probably a set of 10 prints published by Okura Magobei, 10/1876. It is not known why this set is so rare, given that firemen were widely admired and […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. A rare triptych showing the fight between Ushiwaka Maru ( Yoshitsune ) and Benkei on Gojo Bridge in 1170. One of Kuniyshi’s finest designs. Published by Fujioka-ya Hikotaro c 1840. Very good impression: First edition with the strong gradation on the wooden pillars of the bridge. Very good […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Takeda Sama-no-suke Nobushige from the set Koetsu yusho den “ Stories of Courageous Warriors from the Koetsu Region”. Shows Nobushige enveloped in a cloud of battle smoke. One of the two best designs from the set. Published by Sumiyoshi-ya Masagoro c1848-9. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. A diptych showing Urashima Taro returning home from the palace of the Dragon King from the set Yoshitoshi manga, “Sketches by Yoshitoshi”. Published by Kobayashi, Meiji 19 ( 1/1886 ). First edition. ( It was republished by Hasegawa 1887.) Very good impression and colour with margin for joining. […]
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU (FI. 1850 – 1870)
Click here to view image full size. An underwater fight between Saito Toshimoto and Raido Shukakuyoku. The best design from the set Buyu kumiuchi tsukushi published by Maruya Jimpachi 1862. Very good impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good. Signed Ichikawa Yoshikazu ga. Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831 – 1889)
Click here to view image full size. Shoki the demon quellor. A wonderful image of this famous subject printed almost entirely in red, Extremely rare. Fine impression: the surface of the paper lightly blind-printed. Fine colour. The bottom edge with light soil and slightly deckled, otherwise fine. Full size. Signed Shoshuosai Toilku ga with seal. […]
Utagawa YOSHIFUJI (1828 – 1887)
Click here to view image full size. The head of the cat-witch of Okabe from the Fifty-Three Stations. The head is composed of convoluted cats’ bodies; the eyes being two bells and the mouth a thick ribbon as worn by cats. The print was published circa 1847 by (appropriately) Kita. Excessively rare and a great […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Umegaya, Kajiwara Genda Kagesuye fighting at Ikuta-no-mori from the set Buyu nazoraye Genji, “Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji”, published by Iba-ya Sensaburo, c.1843. Robinson S28.32. O-tanzako format. Very good impression and colour. Slightly trimmed top and bottom. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Nakamura Kansuke Masatatsu warding off a brazier of hot ashes from the set Seicho gishi shozo, “Portraits of the Faithful Samurai of True Loyalty”. Robinson S78.6. Published 1853 by Sumiyoshi-ya Masagoro. The set characterised by strong westernised effects. Very good impression and colour. Extensive sprayed pigment to simulate […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831 – 1889)
Click here to view image full size. Shoki riding a tiger and attacking a group of demons. “May” from a series of Twelve Months. Published by Fukuda Kumajuro Meiji 20 (1887). Fine impression and colour. Minor sumi spots, otherwise very good condition. (This design is often trimmed for albums and does not match.) Signed Shojo […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Triptych showing the Taira ghosts attacking Yoshitsune’s ship amid huge waves. One of Kuniyoshi’s favourite subjects and an extremely fine and rare design. Published c.1850. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Hatsuhana doing penance under the Tonozawa Waterfall fulfilling a vow made on behalf of our sick husband. The best design from Stories of Wise and Virtuous Women. Published c.1842 by Ibaya Sensaburo. Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming at bottom and small repaired wormholes at edge, otherwise very […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Fuse-hime saving the child Masashi from a thunderbolt from “Eight Hundred Heroes of our Country’s Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c.1836. Robinson S4c.3. Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold