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Mount Haruna in snow, Kozuke Province.One of the best designs from Rokuju yoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” The series published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 7/1853 and 3/1856 (this being 8/1853).

Very good impression and colour. Margins trimmed a little, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

Masaki yukibare no zu, “Clear Weather After Snow at Masaki” from a Toto Meisho, “Famous Sights of the Eastern Capital” set published by Kikakudo (Sanoki), the seal in red in right margin c 1832-35. There is confusion over how many prints belong to this series: The original set of twenty-one prints seems to have been extended to fifty-five in c 1839-42. The temple, under a deep layer of snow, is shown on the far shore. In the foreground two figures in yellow straw coats navigate the river.

Very fine impression. Fine colour. Later editions have the black seal of Sanoki in right margin. Very slight centre fold and two backed pinholes; trimmed just on the black title slip on right, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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The Sanza Theatre, Saruwaka-cho showing women on the balcony of a tea-house overlooking the street from an oban set Edo Meisho of approx. 45 prints published by Yamada-ya, 1853 – 1858, half being published in 1853. This design published 1858.

Fine impression and colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Masaki yukibare no zu, “Clear Weather After Snow at Masaki” from a Toto Meisho, “Famous Sights of the Eastern Capital” set published by Kikakudo (Sanoki), the seal in red in right margin c 1832-35. There is confusion over how many prints belong to this series: The original set of twenty-one prints seems to have been extended to fifty-five in c 1839-42. The temple, under a deep layer of snow, is shown on the far shore. In the foreground two figures in yellow straw coats navigate the river. This is the best example of this design I have seen since the impression in my Catalogue 7, 1971, no 12.

Very fine impression and colour. Later editions have the black seal of Sanoki in right margin. Fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Kawaguchi no watashi Zenkoji, “Ferryboats to Zenkoji Temple at Kawaguchi” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published between 1856 and 1858 (this being 1857) by Uoya Eikichi. This fine example of a first edition with the extra large margins has never been in an album.

Superb impression of the first edition with beautiful bokashi and mica. Very fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Numazu, Shizuoka Prefecture, from the  so-called “Upright Tokaido”, Gojusan tsugi meisho zue. The 12th of the 53 Stations. At its peak in Edo times the town had 1200 buildings. It is now Numazu City. The old adage that familiarity breeds contempt certainly applies to this set, which was reprinted many times. Early printings, as here, enable us to appreciate this underrated series. One of the two snow scenes from the set showing figures crossing one of two trestle bridges. Published by Tsutaya, 1855.

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

Status: Sold

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Kameido Tenmangu keidai no yuki, “The Compound of the Tenman Shrine at Kameido in Snow.” From a set of twenty-one prints Toto meisho, “Famous Views in the Eastern Capital” published by Sanoya Kihei, c. 1834-5. The series was extended to fifty-five in c.1839-42. One of the most famous places in Edo. Known for its pergola, two drum bridges, koi ponds and the wisteria which flowered in the fifth month. The main shrine is dedicated to the memory of Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin), the father of Japanese learning and built in 1662. The design comes in various states: Late editions have a black sky and the red publisher’s seal on right margin, is replaced with an abbreviated Sanoki seal in black. Even later editions show a slipping plug becoming evident on the edge of the water, centre left.

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

Status: Sold

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Kozuke, Harunasan setchu, “Kozuke [Province], Mount Haruna Under Snow.” From the set of sixty-nine prints, Rokuju-yoshu meisho zue, “Views of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” Published 1856 by Koshihei, although sealed between 1853-56 (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.

Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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The cantilevered Monkey Bridge from Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Views in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke 1853-6 (this being 1853). This bridge – one of the three most famous bridges in Japan – is situated in Otsuki and purports to be 1300 years old (albeit rebuilt many times).

Fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Trimmed close, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Asakusa Kinryuzan, “Kinryuzan Temple at Asakusa” Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo.” The view shown by Hiroshige is through the Kaminarimon gateway with the large hanging lantern after a heavy snowfall. The great temple, which still stands, was in the northern part of Edo, not far from the Yoshiwara. Published by Uoya Eikichi who published the set between 1856 – 1858 (this being 1856). There are 118 prints in the set plus a replacement design by Hiroshige II. This is one of Hiroshige’s best known designs.

Very good impression, colour and condition. Grain showing on the red wooden post at left and the lines still crisp. On later editions the red and green pigment gets cruder and the sky darker. And even later a slipping plug becomes evident in the blue area at bottom, below the black line at left. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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The Lumberyard, Fukagawa, from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo.” Shows snow falling on the timber yards lining a river. An umbrella in the foreground is inscribed Uo, “Fish” – a reference to the publisher Uoya Eikichi who published the set between 1856 – 1858 (this being 1856). There are 118 prints in the set plus a replacement design by Hiroshige II. A large supply of timber was needed for the world’s largest wooden city. However, in 1641 a fire destroyed not only houses but the lumber which was then stored in a central area causing the government to move the yards to Fukagawa.

Very good impression, still with the lighter sky: Late editions have a black sky. Very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold