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Shibaura no seiran, “Clearing Weather at Shiba Bay.” From a fine and rare early set Edo kinko hakkei, “Eight Views in the Environs of Edo.” Shows boats anchored on the edge of Edo Bay. This set was first published privately for the Taihaido Poetry Club by the publisher Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudo) c 1837-8. (Similar to Hiroshige’s first set of fish prints.) For obvious reasons examples of these prints are of the utmost rarity. An entire set is in the Baur Collection, Matthi Forrer, 1994, nos. G492-G499. They have the copyright owner’s name in the left border, Taihaido Nomimasu, who was the head of the poetry club. They also have three poems on each design. The commercial edition, as here, has one or two poems and loses the Taihaido name. (Again, similar to the fish series.) These prints, initially not intended for commercial consumption, are more refined with a greater degree of care taken with the cutting of the blocks. Contrary to later sets, figures are small, pigments are subdued and large foreground objects are not in evidence yet. One of Hiroshige’s finest sets. Rare.

Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Ikegami no bansho, “Evening Bell at Ikegami.” From a fine and rare early set Edo kinko hakkei, “Eight Views in the Environs of Edo.”The otherwise nondescript town is famous for the large temple overlooking it. This was the Ikegami Honmonji, the main temple of the Lotus sect, a branch of Buddhism founded by Nichiren. This set was first published privately for the Taihaido Poetry Club by the publisher Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudo) c 1837-8. (Similar to Hiroshige’s first set of fish prints.) For obvious reasons examples of these prints are of the utmost rarity. An entire set is in the Baur Collection, Matthi Forrer, 1994, nos. G492-G499.They have the copyright owner’s name in the left border, Taihaido Nomimasu, who was the head of the poetry club. They also have three poems on each design. The commercial edition, as here, has one or two poems and loses the Taihaido name. (Again, similar to the fish series.) These prints, initially not intended for commercial consumption, are more refined with a greater degree of care taken with the cutting of the blocks. Contrary to later sets, figures are small, pigments are subdued and large foreground objects are not in evidence yet. One of Hiroshige’s finest sets. Rare.

Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Gyotoku no kihan, “Returning Sails at Gyotoku.” From a fine and rare early set Edo kinko hakkei, “Eight Views in the Environs of Edo.” Gyotoku was a prosperous area on the Edogawa and Edo Bay. This set was first published privately for the Taihaido Poetry Club by the publisher Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudo) c 1837-8. (Similar to Hiroshige’s first set of fish prints.) For obvious reasons examples of these prints are of the utmost rarity. An entire set is in the Baur Collection, Matthi Forrer, 1994, nos. G492-G499. They have the copyright owner’s name in the left border, Taihaido Nomimasu, who was the head of the poetry club. They also have three poems on each design. The commercial edition, as here, has one or two poems and loses the Taihaido name. (Again, similar to the fish series.) These prints, initially not intended for commercial consumption, are more refined with a greater degree of care taken with the cutting of the blocks. Contrary to later sets, figures are small, pigments are subdued and large foreground objects are not in evidence yet. One of Hiroshige’s finest sets. Rare.

Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Hakone from the “Reisho” Tokaido. So-called because of the titles written in formal script. The best Tokaido set after the Hoeido. Shows travellers holding pine-torches climbing a mountain path at night. The Hakone mountains were one of the most gruelling parts of the Tokaido, but at the same time one of the most relaxing with the hot springs, Lake Ashi and the fine cryptomeria trees. Published by Marusei, c 1851-2. One of the five best designs from the set and probably the masterpiece. The composition and use of kimetsubishi to show the woodgrain in the night sky and mountains makes it one of Hiroshige’s most beautiful prints.

Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Haneda no rakugan, “Descending Geese at Haneda.” From a fine and rare early set Edo kinko hakkei, “Eight Views in the Environs of Edo.” Planes now descend here. This set was first published privately for the Taihaido Poetry Club by the publisher Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudo) c 1837-8. (Similar to Hiroshige’s fish prints.) For obvious reasons examples of these prints are of the utmost rarity. An entire set is in the Baur Collection, Matti Forrer, 1994, nos. G492 – G499, this being G492. They have the copyright owner’s name in the left border, Taihaido Nomimasu, who was the head of the poetry club. They also have three poems on each design. The commercial edition, as here, has one or two poems and loses the Taihaido name. (Again, similar to the fish series.) These prints, initially not intended for commercial consumption, are more refined with a greater degree of care taken with the cutting of the blocks. Contrary to later sets, figures are small, pigments are subdued and large foreground objects are not in evidence yet. One of Hiroshige’s finest sets. Rare.

Very fine impression. Fine colour. Minimal edge soil, otherwise fine condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Fukagawa, Suzaki, juman-tsubo, “The One Hundred Thousand Tsubo Plain, Suzaki, Fukagawa” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). An eagle hovers over the snowy coastal plain, Mt Tsukuba and the Chiba mountains in the distance. Collectors at the beginning of the 20th century considered this the pre-eminent design from the set. Since then Ohashi has replaced it.

Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Sakasai no watashi, “Ferry at Sakasai” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1858, this being 1857. The set shows famous sights, popular annual events, and festivals in and around Edo in the four seasons. Two Chinese egrets are seen flying down to join other egrets on the Nakagawa. The ferry is seen in the background.

Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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A snow scene Bizen Yugayama, “Mount Yuga in Bizen [Province].” From a set of 20 prints Sankai mitate sumo, “Mounains and Sea Contending Like Wrestlers.” The title is in a sumo umpire’s fan (a gunbai). There are 10 prints of mountains and 10 prints of harbours. The set was published by Yamadaya in 1858 (except for Etchu Tateyama which was published by Marujin). A beautiful print.

Fine impression, colour and condition. There is an anomaly here (as sometimes happens in Ukiyo-e): The first edition of this set has a variegated cartouche. However, the impression here is unquestionably the earliest but has only a one-colour cartouche. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Kozuke, Harunasan setchu, “Kozuke [Province], Mount Haruna Under Snow.” From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. A red bridge spans a gorge with precipitous cliffs and a fast flowing river. Fantastic crags point upwards into the sky. In the distance is Mount Haruna – a sleeping volcano.

Very good impression. Good colour. Trimmed close, otherwise good condtion. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Kii Wakanoura, “Waka Bay in Kii [Province}.” From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1855. Shows cranes taking off from the bay.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Shinano, Sarashina tagoto no tsuki Kyodaisan, “The Moon Reflected in the Sarashina Paddy-fields, Mt. Kyodai, Shinano [Province}.” From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. It was a popular outing to view the multiple images of the moon reflected in the pools.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Tango Province, Amanohashidate (“Bridge to Heaven”). One of Japan’s three scenic views. The sandbar, located in Miyazu Bay, is said to resemble a pathway connecting heaven and earth. Also known for its fine pine trees. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by b Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Kisoji no Yamagawa, “Mountain River on the Kiso Road.” One of Hiroshige’s most iconic images: Snow from an untitled set of three Setsugekka (“Snow, Moon, Flowers”) triptychs. The other two being Moon at Kanazawa and Whirlpools at Awa. The Setsugekka theme was taken from a poem by Tang dynasty poet Bai Juyi (Haku Rakuten). It’s a metonym for beautiful views, etc. This part of the Kiso Road was particularly treacherous but it’s not possible to identify the exact location and Hiroshige most likely used a certain amount of artist’s license. Published by Okasawaya Taheiji, 1857, a year before his death.

Fine impression and colour. Centre sheet lightly backed and slightly trimmed, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu with Bokurin Shokoku seal.

Status: Sold