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Shotei HOKUJU (active 1787-1818)

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Kai no kuni Saruhashi no shinsha no zu, ‘A True View of the Monkey Bridge in the Province of Kai’. An impressive wooden bridge spans a deep chasm. It was called the ‘Monkey Bridge’ because the original rickety, plank structure was so precarious that only an agile monkey could cross it. Hokuju produced a number of these westernised landscapes and this design is one of the very best. First edition published by Nishimuraya Yohachi, c 1815. It is also known with a variant colour scheme.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Extremely full size with extra paper around. Signed Shotei Hokuju ga.

Status: Sold

Tags: Landscapes, Shotei HOKUJU, Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Wada from the Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). Wada is the highest point on the Kisokaido and Hiroshige shows travellers traversing the snow covered pass. One of the major designs from the set.

Very fine early impression. Fine colour. Slight moisture blemish at top edge and slight soil top right margin. Imperceptible centre fold and slight trimming of margins at left and right, otherwise a fine example of this design. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)

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Tsukudajima gyoshu, ‘Fishing Boats at Tsukuda Island’ from Toto sanjurokkei, the ‘Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital’ published by Se-To between 1859-1862. Shows tall vessels in the foreground and cormorant fishermen in the distance.

Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Minimal wormage in right margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)

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Shitaya, Hiroko-ji ‘Hirokoji Avenue, Shitaya’ from Toto sanjurokkei, the ‘Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital’ published by Se-To between 1859-1862. Shows figures struggling in a blustery shower.

Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Minimal wormage in right margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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A masterly design showing a view of Matsuchi Hill and the Taiko Bridge in winter, looking across the Sumida River with a ferry-boat in the foreground. Published Meiji 29 ( 1896 ).

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kiyochika.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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An excessively rare original sketch-book with MS. Diary at the end recording the last part of a trip Hiroshige started April 2nd 1841 from Edo to Kofu, this covering Nov. 13th ? Nov. 22nd 1841. Sumi on paper vigorously drawn and annotated with names and memoranda in Hiroshige?s writing. 7.75 x 5 inches containing 38 pages, two blank, with inscription on cover: ?Memories of Travel?.In slip-case inscribed HIROSHIGE/K.M.C. ( presumably the owner after Dr. J. Hutchinson ). Ex collections Mr Wilson Crewdson and then Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson FRCS ( vice-president Council of the Japan Society, London ). This diary is fully discussed and catalogued in The Colour-Prints of Hiroshige, Edward F. Strange, Cassell & Co. Ltd., 1925, pps 71-82 and 122-123 and illustrates two double pages. Contents are as follows:

Page(s):

1. Title. Memories of Travel.

2. ( Blank ).

3. Taiko Iwa. Rock called Drum Rock.

4, 5. Mitake Michi, Gedo-no-hara, Koshu. Devil?s Plain on the way to Mount Mitake, Koshu or Kai Province. The rock on the summit of the mountain is called Katana nuki-ishi. ( 2-page. )

6, 7. The view continued from No. 2 ( 2-page. )

8, 9. Kurakake Iwa. Saddle Rock ( 2-page ).

10, 11. Zo-ga-hana. Cliff called Elephant Trunk ( 2-page. )

12. Mitake Omon. Great Gate, Mitake.

13. ( Blank ).

14, 15. Place called Kajikazawa on the bank of the River Fuji, on the way to Mount Minobu. Two houses on the hill are tea-houses. There is an inn in the town. The whole way from this town to Mount Minobu has most beautiful scenery. Both banks are mountains and hills and the River Fuji flows between the mountains. ( 2-page. )

16, 17. Sentaku Ishi. Large flat rock of that name, near Kiri-ishi town, the size of the stone is 4 to 5 Ken ( 1 Ken = 6 feet ) square. ( 2-page. )

18, 19. Biobu Iwa. Screen Rock. ( 2-page. )

20, 21. Kananashi-gawa. The River Kananashi. There are many large willow trees growing on the bank, the scenery is very beautiful. ( 2-page. )

22, 23. Hayakawa. The river of that name. There is a ferry-boat on the main river, but travellers must wade the small branches running on both sides of the main river. ( 2-page. )

24, 25. Ura Fuji. The back of Fuji as seen from Koshu Province. ( Written on this page are poems on Fuji. ) The Dream Mountain is like a dream; it is much more beautiful than I thought. Though people say the ?back of Fuji? yet it is very beautiful as seen from that side, and I regret very much they use the term ?Ura-Fuji?. ( 2-page. )

26, 27. Place called Fujimaki; a fountain fed by a spring. ( Manuscript on the left is a poem. ( 2-page. )

28, 29. ( A steep road winding up the hill, with the back of Fuji seen over peaks of other mountains. ( 2-page. )

30, 31. General view of Takaozan Temple ( Shinto and Buddhist combined ). The details are named:

A) The main shrine, copper roof; the building is painted with cinnabar. B) The Cakudo, Picture Hall. C) Fence painted with cinnabar. D) Shoro; Bell Tower. E) Kagurado; Sacred Dancing Hall. F) Niomon; large Gate with Nio Images. G) Stone Pagoda. ( 2-page. )

32, 33. General view of Kashiozan Daizenji Temple ( Buddhist ).

A) Yakushido; Hall of Yakushi Niorai. B) Highway leading to Enoshima. C) Hojo; Chief Priest?s residence. D) Omon; Gate. ( 2-page. )

34, 35. Sakaori-no Miya ( Shinto Temple ) where the flint stone of Yamatodake-no Mikoto is in existence. ( 2-page. )

36. Zenkoji ( Temple ) Shinano Province. A) Hondo or principal hall. B) Large Bronze Buddha. C) Monasteries ( on the right side are the same ). D) Main Gate. E) Ordinary house. F) Stone pavement about 3 Cho long ( about 648 feet ).

37, 38. MS. Diary. [The translation of which was collated by Strange from versions by Mr Hogitaro Inada; Mr Shozo Kato and Mr Matsuki and follows here ]:

Nov. 13th: Fine weather. Made sumigaki ( black and white design ) for curtain. Was invited by Tsujiya for evening. The fish was good but sake and soba were bad, so speedily left at 10 o?clock. Wrote letter to Yedo.

( 14th. Fine weather. Began to paint curtain, lonesome evening, was invited to Narumiya, the guest was the widow of Yeirakuya of Yokaichi. )

( Above was obtained from other manuscript. )

Nov. 15th: Fine weather. The curtain design was done. Took rest from noon. In evening had sake at Yorozuya?s. Just after Yotsu ( 4 P.M. ) begun to stretch another curtain on frame ready for painting, and then again sake feast.

Nov. 16th: Fine weather, then half cloudy. During morning worked a little on curtain. Had sake feast at Noumiya?s. With some company went to an eel restaurant with Mansada and Genyemon. In evening all went to theatre and saw two acts of play. This was day of great booze.

Nov. 17th: Fine weather. Commenced to paint theatre?s signboard. The screen for Narumiya was done. Worked a little at night. From late evening begun to stretch curtain. Sake feast continued till daybreak, and stayed at his house. During the night, Yeihach?s wife had a child. [ Yeihachi was a friend of Hiroshige.]

Nov. 18th: Fine weather. The signboard for theatre was finished with colouring. There was a great feast in evening.

Nov. 19th: Fine weather. In morning finished all painting work. Wrote bill for the curtain. In afternoon had the parting feast with all our circle of friends. After the baggage was sent out from Narumiya?s and the Yorozuya [ inn ] in the evening drank sake was drunk till late night.

Nov. 20th: Cloudy, snowed little. Left Iseya at about 7 A.M., accompanied Matsumi but parted on outskirts of Kofu, hurried on alone and at evening at 6 reached Kamihanasaki where stopped for night. This lodging was very good. A man from Shinano was companion for the night.

Nov. 21st: Fine weather. Started about same hour as yesterday. Passed Inume and Shigaraki and rested. Sake and soup was poor. At Uyenohara took rest again, and took lunch. At Yose stopped for night at the Inariya Inn. Had to sleep with two other people as aiyado. One was an actor, Tsujiya Hyosuke. Heard the story of Ozawa who attempted a great crime at Uenohara.

Nov. 22nd: Fine weather. Left Yose in morning at 8 o?clock with company of one aiyado of the night before. Took rest several times, drinking sake each time but all were bad. By dusk stopped at Matsumotoya front of Myojin shrine of Fuchu. Sake was very bad.

This may be the last such item to come onto the market.

Status: Sold

Tags: Brush Drawings and Hanshita-e, Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE, Landscapes, Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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Kyobashi with Tsukuda-jima in the background from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ?One Hundred Views of Musashi? ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige?s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.

Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition with extensive mica. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.

Status: Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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The lanterns of Hommonji Temple in Ikegami from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ‘One Hundred Views of Musashi’ ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.

Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.

Status: Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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Rain over the paulownia plantation at Akasaka from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ?One Hundred Views of Musashi? ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige?s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.

Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.

Status: Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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The Sumida River and Suijin Forest under heavy rain, a moon-lute in the foreground, from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ‘One Hundred Views of Musashi’ ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.

Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.

Status: Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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Fallen snow at Fukugawa in Benten Province from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ?One Hundred Views of Musashi? ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige?s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.

Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition with extensive mica. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.

Status: Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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Snow at Suidobashi from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ?One Hundred Views of Musashi? ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige?s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.

Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition with extensive mica. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.

Status: Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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Fishing on Ayase River, Sengenji Temple in the distance from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ‘One Hundred Views of Musashi’ ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.

Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition with extensive mica. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.

Status: Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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Fireworks over Ryogoku from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ‘One Hundred Views of Musashi’ ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.

Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition with extensive mica. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.

Status: Sold

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

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Full moon at Tamagawa illuminating dyers at work in the river from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ‘One Hundred Views of Musashi’ ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.

Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition with extensive mica. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.

Status: Sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

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Fuji from the Tea Plantation of Katakura in Suruga Province from Hokusai’s most famous series: Fugaku Sanji-rokkei, the ‘Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji’. The set of 46 prints published by Eijudo c 1830-32. This design comes from the ten supplementary prints added, the so-called ura-Fuji ( ‘Fuji from the other side’ ).

Extremely good, early impression. Black outline as always. ( Only the first 36 have dark blue outlines in early states. ) Very good colour. One or two minor marks. Slight trimming and slight centre fold, otherwise a very nice example of this design. Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu. ( There is no known impression with publisher’s mark or censor’s seal. )

Status: Sold

Tags: Katsushika HOKUSAI, Landscapes, Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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A night view of Monkey Street, Saruwaka-cho, from The Hundred Views of Edo published Dragon 9, 1856, by Uoya Eikichi. This was the theatre district and the perspective and shadows makes this one of the most striking images from the set.

Very fine impression, colour and condition. The first edition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Tsukudajima hatsu kakko, ‘The First Cuckoo at Tsukudajima Island’ from Hiroshige?s first major landscape set of 10 prints with title Toto Meisho published by Shoeido c 1831-2. This is the rare first state: with ochre border; graded blue on water; and with the publisher’s name and address in right margin.

Fine impression and colour. Extremely light centre fold. Very full margins. ( The publisher’ name and address is often trimmed on right, eg even the Pulverer impression pl 6, Hiroshige, Matthi Forrer, 1997. ) Very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Numazu from the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido. The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo c1833-4. One of the finest designs from the set and the only moon scene. Shows Buddhist pilgrims entering the village. This area was famous for its Forest of a Thousand Pines which stretched along the seashore.

Fine impression. Fine colour. Fine, impeccable condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

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An extremely rare chuban triptych from a set of the Four Seasons, this being ‘Autumn’. See Kuniyoshi, Juzo Suzuki, Tokyo, 1992, which shows all four from the set, nos 233-236. Published by Arita-ya Kiyoyemon, c1845.

Extremely fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

Tags: Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI, Landscapes, Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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A rare triptych showing three bijin on the beach at Enoshima with title: Enoshima Benzaiten kaicho nagisa, which implies they are there to venerate Benten ( one of the Seven Lucky Gods ) whose shrine is at Enoshima. Published by Yamadaya Shobei, c1849.

Very good impression and colour. Slight creases. Small edge repair, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Night snow at Kambara from the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido. The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo c1833-4. Together with Shono, the masterpice from the set and widely reproduced.

Good to very good impression with the red seals still crisp. Very good colour. Very slight centre fold only perceptible top and bottom otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)

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Heavy rain and wind at Tatsuguchi in Bizen Province from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, the ‘One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces’. Published by Uoei, Monkey 2 ( 1860 ). The first edition and the only example I have ever seen of this fine design. Another example illustrated in Ukiyo-e Art, Number Eighteen, The Memorial Exhibition Of Hiroshige, The Japan Ukiyo-e Society, 1968, no. 23.

Superb impression of first edition. Perfect colour. Light album backing and two small blue spots, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Saijo in Iyo Province from the Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces. Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, Hare 9 ( 1855 ). First edition.

Superb impression of first edition. Perfect colour. Light album backing and two small blue spots, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Kwannon Temple, Abumon in Bingo Province from the Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces. Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, Ox 12 ( 1853 ). A variant first edition to Pulverer copy. One of the most beautiful designs from the set.

Superb impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Kameyama, yuki-bari, ‘Clear Weather after Snow’ from the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido. The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo in 1834. This is the rare first state: before the blue sky block was replaced with another.

Fine impression. Remargined on three sides but with black border intact. Otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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A triptych, ‘Moon’, from a series of ‘Snow, Moon, Flower’. ( The screen?s half-moon shape here representing the moon. ) Another nice touch are the shadows cast by the figures. Published by Dansendo 1848. One of Hiroshige’s best triptych designs.

Extremely good early impression; fine colour. Full size. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Heavy wind and rain in Yamabushidani, Mimasaka Province from the Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces. Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke and dated Ox 12 (1853). The best design after the Whirlpool at Naruto. The very rare first edition.

Very fine impression; fine colour. Minor backed edge wormage, otherwise fine condition. After this first edition there are numerous variant states. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Evening snow , Asukayama from the set: Eight Views of the Suburbs of Edo. Published by Kikakudo c 1837-8. One of Hiroshige’s earliest and finest sets. The first private issue of these prints (for the poet Taihaido) had three poems. This state has two. Extremely rare.

Fine impression and colour. Slight centre fold and trimmed close. Extensive splashed gofun. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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The Whirlpool at Naruto, Awa Province, from the Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces. Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke and dated Hare 9 (1855). The best design from the set.

Very good impression; good colour. Minor discoloration, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Heavy snow with geisha in front of the torii in the Gion district of Kyoto. From the fine early set of ten prints: Famous Places in Kyoto, published by Eisendo c1835. The first edition of this set has the publisher’s mark and kiwame seal in blue in right margin. (There are also two first edition states of this design – one with gradation on the roofs. the other without. See Suzuki, Utagawa Hiroshige, nos 106/7.) This impression, although the second edition, is still much sought after and rare.

Very good impression and colour. Faint centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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A mist scene showing Oyashiro Shinto Temple, Izumo Province from the Famous Places in the Sixty-Odd Provinces. Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke and dated Ox12 (1853)

Good impression; very good colour. Minor marks on bottom margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

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Poem by Fujiwara no Michinobu Ason ( 972-994 ) from the set Hyakunin isshu oba ga etoki, ‘The Hundred Poems Explained by the Wet Nurse’. Published by Nishimuraya Yohachi ( the first five ) and Ise Sanjiro ( as here ) the next twenty two, c late 1830s. This poem tells of a lover’s despair at having to part from his beloved at daybreak.

Very fine impression of the first edition: On subsequent editions the characters on the lantern ( which read ‘Iseya’ ) beneath the kago are changed; the break top left of title cartouche shows strongly, and pigments are used which do not oxidise on the path and background. Very fine colour. Slight stain bottom right corner, otherwise fine. Signed Zen Hokusai manji.

Status: Sold

Tags: Katsushika HOKUSAI, Landscapes, Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Hira no bosetsu, ‘Evening Snow on Mount Hira’ from the first Omi Hakkei set published by Eisendo and Hoeido, c1834. One of Hiroshige’s best designs.

Fine early impression with the mountain printed. Fine gradation and colour. On full size totally untrimmed paper. Near perfect condition. ( Later editions add green to the colour scheme: See E F Strange, Hiroshige, Cassell & Co, 1925, colour pl. op.p.172. ) Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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The great lantern at the Kinryuzan Temple, Asakusa, in snow. Asakusa Kinryuzan from The Hundred Views of Edo, Meisho Edo hyakkei. The set published by Uoya Eikichi with this design dated Ansei lll/7 (1856). This is the exceptionally rare first edition. The best way of discerning this (apart, obviously, from the quality of impression) is that only the first edition uses the vegetable pigment beni on the lantern and on the door to the left: All subsequent editions mixed in red lead to give a brighter colour (which usually oxidizes). (The temple still stands and looks not unlike Hiroshige’s depiction.)

Fine impression and colour, with mica added. Very small expertly repaired wormage bottom right margin otherwise fine. Seals intact. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

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Joshu Ushibori from Fugaku sanju-rokkei, the “Thirty-Six views of Mount Fuji”. The set published by Eijudo c1829-33. Probably the most difficult design from the set to find in early impression. (There exist first printings entirely in blue, but they are extremely rare.)

Very good early impression (blue outline) with very good colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu ga

Status: Sold

Tags: Katsushika HOKUSAI, Landscapes, Sold

Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)

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A rainy evening. Akasaka, Kiribataka. The substitute print for design 48 by Hiroshige I from “The One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1859 (this being Sheep 6, 1859). A lovely design and superior to the print it replaced.

Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed “The second” Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)

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Early morning snow on Nihonbashi. The first design from Kisokaido rokujukyu-tsugi, “The Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kiso Highway” published c1836 by Takeuchi and Hoeido. The extremely rare first edition with rising sun, publisher’s name on umbrella and signature: There are at least three later states of this design.

Superb impression and colour. One very small backed wormhole, otherwise very fine condition with extra large margins and complete seal at left. Signed Eisen ga.

Status: Sold

Tags: Keisai EISEN, Landscapes, Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Beauties and snow on the Sumida River. The winter scene from a set of four triptychs of famous places in the four seasons. Published by Marujin, 1848-49. Considered to be Hiroshige’s finest design in this genre. Illustrated on covers of Eight Hundred Years Of Japanese Printmaking, Museum Of Art Carnegie Institute, 1977.

Very good impression with perfect colour, Full size and matching. Original backing sheets, Fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. (There were some cracks in the blocks for this design and they appear on every known impression.)

Status: Sold