Posts by Richard Kruml:
Onishi CHINNEN (1792-1851)
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One volume complete Azuma no teburi, “Customs of the Eastern Capital”. Published Bunsei 12 (1829). Original covers, light blue-grey with silver stencilled decoration. Original title slip (damaged). Inside front cover title Taihei Uzo (the original title). Artist: Chinnen, and publisher Sonando. 25 double page illustrations showing the inhabitants of the capital going about their daily pursuits. Inside back cover: Colophon, dated Bunsei 12 (1829) and publishers Kobayashi Shimbei and Osakaya Gembei. Slight repared wormage and minor marks, but generally a nice copy of a fine shijo book.
Status: Available
Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)
Click here to view image full size. A shijo brush drawing of a seabream and a lumpfish (?). One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his painting from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10 x 14.75 in; 25.4 x 37.4 […]
Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)
Click here to view image full size. A shijo brush drawing of a white horsehead and an acropomatidae (?). One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his painting from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10.5 x 15 in; 26.7 x […]
Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)
Click here to view image full size. A shijo brush drawing of a red seabream. One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his paintings from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10.5 x 17 in; 26.7 x 43.2 cms. In […]
Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)
Click here to view image full size. A shijo brush drawing of a gurnard and a snapper (?). One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his painting from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10.5 x 17.75 in; 26.7 x 45.1 […]
Yanagawa SHIGENOBU (1787-1833)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting by this artist who was the pupil and then son-in-law of Hokusai. He was given the name Yanagawa (from his residence in the Honjo district of Edo) to distinguish him from other Shigenobu artists. A good book illustrator and surimono designer. He designed the first […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Onoe Taganojo II from a fine set of prints showing actors glimpsed through their dressing room sliding doors, prior to going on stage. Their figures partly silhouetted as are their assistants, here aiding the actor with his headpiece. From a set Gakuya nikai kage no hyoban, […]
Nishikawa Sukenobu, 1671-1750
Given names: Bunkado; Bunkadô; Fujiwara; Jitokusai; Jitokusō; Magoemon; “Uji” Nishikawa; Nishikawa Nishikawa Sukebê /Sukebê; Nishikawa Sukenobu; Saiō; Sukenobu; Uemon; Ukyô; Ukyō; Yûsuke Sukenobu was “The most accomplished and influential Ukiyo-e painter in Kyoto during the first half of the eighteenth century” [1]. He was born and died in Kyoto, the centre of […]
Maki Bokusen (1736-1824)
Given names: Bokusen; Maki-Nobumitsu Bokusen; Gekkotei; Hokusen; Hokutei; Hyakusai; Maki Shin’ei; Suke-emon; Tokoro; Utamasa. Bokusen was a Nagoya samurai of the local Owari Fief and ukiyo-e painter, printmaker and copperplate etcher. He was a student of Utamaro and also, as C H Mitchell states, a friend and acknowledged pupil of Hokusai although […]
ANONYMOUS (Late 18th century)
Click here to view image full size. An Uki-e, “floating picture” painting showing an interior with a puppet performance taking place. A puppeteer manipulates a female puppet in the centre, behind him two gidayu narrators and a shamisen player. A male puppet is being held behind a screen. Ladies behind a screen at right enjoy […]
Winter landscapes
Approximately 70% of Japan’s landscape is mountainous. In the past when travel into the mountains was difficult there was a large demand and great curiosity by the public to see those remote snow covered landscapes. Publishers and leading artists like Hiroshige and Hokusai responded to that demand by ensuring that every landscape set […]
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Minamoto no Ushiwakamura battling with Kumasaka Chohan. From the fine set Yoshitoshi mushaburui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” Published by Kobayashi, 1883-1886 (this being 1883). Fine impression and colour. Light toning, otherwise fine condition. This is the first edition. There are a number of later states and the […]
Mori Sosen: One Hundred Monkeys
In the present update is a large painting of one hundred monkeys by Mori Sosen (1747-1824). His life is not well documented but he is known to have studied under the Kano artist Yamamoto Joshunsai (? – 1781) before being drawn into Maruyama Okyo’s (1733-1795) artist circle and his style is more Shijo […]
Ohara HOSON (Aka SHOSON, KOSON) (1877-1945)
Click here to view image full size. A rooster and weasel. Published by Kawaguchi, c. 1930. The first and only edition. Ex Robert O. Muller collection. Rare. Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hoson. Copyright seal in lower right margin; seal of printer, Komatsu, and carver, Maeda, in lower left margin. Status: Sold
Isoda KORYUSAI (1735-1790)
Click here to view image full size. A chuban print showing two unidentified birds eating ripe pomegranites. Koryusai designed a considerable number of kacho prints in this chuban format. They are all rare. J. Hillier in his book A New Approach, G. Bell And Sons Ltd, 1960, p.74, states that “… kacho represent a sphere […]
Utgawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kurodai, black sea bream (Acantho pagus schlegeli) and akadai, red bream (Pagus tumifrons) together with bamboo shoots and Japanese pepper. Poems by Tomigaki Uchiyasu and Kaoan Hoshi. From the first series of ten plus one prints published by Eijudo, c. 1832-34. The set was issued privately for a […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Shimadai, grouper (probably Chilodactylus zonatus) and ainame, greenling (Hexagrammus otakii) together with red-berried nanten. Poem by Kanshunro Nushibito. Probably the first edition (Kruml 18a). From the second series of fish published by Yamasho c. 1840-42. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Inada, yellowtail or amberjack (Seriola quinqueradiata) and fugu, blowfish or puffer (Fugu pardalis). Together with plum blossom. Poem by Suzugaki. From the second set of 9 prints published by Yamasho, c 1840-42. (Some designs on the reprints have the publisher’s mark Marujin.) Extremely early impression before the block […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The extremely rare first, private printing of Bora, the grey mullet (Mugil cephalus) with camellia and Japanese asparagusado. From a set of 10 prints in folding album form, privately commissioned for a poetry club, c 1832-34. Poems by Higaki Kunifune and Toshinoto Haruki. The judges’ names next to […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kochi, bartail flatheads (Platycephalus indictus). Together with a flowering egg-plant, nasu. Poems by Yoshigaki Toshimochi and Magaki Harutomo. From the first commercial edition of the first series published by Eijudo, c 1832-34. Early impression with the kiwame and publisher’s seal sharp. Fine colour. Some slight creasing, otherwise very […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Katsuo, bonito (Kasuwonus 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 commercial edition of the first series published by Eijudo, c 1832-34. Early impression with the kiwame and publisher’s […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing a multitude of cranes flying up from a cresting wave to a large red sun. In fact this diptych was used by an Edo publisher as end sheets to albums – usually sets of Hiroshige landscapes. Rare: Invariably it is impossible to match the […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A pheasant on a snow-covered pine. Published by Kawaguchi Shozo, c. 1830s (seal top left). Fine impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Four cats, the first sheet of a triptych Tatoe zukushi no uchi, “Proverbs Illustrated by Cats.” Examples being: “Bonito to a cat,” “Coin to a cat,” “Not even a cat would eat it.” Published 1852 by Kagaya Yasubei. Bob-tailed and calico cats were common in the Edo period. […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A chuban print showing two house swallows and wisteria. Although Hiroshige is recognised as one of the pre-eminent landscape artists, many of his most beautiful designs are in the uchiwa-e format and kachoga. Fine impression and colour. Several expertly repaired wormholes, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A medium tanzaku showing a Java sparrow on a magnolia branch. Published by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo) c early 1830s. Another example of this design has an overall light pink ground rather than the light yellow graded up, as here. Another impression is illustrated in Kikuchi , A Treasury […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Kami, crab (Charybois) and saba, mackerel (Scomber Japonicus) together with two flowers of morning glory. Poem by Shichichintei. This is the first edition (Kruml 19a). From the second series of fish published by Yamasho c. 1840-42. Collector’s seal Hayashi bottom right corner. Fine impression, colour and […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Six cats, the last sheet of a triptych Tatoe zukushi no uchi, “Proverbs Illustrated by Cats.” Examples being: “Bonito to a cat,” “Coin to a cat,” “Not even a cat would eat it.” Published 1852 by Kagaya Yasubei. Bob-tailed and calico cats were common in the Edo period. […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A half-block print showing a Japanese cormorant (?) and iris. Printed only in grades of sumi. In fact, this and the other half is illustrated in: Four Hundred Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints From The Museum Of Art, Rhode Island School Of Design, 1990, no. 166, p. 72 which shows […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A large panel showing a parrot on a flowering crab apple branch. This is the very rare first edition published by Jakurindo (Wakasaya Yoichi). It was reissued by Kikakudo (Sanoya Kihei). Published c. early 1830s. Hiroshige is rightly regarded as the leading landscape artist. However, many of his […]
Takahashi SHOTEI (HIROAKI) (1871-1945)
Click here to view image full size. A large design (20 x 13.75 in; 51 x 35 cms) on thick hosho showing a ginger cat and tomato plant. Two versions are known of this design: As here and with the cat having a black and white coat. An edition of only 100 prints was published […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) A bluebird and a branch of wild rose. A chuban print published c 1835-9. A very similar design with the same poem is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acquisition number 21.9729 and also a chutanzaku design, acquisition number 21.7997. Rare. Fine impression. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A Java sparrow on a clematis vine. A sanchogake format (three designs printed on a horizontal sheet and intended to be separated). Published c 1835-9. This is the first edition with the cube-shaped red Hiroshige seal. Two later impressions are in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acquisition […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A half-block, 8.75 x 6.5 in; 22.5 x 16.5 cms, print showing a Japanese crane standing in water with a flowering plant (a variety of Berberis ?). Published c. late 1840s by Tsutaya Kichizo. Unidentified collector’s seal au verso. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A third-of-a-block (ko-tanzaku) print, 13.5 x 3 in; 34 x 7.25 cms, showing a sparrow and cherry blossom. Published c. mid 1840s. Unidentified publisher’s seal. These narrow panels are often poorly printed, but not in this case. Very fine impression: beautiful gradation. Fine colour and condition. Signed […]
Ohara HOSON (Aka SHOSON, KOSON) (1877-1945)
Click here to view image full size. A mother monkey holding a persimmon and four playful babies. Published by Kawaguchi, c. 1930. The first and only edition. Ex Robert O. Muller collection. Rare. Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hoson. Copyright seal in lower right margin; seal of printer, Komatsu, and carver, […]
Utagawa KUNIMARU (1794-1829)
Click here to view image full size. An uchiwa-e (fan print) showing summer flowers : hydrangea, peony, iris, chrysanthemum, morning glory, etc against a yellow ground. Of the utmost rarity: possibly the only recorded example. Published by Ibaya Senzaburo with date seal Bunsei 10 (1827). Ex Werner Schindler collection, seal au verso, and illustrated in […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A bora, grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), together with camellia and Japanese asparagusudo. This impression is from the extremely rare first private edition for a poetry club with the judges’ names beside the kyoka poems by Higaki Kunifune and Toshinoto Haruki. From a set of ten prints published – […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing a beauty leaning on a fence and watching a dragonfly hovering above a flowering plant. Published by Maruya Jinpachi, c early 1840s. Rare and very attractive. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. ga. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A one third block (10 x 4.75 in; 25.3 x 12.1 cms) panel showing an oriole – probably a black-naped oriole – on a branch of a flowering apple tree. Published c. early 1830s. Good impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold […]