Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A Java sparrow on a clematis vine. A sanchogake format (three designs printed on a horizontal sheet and intended to be separated). Published c 1835-9. This is the first edition with the cube-shaped red Hiroshige seal. Two later impressions are in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acquisition numbers 21.9590 and 65.1671. Rare.
Fine impression and colour. Minor marks, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A half-block, 8.75 x 6.5 in; 22.5 x 16.5 cms, print showing a Japanese crane standing in water with a flowering plant (a variety of Berberis ?). Published c. late 1840s by Tsutaya Kichizo. Unidentified collector’s seal au verso.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A third-of-a-block (ko-tanzaku) print, 13.5 x 3 in; 34 x 7.25 cms, showing a sparrow and cherry blossom. Published c. mid 1840s. Unidentified publisher’s seal. These narrow panels are often poorly printed, but not in this case.
Very fine impression: beautiful gradation. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A bora, grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), together with camellia and Japanese asparagusudo. This impression is from the extremely rare first private edition for a poetry club with the judges’ names beside the kyoka poems by Higaki Kunifune and Toshinoto Haruki. From a set of ten prints published – most likely – by Eijudo around 1832-34. These prints were subsequently issued commercially by Eijudo with his seal and a kiwame seal (both missing here on the private printing) and with the judges’ names removed. Who the poetry group was is not known, but they must have been affluent and influential. Of the sixteen poets on the prints, four were certainly members of the Shingyoku Circle, which was affiliated to the Yomogawa. This was the group that commissioned, amongst others, Hokusai’s Horse and Shell series of surimono. There appear to be three other impressions known from the private edition: Sebastian Izzard, Hiroshige, The Ukiyo-e Society of America Inc., 1983, no. 5; Ukiyo-e art, no. 18, Memeorial exhibition of Hiroshige, The Japan Ukiyo-e Society, 1968 (C) no. 4; and Juzo Suzuki, Utagawa Hiroshige, Nihon Keizai Shinbun, 1970, no. 593. Provenance: Ex Stoclet collection.
Very fine impression. Fine colour. Centre fold (as usual as they were issued in folding album form), otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A one third block (10 x 4.75 in; 25.3 x 12.1 cms) panel showing an oriole – probably a black-naped oriole – on a branch of a flowering apple tree. Published c. early 1830s.
Good impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An extremely rare aiban print showing two kochi , bartail flatheads, (Platycephalus indicus) and an abalone, sea-ear, (Haliotus tuberculate). From a set of eight prints of various fish published c. late 1830s. Another impression is illustrated in Japanese Prints IV – Hiroshige and the Utagawa School, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, 1984, no. 45, p. 35.
Fine impression and colour. Slight soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An uncut fan print: Yoshiwara Naka-no-cho sakura doki, “Cherry Blossom at Naka-no-cho in the Yoshiwara.” Published 7/1852. Exceptionally rare: One other trimmed impression is illustrated in Hiroshige Fan Prints, Rupert Faulkner, Unsodo, 2010, no. 55, p. 45.
Fine impression and colour. Extremely good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An uncut fan print: Ochanomizu no seiran, “Fine Weather but Windy.” From a set Edo hakkei, “Eight Views of Edo.” Published 1847-8 by Ibaya Senzaburo (who specialised in fans). Shows two beauties caught on a blustery day to the north of the Kanda River, the aqueduct lower left and Mt. Fuji in the distance. Exceptionally rare: The V & A museum has a complete (trimmed) set, see Rupert Faulkner, Hiroshige Fan Prints, 2001, nos. 23-30 (this being no. 25). And another impression is illustrated in Ukiyo-e Art, number eighteen, Memorial Exhibition of Hiroshige, 1968, no. 3. These appear to be the only other impressions known.
Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight centre fold and soil, but generally very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utgawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An uncut fan print from a set of views of Ise: Ise meisho, Asakumayama toge no chamise, “Teahouses on the Mount Asakuma Pass, Famous Places of Ise Province.” Hiroshige used this same view about a decade later for no.7 from the set The Sixty-odd Provinces. He cleverly uses the cliff sides to wrap around the uchiwa-e shape. Published c.1840. Extremely rare: This actual impression illustrated in Hiroshige no uchiwa-e, Unsodo, 2010, p.78, pl.108. Ex collection Maroni with seal at bottom. (His collection was sold at public auction at Kende Galleries, N.Y. 1947-9.)
Fine impression and colour. Centre fold (as often), otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Kami, crab (Charybois) and saba, mackerel (Scomber Japonicus) together with two flowers of morning glory. Poem by Shichichintei. This is the first edition (Kruml 19a). From the second series of fish published by Yamasho c. 1840-42. Unidentified collector’s seal bottom right corner.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
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
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A tanzaku showing a Japanese finch sitting on a camellia branch. Unidentified collector’s seal au verso.
Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Ai or ayu, river trout, Plecoglossus altivelis. Poem by Haruzono Shizuo. From the first set of fish prints published by Eijudo, c 1832-4. This first series was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Circle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were printed and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this first series was published commercially and a second set was commissioned. The most sought after print in the series and probably the first to be designed.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Full size with with no centre fold. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A half- block print showing a small bird (possibly a bush warbler) and plum blossom. . Published by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo) c. mid 1830s. Half-blocks were printed two-to-a-sheet and divided, either vertically or horizontally.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Utagawa seal.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A half-block print showing a sparrow and iris. Published by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo) c. mid 1830s. Half-blocks were printed two-to-a-sheet and divided, either vertically or horizontally.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Utagawa seal.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An uncut fan print. Moon from a setsugekka set of famous views of Edo. Shows the interior of a teahouse. Published 1849-53 by Ibaya Sensaburo.
Very good impression and colour. Restored centre bottom and other minor imperfections, but otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Very rare: Seemingly only two other impressions extant.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A chu-tanzaku showing a house swallow above a trailing yellow plant.
Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight browning, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige fude.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A tanzaku showing a rooster and hydrangea. Published by Kawaguchi Shozo, c. 1830s. Another impression is illustrated in Four Hundred Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints From The Museum Of Art, Rhode Island School Of Design, 1990, no. 121, p. 54. Hiroshige is best known for his landscapes, but he produced almost as many bird and flower prints.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An uncut fan print with title Shinkiro no zu which has a double meaning of being the Yoshiwara in the deep sea and also a chimera or mirage. The scene enclosed in a (dreaming ?) bivalve shows visitors in a watery Yoshiwara, all with fish heads. Of the utmost rarity: This appears to be the only impression known. There are also what appear to be keying marks on three sides that have not been removed. Published by Shinagawaya Kyusuke with censor seal for 1845.
Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige giga hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A small tanzaku showing bats flying against a full moon above a lumberyard. A poem reads: “The colour of the bats’ wings was born in darkness.” Published c. late 1830s. Rare: Another impression is illustrated in Japanese Prints IV – Hiroshige and the Utagawa school, the Rijksmuseum, 1984, 46 61:35, p. 35.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A chu-tanzaku showing sparrows and poppies. Published by Kawaguchiya Shozo, c. late 1830s. A poem: Tori tonde (tobite) / abunaki keshi no / hitoe kana, “ A bird flying by / poses danger to poppies / with single layers of petals.” The same poem is used on another chu-tanzaku showing a bluebird and poppies, see MET Museum, JP2532. Other impressions of this print are in Honolulu Museum of Art, 18009; MFA, Boston, 21.8018; Chazen, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1980.1887.
Very good impression and colour. Very small expertly restored wormholes, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A tanzaku showing a parrot perched on hanging ivy. Published c 1830s by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo).
Fine impression and colour. Centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A koi, carp (Cyprinus carpio) swimming amongst reeds. Poem by Makuzu. From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c. 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry group (probably the Shingyoku Circle) with judges’ names and with extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were made and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this second set was commissioned. This is the very rare first edition with the reeds printed. Block defect showing but with gradation still on belly of fish. One of the finest designs from the two series. Very rare. Kruml 12a/b.
Fine impression. Slight fading and edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Without centre fold (in itself rare as they often have them). Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A kami, crab (Charybois), and saba, mackerel (Scomber Japonicus), together with two flowers of morning glory. Poem by Shichichintei. This is the first edition (Kruml 19a). From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c. 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry group (probably the Shingyoku Circle) with judges’ names and with extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were made and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this second set was commissioned.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A Java sparrow on a clematis vine. A sanchogake format (three designs printed on a horizontal sheet and intended to be separated). Published c 1835-9. Rare.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. (There is an impression with a cube-shaped red Hiroshige seal which is the first state.)
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting, sumi and light colour on light green-coloured silk, 21.37 x 13.62 in; 51.8 x 34.7 cms. The location is unidentified but shows an inland sea with a promontory and shrine. A beautiful, lyrical landscape probably painted in Kaei era (1848-54). In good condition and has recently been remounted with a futo-maki wooden role. Signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size.
Click here to view image full size.
A pair of original kakejiku with two paintings on each. Possibly from the front and back cover pages of a first edition “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” set. Sumi and colour, image size of each painting 13.5 x 8.75 in; 34.25 x 22 cms. Shows top left a bowl with – possibly – turnips and a poem. Below a wicker basket and bowl with a miniature plum tree and an adonis plant (the most popular plants for the New Year). On the right, at the top are two chidori with poem and below a sake barrel and a plum branch. The bottom two paintings are signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal. In fact, there is another version of the chidori painting associated with a painting of a kago and lantern illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, Hiroshige – A Poetic Ukiyo-e Artist, Fukushima Minpo, 1971, no. 16. These are also possibly from the ends of a first edition set of prints. Hiroshige and Hiroshige II were known to make these paintings, presumably for special clients. Provenance: Ex Takeoka Toyota collection (1844-1931). The box dated (Taisho 11, 1922) and guaranteed by him. He was a famous collector from the Meiji to early Showa era. Paintings and mounts in very good condition.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting, sumi on paper, 35 x 11 in; 88.9 x 28 cms. A view of Matsuchiyama from Imadobashi with bands of low lying mist. This area is depicted on many Hiroshige prints. Painted c. 1850. In very good condition. The mounting cloth is wasarasa, Japanese batik, made at about the same time as this painting was made.
Signed Hiroshige hitsu with Ichiryusai seal.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting in sumi with touches of green and pale blue. Image size 50 x 17 in; 127 x 43.2 cms on paper. Shows the Mount Haruna area which also has Mount Myogi and Mount Akagi. Depicts the strange peaks surrounded by swirling mist and cloud. The region was formed more than 300,000 years ago in Gunma, eastern Honshu. Hiroshige designed a snow scene of the same area for the print set Sixty-odd Provinces of Japan published in 1853. Recently remounted and in very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Ichiryusai seal.
Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size.
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
A fine and important painting of the autumn moon at Ishiyama. Ishiyama Temple seen to the left and Seta Bridge to the right with Mount Fuji in the distance. The view is very close to that for the design Ishiyama no shugetsu, from the Omi Hakkei no uchi print set published c 1834 but the viewpoint moved round and slightly closer. The strange rocks which give their name to the temple are given prominence using a spontaneous brush. As with so much in Japan, the Eight Views theme comes from China and is based on the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang. Fine condition. Painted in sumi with light sumi and blue washes on ( the usual ) grey silk. Image size 16.25 x 23 in; 41.25 x 58.5 cms Fine new mount with futo-maki ( thick wooden roll to preserve the painting from damage ). New box. Signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting, sumi and very light blue on silk, 40 x 15.25 in; 101.6 x 38.7 cms. Shows the moon reflected in the Tama river with spring ayu (sweet water fish) swimming beneath Japanese papyrus growing in the water.
A beautiful painting. One small foxing mark, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu with Ichiryusai seal.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An important original Hiroshige painting. Sumi and colour on grey silk, 22.5 x 13.75 inches, 57 x 35 cms. An atmospheric scene showing an evening view at Tamegawa. Villagers hurrying home across a bridge to avoid an approaching thunderstorm. Lightning flashing above. This is a well known painting and has been illustrated in a number of books, including Ukiyo-e Art, Number 18, Memorial Exhibition of Hiroshige, The Japan Ukiyo-e Society, 1968, pl.20. Very good condition; fully mounted with double box and ivory ends. Signed Hiroshige fude with Ichiryusai seal. Hiroshige signature c. 1848- 52.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting, sumi and light colour on paper, image size 13.5 x 20 in; 34.3 x 50.8 cms. Shows the Shiraito no Taki waterfall at Hakone. The water, originating from Mount Fuji, flows over the edge of a 20 meter high cliff in thin white streams reminiscent of silk threads (hence the name Shiraito). Sold with the lid of a previous box which has a guarantee by Kazuo Inoue (a well known expert on Ukiyo-e [1889-1946] dated 1943 which gives the painting as having been done 1845-1848). In very good condition. Signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting, sumi and light colour on silk, 13.5 x 20.5 in; 34.5 x 52 cms. Shows the renowned Husband and Wife rocks, Meoto Iwa, “Married Couple Stones,” off Futami, Mie, Japan. At this time – c. late 1840s – many thin ropes were used to tie the couple together. They are now joined by a single large shimenawa – a rope of rice straw. The larger (male) rock called Izanagi has a small torii at the top. The smaller (female) rock is called Izanami. They are sacred to the Shinto religion and worshippers flock to the neighbouring Futami Okitama Shrine, which is dedicated to the food goddess Miketsu. The ancient Shinto custom of worshipping stones is called Iwakura. A fine Hiroshige painting.
Signed Hiroshige ga with large Ichiryusai seal. In good condition with interesting old mount.
Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size.
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A charming small painting in shijo style obviously from a gajo of such sketches. Shows a flowering plum branch loosely tied to another branch. Sumi and light colour on paper, 5.5 x 8 in; 14 x 20.25 cms. Signed Hiroshige ga with Ichiryusai seal. Slight centre fold (of course) otherwise good condition. Old mount with bamboo ends.
Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size.
Utgawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original drawing, being a preparatory sketch for a painting, sumi and red under-drawing on paper, mounted as a kakemono. Image size 10.5 x 13 in; 26.5 x 33 cms. An unusual view of the Husband and Wife rocks, Meoto Iwa, “Married Couple Stones,” off Futami, Mie, Japan. They are sacred to the Shinto religion and worshippers flock to the neighbouring Futami Okitama Shrine, which is dedicated to the food goddess Miketsu. In this drawing the emphasis is on the worshippers and travellers seen here in the centre and right.
In very good condition. A spurious signature and seal bottom right. There are others drawings with the same signature and seal on otherwise perfectly genuine works.
Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size.
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A fine original painting by Hiroshige I, sumi on silk, image size 38 x 12.5 in; 96.5 x 31.75 cms. Shows an avenue of trees leading to a small bridge beneath a torii; bands of mist, and, in the distance, another torii and a lake or open sea with sails. A beautiful composition. I have not been able to identify the location: It was not unknown for Hiroshige to paint imaginary landscapes or use poetic license.
Signed Hiroshige ga with Ichiryusai seal. In very good condition having been recently remounted.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting, sumi and light colour on silk, 14.5 x 22 in; 36.8 x 55.9 cms. Labelled on the right Hakone no kosui, “The Lake of Hakone.” Shows the reflection of Fuji in Lake Kawaguchi with the Misaka mountain range. A similar view could be seen from Lake Ashi. Hokusai produced a version for for the Thirty-six Views of Fuji set and this area was the subject of a number of Hiroshige prints. Signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal. In very good condition.
Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size.
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original fan painting mounted as a scroll. Shows a gorge with the fast flowing Nagatoro River in Musashi Province. (An area in western Saitama Prefecture northwest of Tokyo.) Sumi and light blue on paper, 7 x 20.5 in; 17.75 x 52 cms. Comes with a certificate from Aoki Shinzaburo (who had a large collection of Hiroshige drawings and paintings). In good condition. Signed Hiroshige with Ryusai seal.
Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size.
Click here to view image full size.
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An extremely rare aiban print showing a shimadai, grouper, (probably Chilodactylus zonatus) and an aji, horse-mackerel, (Caranx trachurus). From a set of eight prints of various fish published c. late 1830s.
Fine impression and colour. Slight soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold