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Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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“Evening Snow at Uchikawa”, Uchikawa bosetsu from the early set Kanazawa hakkei, “Eight Views in Kanazawa” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, c 1835-6. This is an extremely rare and fine set and examples in good condition are very difficult to find. Each print contains a classical 31-syllable waka poem above. Kanazawa sits on the Sea of Japan bordered by the Japan Alps. One of Hiroshige’s finest compositions.
Fine impression and colour. Small restored wormhole bottom edge left, otherwise very good condition.Large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
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Iwanari Chikara no Suke and Shimozu Gonnai struggling in the water from Eimei kumiuchi soroi, “A Series of Famous Fighting Warriors.” Published by Moriya Jihei, 1865.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Gountei Sadahide ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Sagaminokami Hojo Takatoki warding off a group of tengu with his fan. 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 set was republished by Tsunajima in 1886.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Sano Genzaemon cutting his potted trees to warn Hojo Tokiyori. 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 set was republished by Tsunajima in 1886.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Danjo Matsunaga Hisahide preparing to commit suicide. 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 set was republished by Tsunajima in 1886.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Kuro Hangan Yoshitsune and Notonokami Noritsune fighting on a ship’s prow. From the fine set Yoshitoshi mushaburui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” Published by Kobayashi, 1883-1886 (this being 1886).
Fine impression and colour. Light toning, otherwise fine condition. Early edition. There are a number of later states and the set was republished by Tsunajima in 1886.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A chuban print from a set Wakan goki zoroi, “Valour in China and Japan.” Shows Kintaro about to deliver a blow to the Thunder God Raijin (the God of thunder and lightning – a Japanese Thor). Published by Daisada, 1868. A rare set.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Hishikawa SORI (Active 1797-c.1813)
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A samurai helmet maker (kabuto) from a series of surimono Shokunin sanjurokuban, “Thirty-six Poets as Craftsmen.” Issued for the Asakusagawa Club in 1802. Hand-stamped series title top right. Sori was a pupil of Hokusai originally called Soji with Hokusai passing on the name to him. Shows a beauty leaning on a cabinet that holds armour. On the right the craftsman holding a helmet. The set was reissued in a slightly different format in 1803.
Fine impression, colour and condition with touches of gold. Signed Sori ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Wada Heita Tanenaga (1182-1213), short sword in hand, struggling with a giant python. He was a renowned archer and retainer of Minamoto no Yoriie. Various stories tell of how he came across the python in a cave or saved a village from its carnivorous attacks. From an untitled early set published by Yamashiroya Heisuke, c. 1845. Robinson S1f.8. A striking design and rare.
Very good impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Kamada Matahachi of Matsusaka in Ise Province killing a monstrous cat. These mountain cats – nekomata – were reputed to eat humans. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, c. 1840. Robinson S1e.3. A wonderful and rare design.
Very good impression and colour. Repair bottom right corner and slight trimming, otherwise good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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The apparition of the Sea Monk, Umibozu, looming above the sailor Kawanaya Tokuzo. The best design from Tokaido gojusan tsui, Station 41, Kuwana. The legend has it that Tokuzo, against the advice of his peers, went to sea on the last day of the year. He subsequently experienced huge seas and the monster who demanded to know what was the most horrible thing he knew. He replied that his profession was the most horrid. Satisfied, the creature descended into the Stygian gloom and the storm abated. Published by Kojimaya Jubei, c. 1845. Illustrated in Robinson, Kuniyoshi, HMSO, 1961, no. 49.
Fine early impression with the light blue on the sea. Very good colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A vertical diptych showing the famous waka poet Ono no Komachi (c. 1825-c. 900) being sheltered by attendants from an upcoming storm. She is famous for composing a poem and praying for rain at the behest of the Emperor Junna during a period of drought across Japan. The poem she composed, shown above, she threw into the pond of the Shinsen-en Garden. It started raining after three days . The poem reads: Though it is called the “land beneath the sun [Japan]” surely it must rain here. Published by Kikakudo, c. 1833-35. Rare.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A triptych Shinshu Sarashina tagoro no tsuki, “The Moon Reflected in the Rice Fields at Sarashina, Shinano Province.” Shows Mitsuuji, the romantic hero of the Inaka Genji (“A Rustic Genji”), admiring the multiple views of the moon reflected in the paddy-fields and about to compose a poem. On the left, Mount Kyodai. This phenomenon was greatly admired and pilgrimages were made to view it. There was a plethora of these Genji parody prints in the 1850s following two popular Kabuki plays and Hiroshige and Kunisada collaborated on a number of such triptychs. Interestingly, this design has a date seal for 3/1861 making it probably the last and based on an existing collaborative hanshita-e. Published by Moriya Jihei. Rare.
Superb impression and colour. Slightly trimmed round; sheets connected and album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga and Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A triptych showing Miyamoto Mushashi (c. 1584-1645) fighting a pack of wolves in the mountains of Hakone watched by Sekiguchi Yataro seated beside a fire. Musashi was a renowned double-bladed swordsman (as seen here) and is considered the sword-saint of Japan. Published by Kiya Sojiro, 4/1861 and is probably Kuniyoshi’s last print.
Very good impression and colour. Slight creasing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786 ?-1868)
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Best known for his surimono although he produced fine paintings, some good landscapes and was also known as a poet. A surimono, one of a set of two on the martial arts of Japan and China, this obviously being Japan: Wakan butoku no uchi. Shows a helmet with a demon’s head and a red-lacquered baton with leather strips. These are usually the accoutrements of the famous general Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611). Two poems by Shusetsutei Kuranushi and Shuchodo Monoyana. Issued c. 1820. Three collector’s seals au verso including Kunsthalle Bremen. Rare.
Very fine impression and colour with extensive gold, silver and bronze. Light edge tape on back, otherwise very good condition. Signed Gakutei.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A complete hexaptych (six-sheet) design comprising two triptychs: Kawanakajima okassen no zu, “The Great Battle of Kawanakajima,” published by Tsujibun, 6/1866 and Takeda yusho kessen no zu, “The Bloody Battle of the Brave Generals of the Takeda Clan,” published by Tsujibun, 6/1867. The great battles of Kawanakajima took place between 1553 and 1564 between the daimyos Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) and Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578). Starting as more skirmishes than all out warfare they ended up with a fourth battle where Kenshin is estimated to have had 72% casualties and Shingen 62%. Rare complete.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Yashima GAKUTEI (1786 ?-1868)
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Best known for his surimono although he produced fine paintings, some good landscapes and was also known as a poet. A surimono showing a young mother making a temari ball. This form of folk art arrived from China in the 7th c. The balls were given to children on New Year’s day. Their production evolved and became more intricate with time, some having bells or rice placed in them so they became audible or had a mother’s wish secreted inside. A beautiful and extremely rare surimono: At the moment I cannot locate another impression.
Very fine impression. Fine colour. Slight vertical crease strengthened au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed Gakutei.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A snow scene showing the Inokashira Benten Shrine and Inokashira Pond, Inokashira no ike Benzaiten no Yashiro no kei from a set Meisho setsugekka, “Famous Places of Snow, Moon and Flowers.” The pond was originally built to supply water for Edo. This is the first edition published by Zen c. 1842; it was subsequently republished by Maruya Jinpachi and there are further late editions without publisher’s seal, a different seal beneath Hiroshige’s signature and with a recut block giving larger snowflakes.
Fine impression and colour. Minor margin soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A view of the beautiful peninsula of Izu, Izu no sanchu, “In the Mountains of Izu Province” from Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Fuji.” The set published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. This area is about 100 km southwest of Tokyo and a popular place to visit.
Very fine impression and colour. Trimmed close bottom left, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Sukiya embankment in snow, Toto Sukiya-gashi, from Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Fuji.” The set published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. The rampart on the inner side of the moat of Edo Castle on the right. Figures cross a bridge leading to Sukiya Gate. In the distance the long outer walls of the main residence of the Nabeshima Clan of Saga. Fuji on the horizon.
Very fine impression and colour. A very small repaired wormhole in top right margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Suruga Miho no Matsubara, “Miho no Matsubara in Suruga Province” from Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Fuji.” The set published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. Shows the renowned pine trees with a majestic Fuji below a yellow sky. Many of these pines are now hundreds of years old.
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Men punting rafts on the Sagami River from Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Fuji.” The set published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858.This print was included in the background of the famous 1887 portrait of Pere Tanguy by Vincent Van Gogh. The river was sometimes referred to as the Ayu River because of the (then) abundance of sweetwater fish (ayu).
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An early warrior print showing Rokuson Okeigi (Minamoto no Tsunemoto [894-961]) battling a giant dragon. From a set Honcho komei kagami, “A Mirror of Our Country’s Renown Heroes” published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1835.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kocho Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Ono no Tofu (Michikaze) in court robes learns perserverance by watching the efforts of a frog to climb a branch of a willow tree. From a set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published c. 1845 by Enshuya Matabei. Robinson S35.10.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Six uncut double chuban sheets from a bat Chushingura set. Acts 1 to 6: Shodanme; Nidanme; Sandanme; Yodanme; Godanme; Rokudanme. Published c. 1847 by Ibaya Senzaburo. Of the utmost rarity: I cannot, at the moment, locate other examples from this set.
Fine impressions and colour. Vertical centre folds, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga on each sheet.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A design from a set Azuma nishiki ukiyo kodan, “Rough Tales of the Floating World.” Various publishers between 1867 -1868, here Omi-Kyu in 1868. The prints interpret stories told by various well known storytellers, in this case Momokawa Enkoku. Shows the Monkey King (Son Goku) being catapulted into the air by the force of the large palm fan of Princess Iron Fan. (The fan was capable of creating strong winds and putting out fires.) She was a Rasetsunyo, a female protector of Buddhism. A comparatively rare set.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Shows the famous Heron Maiden. There are different versions of this story but the most common tells how a young man finds an injured heron. He nurses it back to health and releases it. Some time later a beautiful young woman appears in his village. He falls in love and they marry. She makes fine brocade which they sell, but she does not allow him to see her making it. Tempted he secretly views her only to discover she is the heron. This is the end of their marriage and the heron flies away. From a set Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts,” sub-title: Sagi musume. The set published by Sasaki between 1889- 1892 (this being 1889). This is the first edition.
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A triptych Masakiyo sankan taiji no zu, “A Picture of Masakiyo Conquering Korea.” The design purports to show Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611) invading Korea, but is probably a reference to the English bombardment of Kagoshima harbour in 1863. There is further confusion by the Koreans being dressed in medieval European costumes. Published by Yamaguchiya in 1864. There is a history in ukiyo-e of commenting on current – but sensitive – events, but setting them in the distant past to avoid censorship.
Fine early impression with burnishing on boat. Fine colour. Slight creases along right edge of sheets, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHICHIKA (Fl. c. 1850-1868)
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A triptych showing the famous battle at Honno-ji Temple, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto in 1582. Honno-ji dai gassen no zu. The Daimyo Oda Nobunaga was at the height of his powers but came under attack from his treacherous samurai general Akechi Mitsuhide and the Oda forces. Nobunaga, his wife Noh and his retainers battle valiantly but he is forced to commit suicide. Published by Fujiokaya Keijiro, 1861.
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkesisai Yoshichika ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
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A large surimono which shows Danjuro VII in Shibaraku on a fan on the right. He did, in fact, perform Shibaraku in the 11th month kaomise performance at the Morita-za theatre in 1812 (which fits the style of Toyokuni’s signature). However, the rest of the design appears to be a program for a dance recital with the names of dances and below the names of Nagauta School musicians and Hayashi percussionists. This makes the exact reason for the print difficult to determine. Extremely rare: Possibly the only known impression.
Very good impression and colour. Slight surface soil and vertical fold (as usual), otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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The Sumida River in snow from a series of views of the Koto Ward of Edo. This area was bounded by the Sumida to the west and the Arakawa to the east. Shows travellers being ferried across the river. No publisher or date given.
Very good impression, colour and condition.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A triptych, Shinshu Sarashina tagoro no tsuki, “The Moon Reflected in the Rice Fields at Sarashina, Shinano Province.” Shows a group of women and two Buddhist monks admiring the phenomenon. The Japanese seem to have had a fascination with the full moon and especially Hiroshige who incorporated it into many prints. This fascination would have been multiplied viewing the many reflected moons in the paddy fields. In fact, Hiroshige designed two other prints on this subject, see his Honcho meisho set, c 1840 and the Rokujuyoshu meisho zue set, 1853-6. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1853. Extremely rare.
Very fine impression with strong woodgrain evident. Fine colour and condition. Full size. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A triptych showing Kato Kiyomasa (Watonai) attacking a huge man-eating tiger in a snowy Korean landscape. Watonai tora-gari no zu. His henchmen tackle other tigers. This is one of his best known exploits in Korea, there being two expeditions in 1592 and 1597. Published by Yamashiroya Jimbei, c 1846. Robinson T183. A fine and rare design.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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Fujikawa, Aichi Prefecture, from the so-called “Upright Tokaido”, Gojusan tsugi meisho zue. The 37th of the 53 Stations. At its peak in Edo times the town had 302 buildings. It is now part of Okazaki City. 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 series. One of the two snow scenes from the set showing figures entering the village. Published by Tsutaya, 1855.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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A summer night on the Sumida river, Edo, illustrating a poem by the 9th – 10th century poet Kiyowara no Fukayabu. From the set: Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki. “The Hundred Poems by a Hundred Poets Explained by a Nurse. Twenty seven published designs are known for this set with another sixty two preparatory drawings extant. The set was curtailed probably due to the adverse economic climate at the time. It was started by the publisher Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudo) who published five, c 1835-6, and then taken over by Iseya Sanjiro (another Eijudo) who published the other twenty two. This design might be the first of the Iseya Sanjiro prints as it has the word shimpan on the lanterns meaning “new.” Shows a large boat, left. Probably a floating restaurant with another smaller vessel in the centre purveying food.
Fine impression. Slight fading of the red block. Fine condition. Signed Zen Hokusai manji.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
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Shinshu Asama-yama shinkei, “A True View of Mount Asama in Shinano Province.” From Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi, 1859-61 (this being 1859). Shows the volcano emitting a huge plume of smoke. (This is termed an active complex volcano with major eruptions in 1108 and 1783 and many minor eruptions and tremors since.)
Superb impression and colour of the first edition. Repaired binding holes in left margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
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A true view of Muro Harbour in Harima Province, Banshu Muro-no-tsu, from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi, 1859-61 (this being 1859).
Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Small backed binding holes in right margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHITORA (Active 1836-87)
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Uji Joetsu killing a huge monster with a long-haired albino coat and giant claws. From a set: Honcho kendo tatsujin hyakunin no uchi hitori, “A Hundred Great Swordsmen of Our Country.” Published by Itoya Fukujiro, 1859.
Fine impression. The monster’s coat completely blind-printed. Fine colour. Slightly trimmed, otherwise very good condition. Signed Yoshitora ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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The priest Nichiren standing on the rocky promontory at Reizan in Kamakura and having his prayers for rain answered. The event occurred in 1271. His disciples surround him and protect him from the deluge with a large umbrella. Bunei hachi Kamakura Reizan-ga-saki uki. The second best design from Koso [ Nichiren ] goichidai ryakuzu, “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder.” Nichiren ( 1222 – 1282 ) was the founder of the Buddhist Nichiren sect ( Nichiren shu – Kuniyoshi being a follower ) and indeed the set of ten prints may have been commissioned to mark the 550th anniversary of his death. Published by Iseya Rihei c 1831.
Fine impression and colour. Small repaired binding holes in right margin, otherwise fine condition. Full size with ample room on top border for the umbrella which protrudes beyond the border and is notorious for being trimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Roba kiwan o mochisaru from Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set of thirty-six prints published by Sasaki Toyokichi 1889-1892 (this being 1889). Shows the demon Ibaraki escaping with her severed arm. She had haunted the Rashomon Gate near the Toji Temple in Kyoto. Watanabe no Tsuna is commanded to kill her but only succeeds in cutting an arm off. Knowing she will return he locks it in a box. Subsequently his elderly aunt visits him and asks to see it, whereupon she reverts to her demonic self and seizes the limb. In another version she haunts the Modori bridge, Ichijo, in Kyoto.
Very fine impression of the first edition with burnishing. Fine colour. Very slight crease, otherwise fine condition. Signed Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold