Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size.
A high-ranking courtesan ( oiran ) looking over her shoulder. From a set of six prints: Bijin kaichu kagami – Jisei rokkassen: Ariwara no Narihira, “ A Pocket Mirror of Beauties – Six Immortal Poets of the Era: Ariwara no Narihira.” The set compares the beauties to the six “immortal” waka poets of the 9th/10th centuries. The maple leaves on the oiran’s collar identify the subject as compared to the poet Ariwara no Narihira ( 825-880 A.D. ). The set published by Senichi, c 1826-28.
Fine early impression. Fine colour. Very slight soil, otherwise fine condition. Full size. Signed Keisai Eisen ga.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size.
Three koban surimono-style prints from a set Imayo sanjurokkasen, “Thirty-six Selected Pictures.” Published c late 1820s.
Fine impressions, colour and condition.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size.
A triptych showing three courtesans from the Tamaya House: On first sheet Koyuki playing the kokyu; on the second Hanamurasaki playing the koto; and on the third Hanakazura playing the shamisen. Published c 1830.
Fine impression with excellent colour. Some expert edge restoration, otherwise very good condition with extra paper around.
Status: Sold
Unsigned Shunga (Attributed to Keisai EISEN)
Click here to view image full size.
Three volumes complete. Koi murasaki, “Purple Love”. Original covers and title slips. Published circa early 1840s.
Very fine impressions and colour, one wormhole on one volume, otherwise very good condition throughout.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN ( 1790-1848 )
Click here to view image full size.
A fine original shita-e for the Bijin Tokaido which compares beauties to the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido, this being Minakuchi, famous for kampyo, dried gourd shavings. The set was published by Tsutaya, c early 1830s but only 40 designs are known as the government considered them a little risqué. ( The reason this design has survived. ) The set was reissued without the Station numbers and censor seal for 1846. I have not seen another such Eisen drawing. Extremely rare. Signed Keisai Eisen ga.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size.
An amorous couple prior to coitus. One of the three best designs from a set of twelve prints: Keisei higo, “Secret Words of a Courtesan” published c 1822-25. Although the set comes under the shunga heading, each print is an abuna-e design, without any graphic detail. Fine composition.
Fine impression and colour. Laid onto board from the original album. Small wormage and slight centre fold ( as usual ), otherwise good condition.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size.
The courtesan Hanaoka of the Sanomatsuya House in the Shin Yoshiwara looking out at the rain and holding a poem slip. Episode Amagoi from a Seven Komachi set: Shin Yoshiwara yugimi nana Komachi. The set based on the seven episodes in the life of the famous 9th century poetess Ono no Komachi. Published by Tsuta-ya, c 1830.
Very good impression. This is the first state with gradation in the sky and at the end of Hanaoka’s robe. Superb, unfaded colour. Fine condition; full size. Signed Keisai Eisen ga.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size.
Oiso from the set: “Bijin Tokaido” comparing beauties to the 53 Stations. Published by Tsutaya c 1830’s. The best design from the set.
Very fine impression, colour and, apart from minor trimming, fine condition. Signed Keisai Eisen ga.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size.
Okitsu from the set: “Bijin Tokaido” comparing beauties to the 53 Stations. Published by Tsutaya c 1830’s. A fine design.
Very fine impression, colour and, apart from minor trimming, fine condition. Signed Keisai Eisen ga.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size.
A kakemono-e showing a promenading beauty.
Fine impression. Almost perfect colour and condition. Signed Keisai Eisen ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Wada from the Sixty-nine Stations f 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.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal edge soil and trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Oi, a suburb of present day Ena City, is in the southern foothills of the central mountain range now known as the Japan Alps. Shows a group of travellers heavily protected against the snow and cold. From Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). One of Hiroshige’s most famous designs.
Very good impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Hosoda EISHI (1756-1829)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting, full colour on silk, 32.5 x 10 in; 82.5 x 25.5 cms. Shows a promenading courtesan under a full moon – presumably on the way to an assignation. She wears a vivid red over-garment decorated with iris and the under-garment has heavy mica applied. Eishi was of unusually high rank for an Ukiyo-e artist and is noted for his refined beauties – both painted and in woodblock form. They often have ink-wash backgrounds in the Edo-Kano technique learned as a pupil of Kano Eisen’in Michinobu (1730-90). His corpus is extensive and there are also many copies of his work. He had around thirty pupils including Eisho, Eiri and Eisui. Minor flaking of mica but in otherwise good condition. Signed Chobunsai Eishi hitsu with Eishi seal.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Station Fukushima from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). Fukushima was one of the four most important checkpoints in the country and travellers had to have their documents inspected and approved before they could continue.
Superb impression. Very fine colour. Fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Station Annaka from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” Published by Kinjudo, the set was started by Eisen in 1835 who designed twenty-four prints before Hiroshige replaced him and completed the set before 1843. Shows the entourage of a feudal lord progressing along the road between rest houses.
Very fine impression of the earliest printing. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Okute from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). Shows woodcutters making their way home as evening approaches.
Fine impression: There is a plug of wood next to the last rock on the right. This repair gradually reveals itself and moves out leaving a gap. On the earliest impressions, as here, nothing is discernible. Slight fading of red, otherwise fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Mochizuki from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). Shows travellers on the Uryu Slope between Yawara and Mochizuki. Mount Tateshima to the right. One of the finest designs from the set.
Fine early impression with gradation over the moon and woodgrain showing. Fine colour. Very slight centrefold and soil in left margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Tadasugawara no yudachi, “Evening Shower on the Bank of the Tadasu River” from the early set Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Views of Kyoto.” The set of ten masterpieces was published by Eisendo, c 1834. Shows figures running in the rain to get to the tea-houses which lined the banks here where the Kamo River and Takamo River joined.
Very good impression. The extremely rare first state of this print has the publisher’s seal in red in the upper left margin. This early state has the kiwame seal in the left margin. This was removed on later editions and the seal after Hiroshige’s signature has the characters reversed white on red. Very good colour. Imperceptible centre fold and trimmed close at top, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Shows station Wada in heavy snow from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi. The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). This high pass (1651 metres) was a difficult part of the journey.
Fine early impression before the break in the key block to the left and beneath the publisher’s gourd seal. Fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Echikawa from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). Shows the Echi river with a trestle bridge crossing it. In the foreground a laden oxen being led and two peripatetic priests.
Fine impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Midono from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi , “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). The conjecture is that Hiroshige was the better known and more commercial artist, reinforced by the fact that Eisen’s name was removed from the designs already published. Hence only the first editions have his signature on those prints. Shows travellers in a field of pampas grass and a farm worker with a hoe to the left. On the hill above are torii gates leading to a Shinto shrine. The area here opens out after the narrow Kiso valley and is popular with walkers today. Provenance: Ex Grabhorn collection.
Fine impression of the earliest state with bokashi on the brow of the hill. Fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Tadasugawara no yudachi, “Evening Shower on the bank of the Tadasu River” from the early set Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Views of Kyoto.” The set of ten masterpieces was published by Eisendo, c 1834. Shows figures running in the rain to get to the tea-houses which lined the banks here where the Kamo River and Takamo River joined.
Very good impression. The extremely rare first state of this print has the publisher’s seal in red in the upper left margin. This early state has the kiwame seal in left margin. This was removed on later editions and the seal after Hiroshige’s signature has the characters reversed white on red. Very good colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Mitake from Kisokaido rokujukyu-tsugi no uchi, “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was first published by Hoeido in 1835 with Eisen, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). The conjecture is that Hiroshige was the better known and more commercial artist, reinforced by the fact that Eisen’s name was removed from the designs already published. Hence, only the first editions have his signature on those prints. Shows a post station near to the famous Gankoji Temple. The inn and teahouse is advertising lodging.
Fine, very early impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Tarui from Kisokaido rokujukyu-tsugi no uchi, “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was first published by Hoeido in 1835 with Eisen, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). The conjecture is that Hiroshige was the better known and more commercial artist, reinforced by the fact that Eisen’s name was removed from the designs already published. Hence, only the first editions have his signature on those prints. Shows a daimyo’s cortege entering the station. On either side the villagers can be seen deferentially kneeling. This print is one of the few designs to show prints for sale. In this case on either side of the road, the shops doubling as teashops. The publisher’s mark Kinjudo can be seen on the left-hand shop.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Miyanokoshi (no. 37) from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). One of the best designs from the set. Shows a family group crossing a plank bridge against a misty silhouetted backdrop and a full moon.
Very good impression and colour. Various states exist of this design with differences in gradation and colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
Click here to view image full size.
Shionata from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei ( Kinjudo ). Shows the eastern shore of the broad Chikuma River. Three boatmen walk towards porters resting in a hut. Travellers could hire a boat or engage porters to bear them across the river on platforms held above the water. There are numerous triptychs showing this by Hiroshige and other artists.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size.
The Aoigaoka [waterfall] in Edo: Toto Aoigaoka no taki from a set of eight prints with title, Shokoku taki meguri, “A Journey to the Waterfalls of All the Provinces.” A majestic set with a mostly beautiful unifying colour scheme: There is probably no other Hokusai set that has the same impact when viewed complete. Amongst Hokusai’s finest work and much sought after. There are numerous Hiroshige designs based on the same location but they are prosaic in comparison. Eisen, inspired by Hokusai, also produced a set of waterfalls in 1847 which are themselves fine and rare. This particular fall is in fact a spillway for the Tameike reservoir seen above. Aoi Hill near Toranomon Gate to the left. The set published by Eijudo, c. 1832. Rare.
Fine impression. Fine, unfaded colour. Minimal soil and slight trimming on left: These designs are martyrs to trimming and many illustrated examples are trimmed, otherwise very good condition. (This raises an interesting problem because most Hokusai landscapes do not have a black border – contrary to Hiroshige’s – which do, making it easy to judge the trimming on the latter.) Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Heavy snow with geisha in front of the torii in the Gion district of Kyoto. From the set of 10 prints Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Views of Kyoto.” Published by Eisendo c 1834. The first edition of this design has the publisher’s mark and kiwame seal in blue in right margin. This impression, although the second edition, is still much sought after and rare.
Very good impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold and minor marks in margin, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Arashiyama manka, “Cherry Trees in Full Bloom at Arashiyama” from the set of 10 prints Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Views of Kyoto.” Published by Eisendo c 1834. Arashiyama, to the west of Kyoto, was the place to admire the cherry blossom. Shows men poling a large raft down the Hosu River. Numerous states exist of this design: some with variant gradation on the river, others with colour variations on the far bank.
Very good impression. Slight fading. Imperceptible centre fold. Minor marks in margin, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Motoyama 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 ). Shows two loggers relaxing on a tree that they have felled beneath another trunk that leans awkwardly across the path supported by a trestle making for a dramatic composition. These mountain areas supplied the timber for Edo.
Fine, early impression. Fine colour and very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Kashiwabara 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 ). An evening scene showing porters outside the famous Kameya or Turtle shop. Besides the medicines and herbs, the shop also sold refreshments.
Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Shimabara deguchi no yanagi, “The Willow at the Gate of Shimabara” from the set of ten prints: Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Places of Kyoto.” Published c 1834 by Eisendo. Shows the entrance to the walled brothel district of Kyoto with a night reveller being helped home. A courtesan with her attendants on the right. This is the rare first edition from this fine set with Eisendo’s blue seal and a blue kiwame seal in right margin. The second has just the kiwame seal, and the third has no seals.
Fine impression. Imperceptible centre fold. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Shinmachi kukencho from Naniwa [ Osaka ] meisho zu, “Famous Views of Naniwa.” Shows parading courtesans in the licensed quarter. A set of ten prints published 1834 by Eisendo. Rare.
Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga ( on the patterned border which is often trimmed off on this design ).
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
The Nunobiki waterfall in the Nikko mountains, Settsu Province, from the rare, early set: Honcho Meisho, “Famous Places of Japan.” Published by Fujiokaya Hikotaro, c 1837-9. Fifteen designs are known plus another three which were probably published around 1832. Compare with Keisai Eisen’s design of the same subject. A fine composition.
Fine, early impression. ( The example in Juzo Suzuki, Utagawa Hiroshige, 1970, no.139 appears to be a slightly later state with variant gradation on the waterfall. ) Fine colour. Expert repair top left corner outside image and slight thinning left margin. One small wormhole repaired, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Geisha coming and going through the stone torii leading to the Yasake Shrine, popularly known as the Gion Shrine from the district it is located in. This being one of the major entertainment quarters of Kyoto. Gion-sha setchu, “Gion Shrine in Snow” from a fine set of ten prints: Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Places in Kyoto,” published by Eisendo c1834. Extremely rare in this first edition state.
Very fine impression. The first state of the first edition: With subtle bokashi graded
either down ( as here ) or up on the roofs and with the publisher’s seal printed in blue
in right margin. Second state with much blacker bokashi and generally darker overall,
with blue publisher’s seal. Third state lacks bokashi but still has blue publishers’s
seal. Subsequent editions lack the publisher’s seal in right margin. Very fine colour.
Small printer’s crease top left corner, otherwise perfect condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A rainstorm at Suhara. One of the most important compositions from the Sixty-nine
Stations of the Kisokaido. The set started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835; but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). Suhara is located below Agematsu in the Kiso Valley and is subject to torrential rain in the summer months when humid air from the coastal plains hits the cooler air of the mountains. There are variant states of this design with differences in colour and gradation. This is an early impression.
Very good impression. Slight fading, otherwise very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Mochizuki, one of the most important compositions, 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 ). Mochizuki means full moon and this station was named thus because the horses of the imperial court, which were grazed in open pasture in the mountains above this spot, were returned to court on the fifteenth of August, the day of the first autumn full moon. Like other major designs in the set, there exist numerous states with differences in printing. Early editions should have gradation on the mountains to the right. There is scope for research on the differences on major designs in this set.
Fine early impression with strong wood grain showing in the sky. Fine colour. Almost invisible centre fold. Left margin trimmed close, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Nagakubo, one of the most important compositions, 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 ). Shows a full moon over the River Ida. Like other major designs in the set, there are numerous states with differences in printing. Early editions show the mountains subtly printed – and also the figures on the bridge – grading off to the right with crisp seals. Later editions lack the mountains and a darker sumi is used.
Very good, early impression. Very good colour. Centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Seba 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 ). Seba literally means ‘washing the horse’ and this is the place where Minamoto no Yoshinaka ( 1145-84 ) was once supposed to have cleaned his horse in the River Narai which meanders through the plains near Lake Suwa. The men on boats appear to be trying to reach Seba before nightfall. The masterpiece from the set. Numerous states exist of this print and there is not enough room here to go into them all: Some impressions have grey/black clouds above, some blue; some have a red cloud across the moon; some have the sky printed yellow towards the left, etc. Later editions have the trees removed on the horizon and lack the stripes in the water.
Good impression; very good colour. Minimal edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
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