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Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Koi, ‘carp’ swimming beneath hanging wisteria. One of Yoshitoshi’s finest and most popular designs. Published by Akiyama Buemon, 1889. See Beauty and Violence, Society for Japanese Arts, 1992, no. 66, p. 144 for another impression plus the original drawing by Yoshitoshi ( from the British Museum ). Also see this website in Brush Drawings and Hanshita-e for another two original drawings of koi by Yoshitoshi, possibly preliminary working ideas for the British Museum drawing. ( Yoshitoshi only produced one other carp print, a large surimono. )
Fine early impression; fine colour. Slight trimming and retains original album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An ogi-e fan print showing a camellia flower and a magnolia ( ? ) bud and flower. This appears to be the only surviving example of this design having been rescued from an actual fan. Published by Maruya Seijiro, 1852. Excessively rare: Hiroshige only designed a few ogi-e format fans, most being in the round uchiwa-e style. ( For another, see Hiroshige, Matthi Forrer, catalogue of exhibition at Royal Academy of Arts, London, 1997, no. 80. ) Ex Hayashi collection and another unidentified seal au verso.
Good impression and colour. The white camellia blind printed. The fan’s rib marks evident and trimmed to the fan shape. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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Hisui and nadeshiko, kingfisher with pinks and iris from a set of ten chuban prints published c 1832. The first edition ( as here ) was published by and has the seal Eijudo. A later edition is known with combined manji and kiwame seal from different blocks ( some also printed on thin Chinese-style paper ), and there are also impressions extant without any seals which probably constitutes 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 the series comes close to surimono quality. One of the two or three best designs from the set. I have never catalogued this design before or seen another impression for sale. An impression of the second edition is illustrated in Vignier & Inada, 1912, pl. LXXXVII, no. 297. See Hokusai, Richard Lane, 1989, no. 161, p. 296 for a list of the complete set. Each print has a Chinese poem written in hiragana.
Very fine impression and colour. Minor marks and slight trimming, otherwise fine. Signed Zen Hokusai I-itsu hitsu.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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Sekirei and fuji, wagtail and wisteria from a set of ten chuban prints published c 1832. The first edition ( as here ) was published by and has the seal Eijudo. A later edition is known with combined manji and kiwame seal from different blocks ( some also printed on thin Chinese-style paper ), and there are also impressions extant without any seals which probably constitutes 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 the series comes close to surimono quality. Another impression was in my Catalogue 19, 1977, no. 10. See Hokusai, Richard Lane, 1989, no. 161, p. 296 for a list of the complete set. Each print has a Chinese poem written in hiragana.
Very fine impression and colour. Minor marks and slight trimming, otherwise fine. Signed Zen Hokusai I-itsu hitsu.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Koi, carp ( Cyprinus carpio ). The best design from the second series of Large Fish published by Yamasho, c 1840-42. The first edition, second state ( with the block defect behind dorsal fin evident ). Only the earliest states have the block printing water reeds ( in this case printed blue; other impressions are known with the reeds green ). There is also brown gradation on the belly of the koi on this impression. Rare.
Fine impression. Slight turning of colour at top edge, otherwise good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige fude.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Tobiuo, flying fish ( probably Prognichthys ) and Ishimochi also called guchi or shiroguchi, white croaker, ( probably Argyrosomus argenatus ). Together with a single lily. From the second series of fish prints published by Yamasho c 1840-2. Poem by Toshigaki Maharu.
Very good early edition with extensive mica ( Kruml 17, p 36, Andon 49 ). Extra paper at right edge so no trimming of tail. Fine colour ( oxidation on lily ). Fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Katsuo, bonito, ( Katsuwonus pelamis ). Also called ocean bonito, strip-bellied bonito and striped tuna. Together with three sprigs of cherry ( sakura ). Poems by Toshinoto Haruki and Toshihiro Machikado. From the first series of fish published by Eijudo c 1832-4.
Very good early edition after the judges’ names removed. ( See Kruml 5, p 16, Andon 49, 1994. ) Fine colour with extensive mica. Slight centre fold ( as usual ). Very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Awabi or tokobushi, abalone or “sea-ear” ( Haliotus tuberculata ) and sayori, Japanese hall-beak or snipe-fish, ( Hemirhamphus sayori ). Together with peach blossom. From the first series of fish prints commercially published by Eijudo c 1832-4. Poems by Kumogaki Fujimi and Miwagaki Mimiki. It’s very difficult to find fine examples of this design, partly because there are deceptive copies and also because the wood blocks may have been softer than the blocks used for other prints from the set. Hence impressions are often poor.
Very good early impression. Between the first private edition and the early commercial edition: Lacking judges’ names but before kiwame and Eijudo seals. ( See Kruml 6a and 6b, p 17, Andon 49, 1994. ) Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A madai, red tai or red seabream with sprigs of sansho ( Japanese pepper ). From the first set of fish prints published by Eijudo, 1832-34. Two Kyoka poems by Shizugaki Namiyasu and Toshigaki Maharu.
Good impression, colour and condition. Heavy use of mica. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A tobiuo, flying fish, and ishimochi, white croaker, together with a single lily from the second fish series. Published by Yamasho c 1840-42. Poem by Toshigaki Maharu.
Good impression and colour. Minor marks and slight crease, but generally good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An otanzaku print showing a carp leaping a waterfall. This is an allusion to a Chinese story of a sturgeon that crossed the rapids of Lung Men on the third day of the third month, and became a dragon. Excessively rare: This is the only impression I have recorded and was previously sold by me in 1986. Published 1846. Another impression illustrated in: Hiroshige and the Utagawa school, Part IV, the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, 1984, no 61, page 42.
Fine impression and colour: Printed in black and grey. Very light backing. Minor marks. Partly indistinct collector’s seal au verso slightly visible at front. Appears to read ”Hosukaku in”. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
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A bird on a bamboo branch. A sumi koban print published 1846. These prints were obviously cheaply produced and are invariably poor impressions. Ex Hayashi collection.
Fine impression and condition. Signed Shigenobu ga
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
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A bird above waves. A sumi koban print published 1852. These prints were obviously cheaply produced and are invariably poor impressions. Ex Hayashi collection.
Fine impression and condition. Signed Shigenobu ga.
Status: Sold
Takahashi SHOTEI (Hiroaki) (1871-1944)
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A black cat with a bell round its neck. A striking design published by Fusui Gabo, Tokyo, c1935.
Fine impression and colour. Fine condition. The cat’s body is heavily lacquered and the two-tone background deliberately shows the baren marks. Signed Hiroaki.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Shimada, a grouper, and an ainame, greenling, together with red-berried nanten from the second series of fish prints published by Yamasho c1840-42. Numerous copies exist of the prints from these two series and one has to be particularly vigilant.
Very good early impression before the Ichiryusai seal was replaced and moved to the side. Extensive use of mica on the fish. Very minimal marks and centre fold ( as usual ) but otherwise very good condition. Full size. ( Late editions have Marujin publisher’s seal. ) Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A chu-tanzaku showing two geese flying against a full moon. Excessively rare: apparently unrecorded. Not illustrated in any standard reference work.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Three hoso-tansaku (13.75 x 3 in; 35 x 7.6cm)kacho prints. Published by Matsumura Yahei c1830s. Excessively rare.
Fine impression and colour. Several small repaired wormholes otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHIFUJI (1828-1887)
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An exceptionally rare print with inscription which reads: Koneko yoriatsumatte oya ni naru, “The kittens gather together and become a mother cat”. The cat’s body is formed by the convoluted forms of nineteen kittens, it’s eye is a cat’s bell and the whiskers are the spines of a fan. Another ( faded ) impression is illustrated in Edo no Asobi-e, Shinichi Inagaki, 1988, no 24, p 29. I have never seen another impression since I started dealing. No publisher given, c 1847-52.
Fine impression and colour. Very slight trimming at left, otherwise fine. Signed Ichihosai Yoshifuji ga.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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A humorous print showing a cat holding aloft a rat by it’s tail, a sliver of moon above. Printed only in sumi and light brown. Rare: Illustrated in Kawanabe Kyosai, Shigeru Oikawa, The Tokyo Shimbun 1996, no.43, p.128 which gives publication as 1870s/1880s by Sawamuraya Seikichi.
Very good impression and colour. Slight soil, otherwise good condition. Signed Kyosai ga
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Ai or ayu, river trout, (Plecoglossus altivelis) swimming in a stream from the first fish series published by Eijudo c1832-4. Probably the best design from the two series. (See also Paintings on this website for an original Hiroshige painting of this subject,)
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Ikeda AYAOKA (active Kaei-Meiji periods)
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An untrimmed fan print showing a parody of the Yoshiwara, the courtesans and customers depicted as grasshoppers. Published c.1880’s.
Fine impression and colour. Slight centre-fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ayaoka.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (1777-1835)
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A vertical diptych showing a tiger. A striking design published by Yamamotoya Heikichi c1820s.
Fine early impression with gauffrage. Fine colour. Slight creasing and small edge repair, but otherwise very good, Full size. Signed Gosotei Toyokuni hitsu.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Koi (‘carp’) swimming beneath hanging wisteria. One of Yoshitoshi’s finest and most popular designs. Published 1889 by Akiyama Buemon.
Very fine early impression, fine colour. Slight trimming at bottom otherwise very good condition. Ample margins for joining. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ikeda EISEN (1790-1848)
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A vertical diptych showing a carp ascending a waterfall. A notoriously difficult design to find without browning and there are many late impressions.
Very good impression with careful gradation. Only minimal toning of paper. Minor creasing otherwise good colour and condition. Signed Keisai hitsu with large Keisai seal.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Awabi and snipe-fish from Hiroshige’s first fish series published commercially by Eijudo around 1832-34. A rare design to find in early state. Kruml 6b (Andon 49).
Very good impression and colour. Mica on shells. Full size; no centre fold. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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An uchiwa-e ( fan print ) showing a young girl leaning over the side of a boat and wetting a towel. “Cool” from a set of six prints: Imayo rokkasen, “Six Modern Choises for Summer”. Published 2/1853. Unidentified publisher.
Superb impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Onishi CHINNEN (1792-1851)
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An uncut uchiwa-e ( fan print ) showing a turtle swimming amongst water-lilies and minnows. Chinnen, one of the culminating artists of the Shijo movement, is best known for his illustrated books ( Azuma no teburi and Sonan gafu ) and his brush drawings and paintings. Apart from this there are a number of surimono designed by him. This fan print is almost certainly the only existing impression. Published c 1829 when Chinnen was at the height of his powers, and showing his favourite subject, turtles. Excessively rare.
Very good impression and colour. Minor corner soil and marks, otherwise very good condition. Signed Chinnen.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (1777-1835)
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A bust portrait of a beauty in the form of a fan from a series of the Six Tama Rivers, this being the Ide (or Hagi) no Tamagawa in Yamashiro. Published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke with date seal 1823.
Very fine impression and colour. Very faint centrefold. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUN’EI (1769-1819)
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An aizuri-e fan print: Oji from Edo Hakkei. Apparently an unrecorded print.
Very good impression and colour. Several repaired wormholes at bottom, otherwise good condition. Signed Shunei ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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Bust portraits of girls from a set of fan prints with title “A Parody of Six Elegant Selections”, comparing these beauties to inset view of blooms.
Fine impression, colour and condition; untrimmed. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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Bust portraits of girls from a set of fan prints with title “A Parody of Six Elegant Selections”, comparing these beauties to inset view of blooms.
Fine impression, colour and condition; untrimmed. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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Bust portraits of girls from a set of fan prints with title “A Parody of Six Elegant Selections”, comparing these beauties to inset view of blooms.
Fine impression, colour and condition; untrimmed. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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Bust portraits of girls from a set of fan prints with title “A Parody of Six Elegant Selections”, comparing these beauties to inset view of blooms.
Fine impression, colour and condition; untrimmed. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A fan print showing a young girl holding a cat as reflected in a mirror. Of the utmost rarity. Published by Iba-ya Sensaburo.
Fine impression, very good colour and condition. Mica on blue ground. Untrimmed. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Anonymous NAGASAKI-E
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A Chinese ship entering the harbour. A rare print published by Yamatoya c1810s. Other impressions illustrated in: Nagasaki Prints And Early Copperplates, Masanobu Hosono, pl.33, p.55 and A Collection Of Nagasaki Colour Prints And Paintings, H.N.Mody, pl.87.
Very good impression, colour and condition.
Status: Sold
Anonymous (c. early 1800’s)
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A bird’s-eye panorama of Nagasaki harbour. These views are the most remarkable of the Bunkindo productions demonstrating linear perspective and, when early impressions as here, showing the use of block and stencil printing. The only illustrated example I have catalogued is in the Tokyo National Museum illustrated in Nagasaki Prints and Early Copperplates, Masanobu Hosono, Kodansha, 1978, pl. 27, p. 51. Ex Prof. Boxer collection (his seal bottom right corner). Large oban: 13 by 17 inches; 33 by 43 cms.
Exceptional impression and condition for this genre of print, with large margins. Fine.
Status: Sold
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
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A fine chuban from a series parodying the Seven Gods of Good Fortune, this being Daikoku, the god of wealth, seen here attempting to stand on one of his straw bales of rice. The famous waitress Kasamori O-sen (1751-1827) stands holding a battledore on New Year’s Day while her companion balances on Daikoku’s shoulders attempting to retrieve the shuttlecock caught in the kado-matsu decorations using her own battledore. The lantern on the right reads Kagi-ya, which was a tea-house located by the Kasamori Inari Shrine in Yanaka, north of Edo, which was owned by O-sen’s father and where she was the waitress. Considered to be one of “The Three Beauties” of her time. (Given the date of the print, she must have been around 18 when shown here.) The Torii gate is seen on the left. The poem above speaks of a New Year’s fresh gem [O-Sen] and how the trees and grasses bend to her. Published c. 1769.
Fine impression: As with many Harunobu, the lines are in relief because of the thick hosho. Exceptional colour: Even the vegetable blue used for the paving stones leading to the temple have not turned except at the extreme left and right. This was a colour used frequently by Harunobu to depict water but is almost always faded to a puce colour. Minimal soil, otherwise a fine example from this period. Signed Harunobu ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNKO (1743-1812)
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An original drawing showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro V in an unidentified role. Drawn c mid 1780s. Such drawings from this period are very rare. Indeed, any prior to the 1810s are rare. Ex collection Tanizaki Junichiro ( the major Japanese writer: Tade kuu mushi, “Some Prefer Nettles,” etc ). And sold by the Kabutoya Gallery, San Francisco, c 1976. Guaranteed by Suzuki Juzo of the National Diet Library. Laid around edges, 9.5 x 6.5 in; 24 x 16.5 cms. Sold as is with some wormage etc.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An extremely large and important drawing showing beauties on a restaurant verandah overlooking the Sumida river. A preparatory study for a painting which was either not executed or has been lost. Although an abbreviated version is illustrated in Ukiyoe Taikei, vol 11, no 67 which gives the location as the Kawaguchi-ro restaurant. Sumi and pentimenti on thin paper. 19 x 37 in., 48 x 94 cms.
Status: Sold
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Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A large and extremely important drawing. A detailed preparatory design for a well know painting. Shows a party beside a lake. This drawing also shows a back view of Hiroshige ( the seated figure with shaved head beneath the tree on the right ). Hiroshige is known to have shaved his head to become a Buddhist monk in 1856, so this study must date from that time. It’s interesting to compare with the finished painting which Hiroshige simplified, leaving out figures and the dog at bottom right. Sumi and pentimenti with annotations on thin paper. 40 x 17.5 in., 101 x 44 cms. The painting is illustrated in the “200th Anniversary of the Birth of Hiroshige” exhibition catalogue, Tokyo Odakyu Museum, 1996, no. 316, supervised by Prof. Kobayashi Tadashi.
Status: Sold
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