/category/brush-drawings-and-hanshita-e/
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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A sheet of original studies, sumi on thin paper, 10.5 x 15 in; 26.6 x 38 cms. Of particular interest and importance is the self-portrait in the upper right, This is another version of the famous self-portrait at the age of 83 (1842) sent to his publisher. Illustrated in Hokusai Drawings, J. Hiller, Phaidon, 1966, ill. No. 110 from the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde, Leiden, Netherlands. Provenance: Ex Henri Vever collection, seal bottom right.
One small wormhole, otherwise in very good condition.
Status: Available
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Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a triptych showing, from the left, the actor Bando Takesaburo I as Nagoya Sanza, Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as the Shinzo (“courtesan’s apprentice”), and Nakamura Fukusuke I as Fuwa Banzaemon. This is actually from the dance Sanpukutsui Kabuki no irodori performed at the Ichimura-za theatre, 5/1855. The publisher was Sanoki. These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. Sumi and touches of red with some pentimenti. Signed Toyokuni ga on the three sheets. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A fine large original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 12 x 18.5 in; 30.4 x 47 cms. Shows battling women holding what appear to be wooden swords. Two seals at the bottom which appear to be the publisher Honmo who published 1855-56. Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Julius Kurth (1870-1949), an eminent scholar who wrote extensively on Japanese and Chinese art.
Sold “as is” but in good condition.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A sheet of original drawings being hanshita-e for an ehon. Shows, above, a seated samurai and a female figure to the right holding a mirror. Below, actors in a garden setting. Sumi with touches of red on thin paper laid onto thicker Japanese paper, 14 x 10 in; 36 x 25 cms. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A large original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 12 x 20.5 in; 30.5 x 52 cms. Shows a battle between two armies. Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Julius Kurth (1870-1949), an eminent scholar who wrote extensively on Japanese and Chinese art. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A large original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 15 x 20 in; 38 x 51 cms. Shows a large group of actors in front of a theatre. Most likely two sheets for an intended triptych. There appears to be the publisher’s seal Kiya Sojuro brushed-in at the bottom who was active c 1851-1904. Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Julius Kurth (1870-1949), an eminent scholar who wrote extensively on Japanese and Chinese art. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Teisai HOKUBA (1771-1844)
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One of Hokusai’s best pupils. Known for his paintings of beauties but also designed some fine surimono. An original fan painting showing a reclining beauty. Sumi and light red on silvered paper, 7.25 x 17.75 in; 18.5 x 45.2 cms. Removed from a fan, so rib folds and other minor marks. Signed Hokuba ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A fine large original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 12 x 18 in; 30.4 x 45,7 cms. Shows two awabi divers surrounded by crabs kneeling before a figure – possibly Empress Jingu – seated behind a dragon and surrounded by samurai. Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Julius Kurth (1870-1949), an eminent scholar who wrote extensively on Japanese and Chinese art.
Sold “as is” but in good condition.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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An original drawing, sumi on thin paper laid onto Japanese paper, 6.5 x 9.25 in; 15.9 x 23.5 cms. A heavily muscled individual (Benkei ?) dispatching two adversaries. Sold “as is” with all imperfections common to surviving drawings. Two areas of pentimenti.
Status: Available
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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An important collection of original drawings by Kyosai laid into two accordion albums, opening horizontally, 13.5 x 10 inches. Approx 157 drawings ( one signed and sealed; one signed and dated [ 6th October Meiji 3,1870 ]; and one signed ). After the date is the place: Shinobazu keidai Mikawatei, the garden of a temple ( Bentendo Hall ( ?) at Shinobazu pond, Ueno Park; Mikawatei being a restaurant. And the signature: Seisei Kyosai sui butsu rei hitsu, the drawing of Amida painted when drunk. Some drawings are from life, others seem to be memory drawings of his work, but most are preliminary ideas for books, prints or paintings. Many of Kyosai’s favourite subjects are represented including: skeletons, onis and cats. Drawings on this scale, spontaneous and with no need to impress, give a better insight into the mind of an artist, and on almost every page Kyosai’s humour shines through. Of particular delight are a group of drawings showing men on horseback playing some Japanese variation of polo, and a sheet recording new-born, still blind rats.
Status: Available
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Utagawa YOSHIKAZU (Active c 1849-1867)
A five-sheet original drawing (hanshita-e) showing a parade of beauties before a wicker fence and blossom. Bigyoku imayo hanazoroi, “An Assortment of Modern Beautiful Gems as Flowers.” Nice brushwork on the sumptuous kimonos. Sumi with sumi wash and light touches of red on thin Japanese paper laid onto further thin Japanese paper. Each sheet signed Ichikawa Yoshikazu ga. Sold “as is” with all imperfections, but in good condition.
Status: Available
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
An original drawing by the first Toyokuni. An hanshita-e diptych for a published set of triptychs with title: Yakusha juni tsuki, “Actors in the Twelve Months.” Shows the actors (from the left) Bando Mitsugoro III holding a pipe; Iwai Hanshiro V with an open book; Nakamura Utaemon III about to write a poem; and Segawa Roko IV with another pipe. They are compared to the months of the year, in this case July, the month of the Bon Odori festival and are also a parody of the Six Immortal Poets. The print published by Yamashiroya Toemon (active c. 1801-1817). In fact this set was published Spring, Bunka 6 (1809). Sumi on thin paper laid around edges onto another sheet. Some pentimenti and also shows the initial hurried under-drawing and with annotations for the finished print. Sold together with the two published sheets which shows the lanterns removed at top, the brazier bottom centre and other minor changes. In indifferent condition. An illustrated example of this complete triptych is in the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts.
The print signed Toyokuni ga. Original hanshita-e by Toyokuni I are extremely rare. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a triptych showing, from the left, Nakamura Kamenojo I as the geisha Azuma standing above Kawarasaki Gonjuro I as Yamazakiya Yogoro, Bando Kamezo I as Settanaoshi Chogoro standing above Onoe Kikugoro IV as Kumasaka Ocho, and Onoe Kikugoro IV as Akogi Gennojo standing above Onoe Kikujiro II as Onnadayu Okoyo. The play was Yume musubu cho ni torioi performed at the Ichimura-za theatre 3/1856. These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. Sumi and touches of red with some pentimenti. (This was also most likely a published print by Sanoki as it is from the same group as others offered here.) Signed on two sheets Toyoukuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNITERU (Fl. mid-19th c.)
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An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a triptych showing the ground floor interior of a brothel in the Yoshiwara with courtesans and their assistants. These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. He was a pupil of Kunisada, originally calling himself Sadashige, and becoming Kuniteru when Kunisada became Toyokuni III. Sumi and touches of red. Extensive pentimenti. Sold “as is” with all imperfections. Signed on two sheets Kuniteru ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a published diptych showing, on the left, the actor Onoe Kikujiro II as Tatsuhime – in reality Yawata, the younger sister of Kotoda. On the right is Iwai Kumesaburo III as Kudo Kanaishimaru. The play is Matsu icho Tsurukame Soga performed at the Nakamura-ya theatre, 1/1854. The publisher of the print was Sanoki. These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. Sumi and touches of red. Signed Toyokuni ga on both sheets. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)
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A shijo brush drawing of a seabream and a lumpfish (?). One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his painting from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10 x 14.75 in; 25.4 x 37.4 cms.
In good condition. Signed and sealed Keibun.
Status: Available
Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)
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A shijo brush drawing of a white horsehead and an acropomatidae (?). One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his painting from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10.5 x 15 in; 26.7 x 38.1 cms.
In good condition. Signed and sealed Keibun.
Status: Available
Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)
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A shijo brush drawing of a red seabream. One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his paintings from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10.5 x 17 in; 26.7 x 43.2 cms.
In good condition. Signed and sealed Keibun.
Status: Available
Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)
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A shijo brush drawing of a gurnard and a snapper (?). One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his painting from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10.5 x 17.75 in; 26.7 x 45.1 cms.
In good condition. Signed and sealed Keibun.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing a beauty with an acolyte. Sumi on thin paper. 14.5 x 10.5 in., 37 x 27.5 cms.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A large original drawing. Probably for a kakemono-e. Sumi on thin paper. 29.5 x 9.75 in., 73 x 24 cms.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing a full length study of a woman with details of the pattern on her dress. Sumi and red under-drawing on thin paper. 14.75 x 10.75 in., 37.5 x 27.5 cms.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing a bust portrait of a Heian beauty holding a fan with a surrounding motif of gourds and leaves. Sumi and red under drawing on thin paper. 18.5 x 12 in., 47 x 31 cms.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing a full length study of a peasant carrying a box on her head. A small vignette of a samisen player at the bottom left. Sumi on thin paper. 12.75 x 9.5 in., 33 x 24 cms.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing a study of a seated woman holding a rosary in front of an incense burner. Sumi and pentimenti on thin paper. 13 x 9.5 in., 33 x 24.5 cms.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Three New Year drummers; two with lion (shishi) masks. Sumi and colour on paper, lightly laid onto card. 24.2 x 36.2 cms; 9.5 x 14.25 inches.
In good condition. Unsigned but from a group, one of which bore full signature.
Status: Available
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing a village scene with a man bending to speak with a woman in a kago. Most likely a design for one sheet of a triptych. Sumi on thin paper. 14 x 9.5 in., 35.5 x 24.5 cms.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing a full length study of a woman. Sumi on thin paper. 19.5 x 10.5 in., 50 x 27 cms.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing two full length female studies. Sumi on thin paper. 14.5 x 10 in., 36.5 x 25.5 cms.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing a full length study of a woman surrounded with various vignettes of the same model. Sumi and pentimenti on thin paper. 14.5 x 10.5 in., 37 x 26.5 cms.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original drawing showing a seated woman offering sushi on a platter. Sumi and pentimenti on thin paper. 12 x 9 in., 30 x 23 cms.
Status: Sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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An original giga hand-scroll by Kiyochika, sumi and colour on paper, 504 inches x 10.5 inches. Shows the progress of a horseman on observing a beauty and attendant. Kiyochika, one of the last great ukiyoe artists, studied oil painting under Charles Wirgman, and ukiyoe painting with Kyosai and Zeshin. This was probably an orihon ( folding album ) which has been remounted as a hand- scroll. Dated at end: Meiji tsuchino-e inu, March 1898 and sealed Kiyochika no in.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A rare complete triptych hanshita-e (original drawing for a print). Presumably never published. A procession at Akasaka (?).
Signed Hiroshige ga on first sheet.
Status: Sold
Matsumura GOSHUM (1752-1811)
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A boy feeding geese. Sumi and light colour on paper, lightly laid onto card. From an album. 27 x 34 cms; 10.6 x 13.4 inches.
Good condition. Sealed Goshun no in.
Status: Sold
Tsubaki CHINZAN (1801-1954)
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Hovering dragonflies. Sumi and colour on paper. 28 x 35.8 cms; 11 x 13.9 inches.
Good condition. Unsigned but from a fully signed album.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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Two fishermen in a punt. Sumi and light colour on paper. 19 x 30 cms; 7.5 x 11.9 inches.
Good condition. Unsigned but from a fully signed album.
Status: Sold
Suzuki KIITSU (1796-1858)
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A fan painting showing a children’s toy. A rotating lantern with moving images. Kiitsu was a pupil of Hoitsu. Sumi and colour on lacquered paper.
Good condition for a used fan. Signed Kiitsu ga.
Status: Sold
Hashiguchi GOYO (1880-1921)
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An original drawing of a sleeping cat. The original hanshita-e for a published print from Ten Sketches, volume two, published 1918-20. Illustrated in Hashiguchi Goyo, 130 Years Birth. Memorial Exhibition catalogue, Chiba City Museum, Iwakiri Shinichiro, Tokyo Shinibun, 2011. On thin Japanese paper, 11 x 15.5 in; 28 x 39.4 cms. Several expertly repaired tears, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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An original sumi drawing of a seated bijin writing on a handscroll. From a series of such studies showing women in various attitudes, smoking; playing musical instruments; adjusting hair, etc. The design cut out and mounted onto a larger sheet of Japanese paper, 10.5 x 8 inches.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An important original drawing by Hiroshige being an hanshita-e (preparatory sketch) for an unpublished series Toto meisho gojusan tsugi, “Fifty-Three Views of Edo.” Shows Nihonbashi with a daimyo’s cortege crossing. Warehouses in the background and a distant Fuji.
Probably executed c. early 1850s. Sumi on thin paper, 9.5 x 13.5 in; 24 x 34 cms. Extensive pentimenti. Sold “as is” with imperfections but in good condition. Provenance: Ex Huguette Beres collection, sold Sothebys, Paris, 27/11/2002, lot 177.
Status: Sold