Posts by Richard Kruml:
SESSHUNSAI (Dates unknown but active c 1800)
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An extremely rare early Osaka hosoban showing the actor Asao Tamejuro II (1779-1806) standing before a broken barricade in the role of Yamashiro Kantsubo in the play Meiboku sendai hagi. This artist and print appear to be unrecorded. Published by Houki (Honya Kichisai), c early 1800. A wonderful design. Many thanks to Hendrick Luhl for his help on this print.
Very good impression and colour. The fujitive background aobana, dayflower pigment, intact except for one small area affected by moisture visible au verso. Very good condition. Signed Sesshunsai ga with seal unread.
Status: Sold
Jokei RYUKOSAI (Fl. c 1772-1816)
Click here to view image full size. The most important and influential Osaka artist of the late eighteenth century. An innovator whose style may well have influenced such artists as Shunei and Sharaku. His prints – mostly hosoban – are all of the utmost rarity. Indeed, it is thought they originally formed triptychs but, so […]
Jokei RYUKOSAI (Fl. c 1772-1816)
Click here to view image full size. The most important and influential Osaka artist of the late eighteenth century. An innovator whose style may well have influenced such artists as Shunei and Sharaku. His prints – mostly hosoban – are all of the utmost rarity. Indeed, it is thought, as here, that they originally formed […]
TOGAKUSAI (Active c 1782)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare and early Osaka hosoban (probably unrecorded) showing the actor Kano Hinasuke I (who later became Arashi Koroku III) standing on large geta and holding an umbrella. Published by Shioki-han (Shioya Kisuke), c 1782. The poem above is signed using the actor’s hango Arashi Minshi. Only […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. An exceptionally rare original double-sided woodblock. On one side is the key-block showing Ichikawa Danjuro VII as the strongman, “chikaramochi,” Ura no Kingo. On the other is the key-block showing Iwai Kumesaburo II as the female acrobat, “karuwazashi,” Tamamoto Kosan. The play is Fujikawabune noriai banashi performed at […]
Okumura MASANOBU (1686 – 1764)
Click here to view image full size. A hosoban showing the fight between Ushiwaka Maru ( Yoshitsune ) and Benkei on Gojo Bridge ( 1170 ). Arguably the most influential figure in ukiyoe, reputedly being the innovator of colour printing. An urushi-e, coloured by hand in yellow, tan, lilac, gofun and heavy sumi over embossed […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Saito Toshimoto and a Chinese general struggling underwater. The second best design from Taiheiki yeiyu den, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki.” Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi, 1848-9. Robinson S62.31. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Sasai Kyuzo Masayasu enveloped in smoke and avoiding musketry at the battle of Anegawa ( 1570 ). The best design from Taiheiki yeiyu den, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki.” Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi, 1848-9. Robinson S62.36. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. The battle of Miidera Temple. An early triptych, c. 1820-25. The temple became very prosperous but was at constant war with its rival, the Hieizan. Both temples kept armies of mercenaries. Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi. A later edition is illustrated in Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Exhibition to Commemorate the 200th […]
Torii KIYONAGA (1752 – 1815)
Click here to view image full size. A chubby red Kintaro acting as an umpire for two battling tengu. Other tengu in baskets behind him and at his side a bear also watches. These tengu – winged, beaked and clawed creatures – lived in the mountains and forests. It is narrated that as a toddler […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Takatsuna’s greatest exploit: Shown here ( centre ) swimming with his horse across the swollen Uji River to attack Kiso no Yoshinaka. His rival Kagesuye ( left ) and Shigetada further off to the right. Published by Yenshu-ya Hikobei 1849. A wonderful design. Robinson T217. Superb impression. Very […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the young warrior said to be as strong as an ox Sen-Kanja Usjiwaka Saburo Yoshitora. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ). Fine impression and colour. Very good […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Ake Tamanosuke, a famous rider and archer with a wooden statue of his mentor Kansho behind him. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ). Fine impression and colour […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the boisterous Koo-maru, also known as “Hyonosuke” the Leopard Kid. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ). Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu. […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Rokugi Suginosuke Norifusa, a robber-chief and magician, also known as Tengu-jiro as he could fly like the tengus. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ). Fine impression and […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Akashi Shiganosuke, the notoriously strong Yokozuma sumo-fighter, holding an opponent at bay with one hand. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ). Fine impression and colour. Very good […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Oshima Tanzo, a member of the robber-chief Shindo Kajiro Nobuyuki’s tribe. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ). Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the robber-chief Shindo Kojiro Nobuyuki being asked by the monkey spirit of Shinohaza to avenge his murder by Inaba Taro. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ). Fine […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Kinezumi Konoshi Kaiden, the muscular monk, killing a monstrous wild cat that had tormented a village. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ). Fine impression and colour. Very […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Sangoku Taro who travelled through India and China learning conjuring tricks. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ). Fine impression and colour with mica ground. Very good condition. […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Satami Jirotaro Yoshishige collecting the head of his adversary Awa Katsegura that his faithful dog has retrieved. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7. Fine impression and colour with gauffrage on the dog […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. The best design from the set Tsuki hyakushi, the “Hundred Phases of the Moon”. The set published between 1885 and 1892 ( this being 1886 ) by Akiyama Buemon. Shows Benkei, at the prow of the ship holding Yoshitsune, attempting to pacify the ghosts of the Taira warriors […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. The monkey battles Kinkaku Daio on a sea cliff from the rare set of eight prints: Tsuzoku Saiyuki, “A Modern Journey to the West.” Based on Wu Cheng’en’s ( 1500-1582 ) most famous novel, Journey to the West, which was translated and condensed by Arthur Waley and entitled […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769 – 1825)
Click here to view image full size. A complete diptych showing Kagekiyo and Mihonoya no Shiro battling. This is an episode from the beginning of Chapter 5, “The Dropped Bow” in book 11 of the Heike Monogatari, “ Tales of the Heike.” This episode, which took place in 1184, has the Genji warrior Mihonoya no […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Lu Ta ( Lu Chi Shen ) demolishing the gate of the temple of the Five-Crested Mountain. A Chinese captain, he accidentally killed a man and to escape death he became a priest at the temple. The abbot cut his hair and renamed him Lu Chi Shen, “Lu […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Sakata Kintoki asleep in Raiko’s chamber preparing to rid him of the monstrous spider. From Yoshitoshi manga, “Sketches by Yoshitoshi.” A fine set of seven diptychs published by Kobayashi 1885-86 ( this being 1886 ). Very fine impression of the first edition; the spider’s web printed in silver […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Murai Choan murders his brother at the crossroads of Fudanotsuji from Shinsen azuma nishiki-e, “New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures.” Published 1885-9 by Tsunashima. Choan is a character in a Kabuki drama but there is no mention of him killing his brother – artistic license. Very fine impression […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. A fine and very rare vertical triptych of Mongaku ( Endo Morito, c. 1120 – 1200 ) subjecting himself to three years penance as a Buddhist monk beneath the waterfall of Mount Nachi in Kii Province. Morito inflicted this punishment on himself because he had inadvertently cut off […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1832 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Uesugi no Terutora, best known as Kenshin, riding into battle through clouds of smoke from the set Yoshitoshi musha burui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” He is best known for his long standing conflict with Takeda Shingen. For a time the two champions met every year, the campaigns always […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. The otokodate Goshaku Somegoro playing a bamboo flute ( shakuhachi ) from Kuniyoshi moyo shofuda tsuketari genkin otoko, ” Typical Types of Manly Fellows in Kuniyoshi’s Style.” A fine set of portraits of chivalrous commoners published by Ibaya Kyubei, 1845. This is the actual impression illustrated in Heroes […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. A fine and rare print showing the diving girl escaping with the Dragon King’s jewel. There were a number of prints designed by Kuniyoshi of this subject which lends itself to fine compositions. She is being chased by the Dragon, fish and octopuses. Published 1844 by Tsutaya. The […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Wakashima Gonemon diving into a whirlpool to retrieve the ancient dragon-headed bell; it’s position indicated by two beams of light. The water god was unwilling to part with the bell. The finest design from Azuma no nishiki ukiyo kodan, published by Masudaya 1867/11. Second edition without kiri seal. […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. The old hag of Adachi Moor. A gruesome tale of a high-ranking woman who kills young children to supply their blood to the local lord who suffers from an unknown disease. She is usually shown in a gourd vine-clad hut wielding a large knife. This design shows the […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1832 – 1892 )
Click here to view image full size. Lady Yodo, Yodo no Kimi, from the fine set Ikkai zuihitsu, “Essays by Yoshitoshi.” Lady Yodo ( 1567 – 1615 ) , the concubine of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, was installed at Yodo castle to the south of Kyoto. She bore him a son, Hideyori, in 1598 but the same […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1832 – 1892 )
Click here to view image full size. Kiyohime from the fine set Wakan hyaku monogatari. “One Hundred Ghost Stories of China and Japan.” This famous story set in A.D.928 tells of unrequited love. It inspired a number of Kabuki and No plays and relates how Kiyohime’s love for the monk Anchin, who lived in the […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1832 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Uesugi no Terutora, best known as Kenshin, riding into battle through clouds of smoke from the set Yoshitoshi musha burui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” He is best known for his long standing conflict with Takeda Shingen. For a time the two champions met every year, the campaigns always […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1832 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing a massive exploding mine throwing bodies into the air. Title: Taiheiki Masakiyo nansen no zu, “Masakiyo’s Difficult Battle from the Taiheiki Chronicles.” Published 10/1866 by Yamajin. Although set in the fourteenth century, in fact this is a comment on the recent ( spring of 1866 […]
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Yorimasa’s retainer, Hayata Tadazumi, despatching the Nue with his sword amongst thunder and lightning. The Nue ( a composite beast, as big as a house with monkey’s head, back of badger, claws of tiger, scales of dragon and tail of snake ) was shot by the skilled archer […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
Click here to view image full size. Shoki, “The Demon Quellor.” The ghostly Chinese protector of the Emperor Ming Hwang. A favourite subject for the Japanese, he is usually shown beating off annoying oni. He is always depicted dressed in Chinese military attire with the characteristic Chinese hat with side streamers and holding a two-edged […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797 – 1858)
Click here to view image full size. Gishi katakiuchi no zu, “Revenge of the Loyal Retainers.” The ronin assemble before the castle of Ko no Moronao before their attack. Published 1846 by Aritaya Kiyo-e mon. Rare. Very good impression and colour. Some edge soil. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold