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Utagawa YOSHIHARU (1828-1888)
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A triptych showing a large elephant being inspected, watered and fed by foreigners. Ikoku watari taizo no zu. “Picture of a Big Elephant Brought from Overseas.” Beside the title in a box are the details of the animal: Three years old this year (1868); length 6 metres 38 cms; length of nose 3 metres 4 cms; tall 3 metres 76 cms; weight 2800 me. Published by Yamaguchiya Tobei. Rare: Not in any of the standard Yokohama books.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichibaisai Yoshiharu ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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An original painting of the Sumida riverbank at Mimeguri, Toto ( Edo ). A full moon rises above a tori and is reflected in the river. Possibly originally from a makemono. Sumi and light colour on paper, 7.9 x 21.9 in; 20 x 55.5 cms. Sealed with a Ryusai seal used in his later years.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760-1849 )
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Shrike and wild strawberry from the so-called Small Flower series of ten chuban prints published c 1832. Amongst the most sought- after of Hokusai’s prints. The first edition ( as here ) was published by and has the seal Eijudo. A later edition has combined manji and kiwame seal ( and some are printed on thin Chinese-style paper ), and there are also impressions extant without any seals which probably constitute a third state. All impressions are rare and the first state excessively so. Indeed, these prints are considered even rarer than the larger bird and flower set Hokusai designed c 1833. The printing and colour on this set comes close to surimono quality. Each print has a Chinese poem written in hiragana.
Fine impression and colour. Minor soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu.
Status: Sold
Totoya HOKKEI ( 1780-1850 )
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A mounted sage followed by his servant crossing a bridge over a lake. One of an excessively rare chuban series with title Toshi gafu no uchi, “Drawing Album for Chinese Poems” printed in red, and sub-title Toshin denshi. Printed in tones of blue except for a light flush on the horizon. Another impression ( trimmed ) was in the Vever collection ( ex Hayashi ), Sotheby’s, Part III, lot 295. Other impressions ( damaged ) are in the BM, ref: 1937, 0710,0,229 and Honolulu Museum of Art, ref: 14466. Hokkei was one of Hokusai’s best pupils and designed many fine surimono. Unidentified publisher’s seal and censor’s seal in right margin ( trimmed off on the other impressions ).
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Hokkei.
Status: Sold
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA ( 1822-1866 )
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A triptych with title Taiheiki Yakiyama-Goye no zue, “Picture of the Slope of Burning Mountain in the Taiheiki.” Sato Masakiyo ( = Kato Kiyomasa ), far left, and his men encountering a monstrous serpent surrounded by bats and flying goblins on a haunted mountain . Published by Kagaya Kichibei, 5/1861.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II ( 1826-1869 )
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Hiroshige II’s best print. Suo Iwakuni no Kintaibashi, “The Kintai Bridge, Iwakuni in Suo Province.” From Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Various Provinces.” Published by Uoya Heikichi 11/1859.
The rare first edition has a variegated sub-cartouche but this is still an extremely early impression with the green on the banks top right ( missing on later editions ); light blue on the water, and gradation and mica on the roofs at bottom. Fine colour. Small repaired binding holes in left margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1786-1864 )
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A surimono showing the Chinese warrior Huang Zhong ( Jap: Ko Chu, d. 220 AD ). Best known for his role in the novel Tale of the Three Kingdoms. He is shown wearing tiger skin breeches and armed with a large sword, bow and arrows. From a set Go koshogun, “The Five Tiger Generals.” Title on right Sono yon Ko Chu, “Nr 4 Huang Zhong. “ Issued by the Asakusagawa Poetry Club ( seal top left ) for the Tiger year 1818. Two poems by Shinsokutei Kashimaru ( right ) and Hogetsudo Yukitake ( left ).
Fine impression. Very good colour with extensive gold and silver. Very good condition. Signed Gakutei Harunobu.
Status: Sold
Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1786-1864 )
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A surimono showing the Chinese warrior Ma Chao ( Jap: Ba Cho, 176-222 AD ). Best known for his role in the novel Tale of the Three Kingdoms. He is shown leaning on a giant axe. From a set Go koshogun, “The Five Tiger Generals.” Title on right Sono go Ba Cho, “Nr 5 Ma Chao. “ Issued by the Asakusagawa Poetry Club ( seal top left ) for the Tiger year 1818. Two poems by Ki no Yoshito ( right ) and Sengetsudo ( left ).
Fine impression. Very good colour with extensive gold and silver. Very good condition. Signed Gakutei Harunobu.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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Minakuchi, Station 51 from the Tokaido gojusantsugi, “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road.” The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo, c 1833-4. Shows the village women, at left, peeling and drying gourds to make the famous kampyo.
Exceptionally early printing. Probably first edition. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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Toi Tama River in Settsu Province with a poem by Minamoto no Toshiyori from the series of six prints Shokoku Mutamagawa , “Six Jewel Rivers in the Provinces.” Shows women fulling cloth beneath a full moon. The set published by Maruya Kyushiro 11/1857.
Superb impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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Noda Tama River in Mutsu Province with a poem by Noin from the series of six prints Shokoku Mutamagawa , “Six Jewel Rivers in the Provinces.” Shows a Heian beaty and attendant admiring the view. The set published by Maruya Kyushiro 11/1857.
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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Fujieda, no. 23, from the so-called Reisho Tokaido because of the formal script used for the title. One of the best designs from the set. Travellers well covered against the rain traversing a path between fields.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760-1849 )
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A surimono showing two young girls making new year envelopes. On the side screen is a view of Fuji. Three poems above. Published c 1806.
Fine impression and colour. Small strengthened area au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hokusai ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka SETTEI ( 1710-1786 )
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An original painting showing a beauty sitting on an engawa having picked flowers which she is placing in a wooden bucket beside her. Settei produced many illustrated books but after around 1765 turned towards painting beauties, courtesans and geishas. They are of the utmost refinement – the faces and limbs picked out in red, their costumes often having areas of gold, and invariably have the wide lantern-locks ( toro-bin ) hairstyle. Settei also excelled at shunga painting. Sumi and full colour with details picked out in gold on silk. 30.75 x 11.5 in; 78.1 x 29.2 cms. Minor creasing but otherwise very good condition. An elaborately embroidered mount. Painted c 1770. Signed Tsukioka Settei with seals Shinten’o and Tsukioka shi.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHIFUJI ( 1828-1887 )
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The head of the cat-witch of Okabe from the Fifty-three Stations. The head is composed of convoluted cats’ bodies; the eyes being two bells that are usually found round cats’ necks and the mouth a thick ribbon as worn by cats. Any young girl visiting the temple was at risk of being greeted by an old woman who would offer her accommodation for the night, only to transmogrify into a cat-witch and devour them. The print was published c 1847 by ( appropriately ) Kita. Extremely rare and a great 19th century design.
Fine impression and colour. Small corner repair bottom right and slight strengthening au verso of weak lines. But generally good condition. Full size. Signed Ipposai Yoshifuji ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE II ( 1829-1869 )
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The foremost pupil of Hiroshige. Formerly called Shigenobu, he assumed the name Hiroshige II on Hiroshige’s death and married his daughter. Shows Soshu Shichirigahama, the “Seven Ri Beach” near Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. From the set Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “The One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” From the beach one gets a clear view of Fuji and Enoshima Island – both framed by a giant wave. The set ( of which only 80 are known ) was published by Uoya Eikichi 1859-61 ( this being 1859 ).
Very good impression and colour. Margins trimmed close, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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Shionata from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” 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 ). Shows the eastern shore of the broad Chikuma River. Three boatmen walk towards porters resting in a hut. Travellers could hire a boat or engage porters to bear them across the river on platforms held above the water. There are numerous triptychs showing this by Hiroshige and other artists.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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Nihonbashi Edobashi “The Nihon and Edo Bridges from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The wooden Nihonbashi ( literally Japan Bridge ) was completed in 1603. The current stone bridge dates to 1911. A classic Hiroshige composition using a large foreground object to give depth to the view, further complicated by the insertion of part of a basket of tuna being carried by a porter. Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856-58 ). This design dated Snake 12 ( 1857 ).
Very fine impression of the first edition. ( Apart from the three-colour variegated cartouche, only the first edition has gradation on the lower part of the bridge and gradation above and below the boat passing under the bridge. ) Fine colour. Left margin trimmed, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI ( 1839-1892 )
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An original painting showing Fukurokugu – the God of Happiness, Wealth and Longevity and one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck, Shichi-fuku-ji, teasing a cat with the tassle on his fan. The Seven Gods theme comes from China, and possibly India as well, apart from Ebisu. Sumi on paper. Light creasing and rubbing at top otherwise good condition. Image size 47.75 x 22.5 in; 121.5 x 57 cms. Painted c 1880s.
Signed Yoshitoshi with seals Taiso Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )
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Kwatsuyemra Genshoshichi hiding under a tiger-skin in a boat under a hail of arrows. From Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyaku-hachi-nin no hitori, “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One.” Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon, c 1827-30. Robinson S2.40.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition: completely untrimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )
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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.
Extremely fine impression of the earliest printing. ( This is the best example I have seen of this design. ) Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )
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The last stand of the Kusunoki at Shijonawate, Shijonawate nite Nanke no eiyu taiteki o. Shows the final battle of Shijonawate in 1348 with Kusunoki Masatsura, the son of Kusunoki Masashige, under a deluge of arrows continuing his father’s struggle against the Ashikaga forces. This forms a 6-sheet composition with another triptych and Kuniyoshi also designed another triptych of the same subject. Published 1847. Unidentified publisher.
Very fine impression of the earliest printing. Very fine colour. Fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1780-c 1869 )
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A surimono showing the nine-tailed fox ( Tamamo-no-mae ) and the warrior Miuranosuke who was a palace guard in the court of Emperor Konoe ( 1139-1155 ). Issued c 1826 for a sub-group of the Biwa-ren poetry circle ( emblem top right ) headed by Benbenkan. Poems by Bentandai Gihoshi, Bendendai Kazumasu , Bensusha Masago, Bensusha Mazukage Masago, Andaro Horikawa Soroku and Kofukutei Okada Minoru. Legend tells that the Emperor’s adversary – an evil fox – disguised itself into a beauty who captivated the Emperor. She was eventually revealed and killed by Miuranosuke with an arrow from his bow.
Extremely fine impression with embossing and metallic pigments. Very fine colour and condition. Signed Gakutei with seal Shugyokudo.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892 )
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Taira no Masakado ( 901-940 ) from an extremely rare and early set: Honcho hyaku yuden, “One Hundred Warriors of Japan.” Masakado was an interloper who attempted to set up a rival court at Ishii in Shimosa to that of Regent Tadahira in Kyoto. He was subsequently killed by Hidesato on the orders of the Regent. Masakado was guarded by a number of ghostly doubles who impersonated him making killing him difficult. These ghostly doppelgangers are seen here in the background. Published 1862 by Enshu-ya Hikobei although it is not known how many prints there are in the set and Keys ( Courage and Silence, Yoshitoshi, 1982 ) only knew of the set from the Netto list.
Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE ) ( 1777-1835 )
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Evening Glow ( Sunset ) at Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture. From a set Meisho hakkei, “Eight Views of Famous Places” ( based on the Eight Views of Omi theme ). Published 1830s by Iseri. The town is famous for the Onsen hot springs and the area is known for its past volcanic activity. Across Sagami Bay can be seen smoke coming from the volcanic island of Oshima ( the epicentre of the great Kanto earthquake of 1923 ).
Fine impression and colour.There are two states of this set: one with square and one with cursive script ( as here ) in the oblong cartouche at top. It is unclear which is the earliest. This purple cartouche is often faded out to a puce colour. Slight centre fold otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI ( 1839-1892 )
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Arguably Yoshitoshi’s masterpiece in the triptych format. Shows Mongaku ( Endo Morito, c.1120-1200 ) subjecting himself to three year’s 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 the head of Kesa Gozen, the wife of the palace guard Watanabe Wataru, with whom he was in love. Published 1859 ( centre sheet ) and 1860 ( outside panels ) by Kadokin. Extremely rare: Another impression in the Baur collection, Geneve, Switzerland.
Fine impression, very good colour. Minor soil bottom left corners of last two sheets, otherwise very good condition. Extensive splashed gofun. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
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. Very good colour and condition. This design is notorious for having the umbrella trimmed off and/or the title in right margin. The printer has compensated for this by printing close to the left border. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )
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A triptych showing the old hag of Hitotsuya in the dilapidated house on Adachi Moor. The morbid story tells of a woman who developed cannibalistic habits for the lord of the district who required the blood of babies or young women. The hag menacies a young girl while Kannon ( to the right ), the goddess of compassion, looks on. In fact these are life-like dolls ( iki-ningyo ). There were popular exhibitions of these dolls during the mid 1850s to the late 1860s. Leading exponents being Yasumoto Kamehachi and Matsumoto Kisaburo. The latter had an exhibition in Asakusa Okuyama in 1855 and this might have been one of the exhibits. Kuniyoshi designed a number of diptychs and triptychs showing various exhibits of these dolls including others on this subject. Published 2/1855 by Yamaguchiya Tobei.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai and Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760-1849 )
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Hotei with a karako puppet doll. Hotei, the God of abundance and good health, was one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck. The concept originated in India ( except Ebisu ) and came to Japan via China. He is usually shown as a shaven-headed priest in loose Chinese garments, holding a fan and reclining against a large bag. He is often surrounded by children trying to discover what is in the bag. Karako is a Chinese child who is usually depicted with a partly shaven head. These “treasures” were auspicious symbols of prosperity. Sumi and light colour on paper, image size 20.75 in x 13.5 in; 52.6 cms x 34.4 cms. The calligraphy is by Shotochinjin. Signed Gakyo Rojin Manji yowai hachi-go, “From the brush of Manji, old man mad with painting, aged eighty-five. With Katsushika seal. Exhibited in Masterpieces of Paintings by Hokusai School at the Itabashi Art Museum, 2008. . New mount and box with a futo-maki ( a thick wooden roll to preserve the painting from damage ). In fine condition.
Status: Sold
Kitagawa SHIKIMARO ( active c 1810 )
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An original painting, full colour on silk, image size 37.75 in x 15 in; 96 cms x 38 cms.
This pupil of Kitagawa Tsukimaro is known for his prints of full length beauties. Paintings by him are extremely rare and this is possibly the finest example. Shows a Kagi-zu, a geisha who entertained by playing the shamisen. Her attendant is seen behind her holding the three-stringed instrument. The shamisen came originally from China via Okinawa and underwent certain changes. It was adopted by the geisha culture in 1750 and took a number of years to master. New mount and box with a futo-maki ( a thick wooden roll to preserve the painting from damage ). In fine condition. An exceptional painting – especially the rendering of the acolyte’s face. Signed Toto ( Eastern Capital ) Shikimaro ga with red kakihan.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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A snowy view: Meguro taikobashi yuhi no oka, “Drum Bridge and Sunset Hill, Meguro” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Shows the valley of the Meguro River with Sunset Hill to the left. Stone bridges were uncommon in Edo because of the risk from earthquakes. Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856-58 ). This design dated Snake 4 ( 1857 ).
Very good impression and colour. Very slight vertical crease, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold