Posts by Richard Kruml:
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An extremely rare aiban print showing two kochi , bartail flatheads, (Platycephalus indicus) and an abalone, sea-ear, (Haliotus tuberculate). From a set of eight prints of various fish published c. late 1830s. Another impression is illustrated in Japanese Prints IV – Hiroshige and the Utagawa School, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, 1984, no. 45, p. 35.
Fine impression and colour. Slight soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. Moon from a set Furyu settsugekka, “A Fashionable Snow, Moon, Flower.” An uncut fan print showing the actor Iwai Kumesaburo III as Shirai Gonpachi. Kumesaburo last played this role in the play Kakitsubata tamuke no harakawado performed at the Kawarasaki-za theatre in 3/1850. Published by Kojima Jubei (who […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. An exceedingly rare fan print showing a bust portrait of Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Soga no Goro wearing the iconic kuruma bun wig. This famous story has many versions but basically it tells how Kawazu Sukeyasu was murdered by his cousin Kudo Suketsune. Sukeyasu left two sons and […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print: Yoshiwara Naka-no-cho sakura doki, “Cherry Blossom at Naka-no-cho in the Yoshiwara.” Published 7/1852. Exceptionally rare: One other trimmed impression is illustrated in Hiroshige Fan Prints, Rupert Faulkner, Unsodo, 2010, no. 55, p. 45. Fine impression and colour. Extremely good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print: Ochanomizu no seiran, “Fine Weather but Windy.” From a set Edo hakkei, “Eight Views of Edo.” Published 1847-8 by Ibaya Senzaburo (who specialised in fans). Shows two beauties caught on a blustery day to the north of the Kanda River, the aqueduct lower left […]
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing a bust portrait of a courtesan. Shin Yoshiwara from a set Toto meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Eastern Capital.” The original Yoshiwara district was burned down in the great fire of Meireki in 1657 and rebuilt in the new location north of […]
Utagawa KUNIMARU (1794-1829)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing a beauty looking into a lacquered hand mirror which she has withdrawn from a lacquered cabinet. Kunimaru produced some exceptional fans, of which this is one. However, his work in other fields is not noteworthy and it does pose the question if there […]
Utgawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print from a set of views of Ise: Ise meisho, Asakumayama toge no chamise, “Teahouses on the Mount Asakuma Pass, Famous Places of Ise Province.” Hiroshige used this same view about a decade later for no.7 from the set The Sixty-odd Provinces. He cleverly uses […]
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. Unidentified collector’s seal bottom right corner. Fine impression, colour and […]
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
Click here to view image full size. An aizuri fan print. Shows two travellers admiring the view of the Tama River and Mt. Koya in Kii Province. Published c 1849. Sadahide produced a considerable number of fan prints and it seems to have been a speciality of his. Rare. Very good impression and colour. Minor […]
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing Otsu-e pictures. (These were cheaply and quickly produced folk images, beginning in the 17th century, sold at an important road junction at Otsu, a port on Lake Biwa. Hence the nomenclature.) Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, c 1849. . Sadahide produced a considerable number […]
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
Click here to view image full size. An aizuri fan print. Shows travellers arriving at Inba Marsh in Shimosa Province. This is now an important wetland habitat for wild birds. Published c 1849. Sadahide produced a considerable number of fan prints and it seems to have been a speciality of his. Rare. Very good impression […]
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 and illustrated in Masterpieces of ukiyo-e prints […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A shishi cub being taught to scale a vertical cliff. ( Shishi: ‘Chinese Lion’ [ Ch.: Shi-tzu ]. ) it was said that the shishi cast its young from a high rock to test whether it could scale the rock face in which case it became the perfect […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1785-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing the actor Bando Takesaburo I in the role of the Sumo wrestler Shirafuji Genta from a set: Mitate gonin otoko go-hiiki omozashi, An Imaginary Five Commoners.” Published by Yama-Ta, 2ic/1852. Superb impression with mica added to sky and burnishing. Superb colour and […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1785-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing the actor Bando Shuka I: “Snow” from a Furyu settsugekka set of Snow, Moon , Flowers. Published by Kojima Jubei (who specialised in fans) in 3/1853. Superb impression with mica added to sky. Superb colour and condition: From a group of such […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A tanzaku showing a Japanese finch sitting on a camellia branch. Unidentified collector’s seal au verso. Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Ai or ayu, river trout, Plecoglossus altivelis. Poem by Haruzono Shizuo. From the first set of fish prints published by Eijudo, c 1832-4. This first series was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Circle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. These prints are […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing a geisha adjusting her hair pin set against a snowy landscape. Fukagawa Iyo setsu, “Time in Fukugawa, Iyo Province.” Published 3/1855 by Iseba Magobei. Fine impression and colour with splashed gofun to represent falling snow. Small expertly repaired wormhole, otherwise very good […]
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1879)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print Gosekku no uchi, kugatu, tsuki machi, “Five Festivals, Ninth Month, Moon Viewing.” Viewing the full moon in the eighth and ninth months was a popular activity passed down from the aristocracy in Heian times; especially where the moon’s reflection could be seen in water. […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A half- block print showing a small bird (possibly a bush warbler) and plum blossom. . Published by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo) c. mid 1830s. Half-blocks were printed two-to-a-sheet and divided, either vertically or horizontally. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Utagawa seal. […]
Anonymous (c. 1810)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut ukie fan print, Edo meisho Eitaibashi, “Eitai Bridge, Edo.” Published by Ibaya Sensaburo, c. early 1800s. Possibly by Utagawa Kunimitsu or Utagawa Kunitora and quite possibly the only recorded impression. Very good impression and colour. Slight corner soil, otherwise good condition. Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A half-block print showing a sparrow and iris. Published by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo) c. mid 1830s. Half-blocks were printed two-to-a-sheet and divided, either vertically or horizontally. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Utagawa seal. Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of Hanakawado no Sukeroku from a set: Mitate gonin otoko go-hiiki omoizashi, “A Parody of the Five Chivalrous Commoners, a Cup of Sake from their Fans.” Shows the actor holding a number of pipes; a […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing the actor Sawamura Chojuro V as Ono no Tofu (aka Ono no Michikaze) in the play Ono no Tofu aoyagi suzuri performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 3/1850. Shows the character holding a large umbrella. Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, 1850 (who seems to have […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print from a series: Koumei matsu tsukushi, “ Famous Kinds of Pine.” A euphemism for young beauties. One here shown holding a cage for fireflies being caught by children in the background. Published by Maruya Jinpachi, 4/1854. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kuniyoshi […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print. Moon from a setsugekka set of famous views of Edo. Shows the interior of a teahouse. Published 1849-53 by Ibaya Sensaburo. Very good impression and colour. Restored centre bottom and other minor imperfections, but otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Very rare: […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print, Ryogokubashi natsu no kei, “View of Ryogoku Bridge in the Summer” from a set Hana no Edo go-ohashi, “Five Major Bridges of Edo.” Shows a beauty on the bridge with fireworks exploding above. Fireworks became so popular in the summer that the authorities had […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. An uchiwa-e showing Sawamura Gennosuke II as Ushiwakamaru and Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Benkei battling on Gojo Bridge. In fact, this shows a dance with title Soga matsuri musashi no surimono from a play performed at the Kawarasaki-za Theatre, 5/1831. The dance is today called Hashi Benkei, “Benkei […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A chu-tanzaku showing a house swallow above a trailing yellow plant. Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight browning, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige fude. Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A tanzaku showing a rooster and hydrangea. Published by Kawaguchi Shozo, c. 1830s. Another impression is illustrated in Four Hundred Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints From The Museum Of Art, Rhode Island School Of Design, 1990, no. 121, p. 54. Hiroshige is best known for his landscapes, but he produced […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A chutanzaku print showing a tortoise, crab and dandelions from an untitled series of ten prints showing water creatures originally published two-to-a-sheet. Of the utmost rarity: Arguably the most difficult Kuniyoshi set to find. It appears there are only three other impressions known of this design: The Bidwell […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print with title Shinkiro no zu which has a double meaning of being the Yoshiwara in the deep sea and also a chimera or mirage. The scene enclosed in a (dreaming ?) bivalve shows visitors in a watery Yoshiwara, all with fish heads. Of the […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A small tanzaku showing bats flying against a full moon above a lumberyard. A poem reads: “The colour of the bats’ wings was born in darkness.” Published c. late 1830s. Rare: Another impression is illustrated in Japanese Prints IV – Hiroshige and the Utagawa school, the Rijksmuseum, 1984, […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A chu-tanzaku showing sparrows and poppies. Published by Kawaguchiya Shozo, c. late 1830s. A poem: Tori tonde (tobite) / abunaki keshi no / hitoe kana, “ A bird flying by / poses danger to poppies / with single layers of petals.” The same poem is used on another […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A tanzaku showing a parrot perched on hanging ivy. Published c 1830s by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo). Fine impression and colour. Centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A koi, carp (Cyprinus carpio) swimming amongst reeds. Poem by Makuzu. From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c. 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry group (probably the Shingyoku Circle) with judges’ names and with extra poems. These prints are […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. A 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 ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c. 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry […]
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing the two brine-gathering maidens of Suma Bay: Matsukaze “Pine Wind”and Murasame “Drops of Rain.” Published by Tsuruya Kiemon, c early 1840s. Rare. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Gountei Sadahide hitsu. Status: Sold
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. Rare. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. (There is an impression with a cube-shaped red Hiroshige seal which is […]