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Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Fujikawa from the so-called “Upright Tokaido.” One of the two snow scenes from the set. Shows travelers coming and going at the edge of the village. Published by Tsutaya, Hare 7, 1855.
Very good impression with woodgrain evident in the sky. Very good condition with full margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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The ronin Muramatsu Sandayu Fujiwara Takano ( number 46 ) from Seichu gishinden, “Tales of True Loyalty.” From a rare uncompleted set of the 47 Ronin published 6/1868 by Masudaya. Thirteen designs extant. It has been suggested that the set was completed but that the others are not known based on the fact that two of the prints are numbered 3 and 46. An error as artists did not commence and progress from number 1. Artists chose at random which numbers from a set to start with. Well known examples being Hiroshige’s Tokaido and Kisokaido.
Very good impression and colour. Small backed wormhole and light album backing. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)
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Originally a fishmonger (hence the go Totoya). Studied painting under Kano Yosen’in and then became one of Hokusai’s best pupils. Produced excellent surimono such as here showing a sumptuously attired courtesan representing Kyoto from a set of three surimono Sangoku-shi no toen ketsugi, a History of the Three Kingdoms. (A play on the Chinese states of Wei, Shu and Wu during AD 220-280, but here being Kyoto, Edo, Osaka.) Produced for the Shipporen (“Seven Treasures”) Kyoka Club c 1827. Their emblem top right and also incorporated into the background and on the box bottom left. Extremely rare.
Superb impression, colour and condition with extensive silver and gold. One of the finest surimono I have catalogued. Signed Go Hokkei.
Status: Sold
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786 [?]-1868)
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An uncut vertical surimono diptych showing two young women in court finery from the Heian period (794-1185). This being considered the finest and most cultured period in Japanese history. One stands on a balcony, the other on steps leading to the balcony overlooking a flowering cherry tree. Extremely rare: The separated design is in the MET, JP2062 and JP2061as well as them having an uncut example, JP1101. These vertical diptych designs were printed on a single sheet of hosho from a single block but with a horizontal crease between what would be the two separate surimono of conventional size. There are also two vertical diptych designs known which form a four surimono picture but these are even rarer.
Extremely fine impression, colour and condition. Extensive silver and blind-printing. Signed Gakutei Sadaoka hitsu and Gakutei Sadaoka.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An extremely rare set of hosoban designs: Pictures of Various Women of imperial Japan. Shows, on the left, Princess Joruri – the lover of Yoshitsune. On the right Suke no Tsubone, the wet-nurse of the child Emperor Antoku who both drowned at the battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185. Published by Shimizuya Tsunejiro, 1845.
Very good impression and colour. Small repaired wormage on each sheet, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Numazu from the Upright Tokaido, Gojusan tsugi meisho zue. Published by Tsutaya, 1855. The old adage that familiarity breeds contempt certainly applies to this set, which was reprinted many times. Early printings, as here, enable us to appreciate this underrated set. One of the two snow scenes from the set showing figures crossing one of two trestle bridges.
Very good to fine impression. The red cartouches double printed ( only seen on early impressions ). Fine colour. Light album backing and trimmed close at bottom right but leaving black border, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Shows station Wada in heavy snow from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi. The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). This high pass (1651 metres) was a difficult part of the journey.
Fine early impression before the break in the key block to the left and beneath the publisher’s gourd seal. Fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOHARU (1735-1814)
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The founder of the Utagawa school who had, amongst others, Toyohiro and Toyokuni as his pupils. Although not the first to use western conventions of linear perspective, he was the first to employ them extensively and in full colour and had obviously studied engravings from Holland, Germany and Italy -particularly prints of Venice after Canaletto. Uki-e Fukagawa Eitai suzumi no zu, “Perspective Picture: A View Enjoying the Cool Near Eitai Bridge, Fukagawa.” Shows the Sumida River busy with boats; Eitai Bridge in the distance to the left and beyond the masts of vessels moored at Tsukudajima. (The Eitai Bridge was to collapse in 1807 killing anything from 500-1500 people.) To the right the then newly built neighbourhood of Nakazu. The water on the right is the Hakozaki canal. Published by Eijudo, c 1771. Provenance: Ex Hayashi collection, seal in right border. Extremely rare.
Fine impression and colour with the blue at the top intact which is very rare. In exceptional condition. Signed Utagawa Toyoharu ga.
Status: Sold
Ryuryukyo SHINSAI (c1764-1823)
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A surimono still life showing two handscrolls, a small screen, a branch of coral, a branch of plum blossom and two seals. (Coral and plum blossom are associated with the new year.) One of the seals has a tiger on top, possibly indicating this surimono was issued for the Tiger year 1818. From a series of still life surimono produced by the Taiko-gawa (Drum Poetry Group), their seal top right. Shinsai was one of Hokusai’s best pupils and is primarily known as a surimono designer. In fact, this surimono seems to have been reissued without the Drum seal and different poems. (See The Art of Surimono, Roger Keyes, Sotheby, 1985, no. 286, p. 334.) One poem by Rankotei Dondontei.
Very fine impression. Fine colour with gold and silver. Small crease top right and minor signs of mounting au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed Shinsai.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE III (1842-1894)
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Shinbashi station from a set of prints Tokai meisho kaisei dochu-ki, “Newly Edited Travel Stories of Famous Places of the Tokaido.” Published by Shimizuya Naojiro, 1875. The station was opened in 1872.
Very good impression and colour. Binding holes in top border, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE III (1842-1894)
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A train passing beneath a bridge at Shinagawa from a set of prints Tokai meisho kaisei dochu-ki, “Newly Edited Travel Stories of Famous Places of the Tokaido.” Published by Shimizuya Naojiro, 1875
Very good impression and colour. Binding holes in top border, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE III (1842-1894)
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A train at Kawasaki from a set of prints Tokai meisho kaisei dochu-ki, “Newly Edited Travel Stories of Famous Places of the Tokaido.” Published by Shimizuya Naojiro, 1875.
Very good impression and colour. Binding holes in top border, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE III (1842-1894)
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A train at Kanagawa station, Yokohama from a set of prints Tokai meisho kaisei dochu-ki, “Newly Edited Travel Stories of Famous Places of the Tokaido.” Published by Shimizuya Naojiro, 1875.
Very good impression and colour. Binding holes in top border, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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Prince Genji being poled in a punt on a lake. From a set of such triptychs published by Iseya Kanekichi in 1853. Furyu Genji fune asobi, “Fashionable Genji Enjoying a Pleasure Boat.”
Very fine impression and colour. Slightly trimmed at bottom, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga and Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
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Minamoto no Yoshitsune, on the right holding a large bow, and Benkei, in the centre, face a large white dragon which emerges amongst lightning bolts from the Koromo River at the battle of Takadachi in 1187. Bunji sannen Oshu Takadachi kassen Koromogawa yori hakuryu ten e noboru. Published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke (Kinshodo), 1857. A fine design.
Fine impression and colour with mica applied to the dragon and silver rain. Very slight trimming, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga.
Status: Sold
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
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Higuchi no Jiro Kanemitsu, a retainer of Kiso no Yoshinaka, in the Kiso Mountains encounters a giant white baboon (ohishi) which has been terrorising the countryside and attacks it with a long bamboo spear. The creature hangs from a tree with one of Kanemitsu’s followers in its mouth. Published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke (Kinshodo), 1858.
Very fine impression and colour. Fine condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A triptych showing Ban Danemon Naoyuki exorcising the Bakemono in Masanori Fukushima’s mansion. A badger ghost rears up surrounded by other goblins, one of whom attempts to appease him with tea. Fukushima no yakata ni oite Naoyuki kori o taiji no zu. Published by Tsujibun, 1866.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu and Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Five ko-tanzaku ( an oban cut into three ) prints of various subjects ( Bon odori,
Sukeroku, Hatchitataki, etc ) from an excessively rare set of 15 such prints from 5
sheets. I have located only one other group ( of six designs duplicating three offered
here ). Published by Matsumura Yahei c late 1830’s.
Fine impressions and colour. Some wormage, otherwise very good condition. Signed
Hiroshige ga on each.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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Koishikawa yuki no ashita, “Snowy Morning at Koishikawa” from Hokusai’s most celebrated set: Fugaku sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” The set of 46 prints published by Eijudo, c. 1830-32. Shows a party at a teahouse, at left, admiring the view of Fuji. The only snow scene from the set. Provenance: Ex Le Veel collection, sold by Ader Picard Tajan, Paris, 2nd sale, 24/10/1980, lot 76, p. 36.
Exceptionally early impression (blue outline). Fine colour and, apart from slight vertical crease, fine condition. Very full size with extra paper top and right. This design usually has a clear sky with blue gradation at top and horizon. This state with a subtly graded blue sky appears to be the earliest version (with other similar impressions in the BM [1927.0613.0.13] and MET [JP1330]). Not only does it better convey the wintry conditions but Eijudo was probably also conscious of saving money on this expensive pigment on later editions. The finest example to come onto the market for many years. Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Boar from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Yuryaku Tenno, the 21st Emperor (457-480) by a waterfall killing a huge boar. Said to have occurred at Mount Katsuragi in 461. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Asakusa Kinryuzan, “Kinryuzan Temple at Asakusa” Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo.” The view shown by Hiroshige is through the Kaminarimon gateway with the large hanging lantern after a heavy snowfall. The great temple, which still stands, was in the northern part of Edo, not far from the Yoshiwara. Published by Uoya Eikichi who published the set between 1856 – 1858 (this being 1856). There are 118 prints in the set plus a replacement design by Hiroshige II. This is one of Hiroshige’s best known designs.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Grain showing on the red wooden post at left and the lines still crisp. On later editions the red and green pigment gets cruder and the sky darker. And even later a slipping plug becomes evident in the blue area at bottom, below the black line at left. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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The Lumberyard, Fukagawa, from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo.” Shows snow falling on the timber yards lining a river. An umbrella in the foreground is inscribed Uo, “Fish” – a reference to the publisher Uoya Eikichi who published the set between 1856 – 1858 (this being 1856). There are 118 prints in the set plus a replacement design by Hiroshige II. A large supply of timber was needed for the world’s largest wooden city. However, in 1641 a fire destroyed not only houses but the lumber which was then stored in a central area causing the government to move the yards to Fukagawa.
Very good impression, still with the lighter sky: Late editions have a black sky. Very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Dog from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Hata Rokurozayemon, a follower of Nitta Yoshisada, with an array of weapons and accompanied by his dog. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Cock from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Kwaido Maru, the boy Kintoki, umpiring a match between a cock and a young tengu. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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A triptych, Akechi Samanosuke Mitsuhara kosui joho Karasaki matsu no zu. Shows Akechi Samanosuke Mitsuhara swimming with his horse, his kikyo (Chinese bell flower) standard tied to his back, across Lake Biwa to his cousin’s house at Sakamoto where he kills Mitsuhide’s wife and children to prevent them being captured. The Karasaki pine can be seen in the background. The event takes place in 1582. One of Kiyochika’s best designs. Published 1899.
Fine impression and colour. Album backing and slight vertical fold on centre panel. Signed Kiyochika hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Snake from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Nitta Shiro (Tadatsune) inside Mount Fuji during Yoritomo’s hunting party (1193) encountering snakes and a vision of the goddess of the mountain. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Asakusa Imado from a Toto meisho set of ten prints published c. 1834. Shows three men stoking the ceramic tile kilns at Imado on the bank of the Sumida river. Mount Tsukuba can be seen in the distance. The kilns were fuelled by pine needles, a stack of which can be seen on the left. This set, and other landscapes by Kuniyoshi, are characterised by strong western-style elements – shadows and clouds derived from viewing imported prints and books from Europe. Published by Kagaya Kichibei, c. 1834. Provenance: Ex B.W.Robinson collection (purchased privately). Very rare.
Fine impression, colour and condition. The green bamboo border intact. The set is well known for having this border trimmed off, partially or completely. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Tiger from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Kashiwade no Omi Hatebe (sic, usually Hadesu) engaging with a tiger that had killed his daughter. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Dragon from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Susa-no-o-no-Mikoto standing on a rock and observing a dragon under the waves. (Probably the eight-headed dragon he slew in Idzumo.) Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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A triptych, Ujigawa Kajiwara Kagesue, Sasaki Takatsuna, miju uma. Yoshitsune is informed that Kiso no Yoshinaka is entrenched behind the natural defence of the Uji river, then in full flood. Yoshitsune calls on Kajiwara Kagesue and Sayemon-no-jo Sasaki Shiro Takatsuna to make an attempt at fording the river. He gives them his best horses: Surusumi to Kagesue and Iketsuki to Takatsuna. They plunge into the river with Takatsuna, dodging the hail of arrows, arriving first. One of Kiyochika’s best designs. Published 1899.
Fine impression and colour. Album backing and slight vertical fold on centre panel. Signed Kiyochika.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Hare from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Iga Jutaro, the elderly retainer of Soma Yoshikado, sacrificing a hare in a Buddhist temple. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Monkey from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows the Monkey King, Songoku (Sun Wu K’ung) conjuring up an army of monkeys to attack his enemy the pig. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Ox from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows the robber Kidomaru under a buffalo hide looking at his reflection in water while attempting to ambush and kill Raiko. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Horse from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Soga Goro (Tokimune) galloping from Hakone to Mount Fuji to meet his brother Juro and fulfill their revenge in the course of Yoritomo’s great hunting party in 1193. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Goat from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows the Chinese hero Kwanu (Kuan Yu) seated drinking under a pine tree with a goat. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Rat from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Raigo Ajari at the Onjoji monastery, Miidera, turning the Buddhist scriptures into rats. Oye no Masafusa looks on in dismay. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Shows Tametomo’s faithful retainer Kiheiji who is left behind by mistake when Tametomo sails for Japan from the Ryukyu Islands. He throws a weighted rope the immense distance to the ship and is hauled in. The best design from Tametomo homare no jikketsu, “Ten Famous Excellences of Tametomo.” A set of ten prints published by Aritaya Seiyemon, c. 1848-51.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
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Gathering iwatake, rock tripe or rock mushrooms in Kii Province. The common name for various edible lichens that grow on cliffs. The gatherers used precarious baskets that were hauled up and down the cliff face to collect them. Kishu Kumano iwatake tori from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” Published by Uoyei 1859-1861 (this being 1860). A fascinating print.
Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Tominomori Sukeemon Masakata, one of the famed Forty-seven Ronin, sword drawn, during the famous night attack on the house of Kono Moronao. The hanging bell, above, was an early intruder alarm system. (Interestingly, it’s also said that squeaks were deliberately incorporated into wooden floors for the same reason.) This unusual western-style set is also rare in having the printer’s name, Ohisa Daiihitsu, on five (including this) of the twelve prints in the set. Published by Sumiyoshiya Masagoro, 1852.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An extremely rare chu-tanzaku, Fuyu Sumidagawa no yuki, “Winter Snow on the Sumida River.” From a set Shiki Edo meisho, “Famous Places in Edo in the Four Seasons.” A lone figure in straw cape and large hat poles a log raft down the Sumida river in heavy snow. Published by Kawasho c. 1834. There are a number of states of this design known: As here (probably the earliest) with publisher’s seal and kiwame seal; with kiwame only; and without either. There are also extremely deceiving copies of this print. Provenance: Ex Le Veel collection, sold by Ader Picard Tajan, Paris, 2nd sale, 24/10/1980, lot 114, p. 50.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold