Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )

An important and rare original painting of a peacock ( Pavo cristatus ) perched on a rock with peony blossom ( Paeonia suffructiosa ). The regal peacock is usually shown with peonies, symbols of opulence and associated with summer. The subject and style borrows from the Chinese-derived Kano style, but with a spontaneous wet brush. The peony is the floral symbol of China and the peacock ( male peafowl ) was kept by the Chinese for centuries. It was a popular subject for Japanese artists of all schools and frequently used to demonstrate their dexterity, giving rise to often highly finished paintings. Hiroshige, as usual in his paintings, eschews this for a simpler approach. Hiroshige designed at least four prints of the same subject: An o-tanzaku published by Jakurindo, c. 1832; a chu-tanzaku with no publisher, c. 1832; a chu-tanzaku published by Marujin, c. early 1840s; and a kakemono-e published c. early 1840s. The style of signature on this painting dates it to c. 1832 - the best period for his kacho prints. Although I have had, and seen, a number of kacho hanshita-e, this is the first such painting I have catalogued. A Chinese-style poem top left. The painting is illustrated in the bicentennial exhibition of Hiroshige's birth, The World of Hiroshige, 1996 - 1997, Mainichi Shimbunsha, no. 307; Ukiyo-e Painters and their Works, Volume 1, Yoshida Teruji, 1963, Ryokuen Shobo and was exhibited at the National Diet Library supervised by Dr Suzuki Shigezo, n.d. The inside of the box is guaranteed by Dr Narazaki Muneshige. Sumi on paper, mounted with box; image size 50 x 9.5 inches, 127 x 24 cms. Signed Hiroshige hitsu with Ichiryusai seal.

Status: sold

status: sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )

Chidori, "plovers" flying against a full moon over breaking waves. This chu-tanzaku is one of Hiroshige's best known kacho-e, and seems to have been highly regarded at the time as there are at least three other variants: One version, also published by Sanoki, is illustrated in Japanese Prints, James A Michener, Charles E Tuttle & Co, 1959, no. 226 ( with another impression in Tamba, The Art of Hiroshige, no. 411 ); another, without publisher, is illustrated in Sotheby's sale catalogue 25/1/1978, lot 117; and a third, also without publisher and lacking moon, is illustrated in Hiroshige, Birds and Flowers, George Braziller, 1988, no. 32. It's quite possible that the latter two are, in fact, contemporary copies. ( A problem that seems to have existed from Masanobu through to Yoshitoshi. )

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

status: sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

A chu-tanzaku of a small brown owl sitting on a pine branch, seemingly perched on the “prow” of the three-day-old moon. ( To the Japanese the moon was at it’s most beautiful at this time. ) Generally considered to be one of the finest kacho prints by Hiroshige. Published c. mid 1830s.

Fine impression of the first edition with strong woodgrain showing. Later editions lack the gradation around the moon and a break appears in the kakihan beneath poem. Fine colour. Slight centre fold and trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

status: available

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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: available

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Three cranes ( symbols of longevity ), new year firs and a large setting sun. Probably issued at the new year between 1847-1852. The title: Seimeiryu taitsu jyubun no koto and the inscription explain the Yakudoshi or unlucky years which occur every seven years. Published by Joshuya Kinzo. Extremely rare: I cannot locate another illustrated impression at moment.

Fine impression and colour. Small edge restoration, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige fude.

status: sold

Isoda KORYUSAI (Fl. c 1764-1788)

A dragon emerging from a muddy mire. Presumably a depiction of the dragon brought forth by Chinnan to produce rain in the parched village of Sogo. Koryusai copied a drawing or painting by Ganki ( top right inscription reads: “Painted by Ganki” ). Extremely rare. I cannot locate another impression at present.

Very good impression. Colour applied by hand: Sumi; green ( on fangs ); gofun ( on claws ). Sumi also scraped or brushed on to simulate sprayed mud. One or two repaired wormholes and signs of mounting au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hokyo Koryusai sha ( “Copied by Koryusai” ).

status: available

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

A shishi cub being taught to scale a vertical cliff. ( Shishi: “Chinese Lion” [ Ch.: Shi-tzu ]. ) it was said that the shishi cast its young from a high rock to test whether it could scale the rock face in which case it became the perfect beast. Published by Sanoki, c 1839-40. Extremely rare: one other impression illustrated in The Art of Hiroshige, Tsuneo Tamba, no.410.

Fine impression and colour. Small areas of expert restoration. Signed Hiroshige ga.

status: sold

Gountei SADAHIDE (1807-1873)

Four uncut yotsugiri prints on an oban sheet showing different fish. Published by
Yamaguchiya Tobei c early 1840's. Extremely rare, especially uncut.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Each print signed Sadahide ga.

status: sold

Isoda KORYUSAI (fl. c 1764-1788)

A rare chuban showing a female monkey grooming a youngster, a waterfall behind. Saru, "Ape" from a set of "Twelve Elegant Signs [ of the Zodiac ] ". Koryusai produced some of the most exquisite kacho of the eighteenth century. Published c 1780.

Very good impression and colour. Minor soil, otherwise good condition. Signed Koryusai ga.

status: sold

Onishi CHINNEN (1792-1851)

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

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

An original sumi drawing in chu-tanzaku format on thin tissue with pentimenti probably showing an azure-winged magpie amongst cherry blossom. An almost identical drawing by Hiroshige was in my catalogue 19, 1977, Birds in Japanese Prints, item no 27. Signed Hiroshige with Hiro seal.

status: sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Two house swallows and wild cherry. An aiban print based on an opened sensu fan; however this is probably more of a decorative convention, rather than being designed for actual use. From a series published c late 1840’s by Matsubarado or Fujihiko. Excessively rare: The only other impression I can find illustrated is in Hiroshige, The Albuquerque Museum, 1983, no 771 ( another design from the set illustrated pl 77 ).

Very good impression and colour. Slight soil and small repaired binding holes down right edge. ( Possibly an indication that this came from a sample book of such designs – a reason for its having survived. ) Signed Hiroshige ga.

Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892) 

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.

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

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.

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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.

Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)

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

Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)

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.

Takahashi SHOTEI (Hiroaki) (1871-1944)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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: available

Kitao MASAYOSHI (1764-1824)

A falcon and camellia. One design from the album: Kaihaku raikin zui, A Compendium of Pictures of Birds Imported from Overseas. The first edition published by Gungyokudo Matsumoto Zembei, 2/1789. Copies of the first two editions are excessively rare and it was then reissued with the plates signed Keisai (as here). However this print does not appear to be from an album and judging from the quality of printing must be from the first printing with signature and when some prints were issued separately. Designs that appear on the market from this publication are invariably on thin paper and poor impressions.

Fine impression with beautiful gradation and blind printing. On thick deluxe hosho Fine colour. Very minor soil, otherwise fine condition. Signed Keisai Utsusu.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE  (1797-1858)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE  (1797-1858)

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.

Utagawa YOSHIFUJI  (1828-1887)

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.

Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)

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

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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

Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (1777-1835)

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.

Ikeda AYAOKA (active Kaei-Meiji periods)

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.

Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

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.

Ikeda EISEN (1790-1848)

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.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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.