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Tsukudajima hatsu hototogitsu, “The First Cuckoo at Tsukudajima Island” from Hiroshige’s first major landscape set of ten prints with title Toto meisho published by Shoeido c 1831-2. Shows a few boats off the Island in the Bay of Edo as seen from Eitai Bridge. To the right the Shiba district and on the left the tip of Honju Fukugawa. This is the rare first state with ochre border, graded blue on the water, and with the publisher’s name and address in right margin.

Fine impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold. Large margins with publisher’s name and address in right margin intact. ( It is often trimmed, eg the Pulverer impression, pl. 6, Hiroshige, Matthi Forrer, 1997. ) Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Masaki yukibare, “Clearing Weather After Snow.” A Toto meisho set of 21 prints published by Kikakudo ( Sanoki ) c 1832-5 and then extended to 55 in c 1839-42. Shows the temple on the far shore with boatmen navigating the river in the foreground. The scene under heavy snow.

Fine impression of the first edition with red Kikakudo seal in right margin ( later editions have the black seal of Sanoki ). Fine colour. Trimmed close on right side. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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The Urami Falls, Mt. Nikko, Shimotsuke Province. Shimotsuke, Nikkozan urami no taki. 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 ). The “Back-View” waterfall, so-called because it could be viewed from a path underneath.

Fine early impression with blind-printing on the water. The first edition has the falling water printed blue and other colour variations. ( See Pulverer impression in Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, 1996, no 27. ) However, this is one of those cases where the earliest state is not necessarily the preferred one. Fine colour. Slight edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Amanohashidate in Tango 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 12/1853 ). The sandbank extended about three kilometres into the Sea of Japan. With Miyajima and Matsushima, considered to be one of the three most beautiful spots in Japan..

Fine early impression. The first edition has variations in the clouds. ( See Pulverer impression in Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, 1996, no 38. ) Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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The Yoro waterfall in Mino Province. Mino Yoro no taki. 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 ). The fall was also depicted by Hokusai in his set of waterfalls.

Very fine early impression with strong woodgrain and blind-printing on the fall. The first edition has the falling water printed blue and other colour variations. ( See Pulverer impression in Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, 1996, no 23. ) The present state is preferred by some collectors. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Women bringing offerings to the great shrine in Izumo, Izumo, taisha hotohoto no zue. Hotohoto was a festival on the 14th day of the first month and children went around receiving rice cakes or small amounts of money. 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 12/1853 ). Izumo is the oldest shrine in Japan in the far south-east of Honshu. The colourful foreground figures contrast with the silhouettes of others and cryptomeria trees receding into the mist.

Fine early impression with nice wiped bokashi across the foreground ( missing on later editions ). The first edition has gradation on the gowns of two of the figures and the trees are hardly visible. ( See Pulverer impression in Rokujuyoshu Meisho Zue, Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo, 1996, no 42. ) Fine colour. Imperceptible centre fold. Very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Senju no Ohashi, “The Senju Great Bridge” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). The bridge which was built in 1594 connected Edo with Senju ( seen to the right ) over the Sumida ( Arakawa ) River. Ex collection P & L Warnock (seal au verso ).

Very fine impression of the first edition. Minor edge soil otherwise fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Mama no Momiji Tekona no Yashiro Tsugihashi, ” The Red Maples of Mama at Tekona Shrine” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being Snake 1, 1857 ). Shows russet-coloured leaves between the boughs of an old maple. In the distance ponds and rice fields stretching to the distant Tsukuba hills. One of the finest designs from the set. Ex Illing collection. This impression illustrated in Richard Illing, Japanese Prints, Phaidon, 1976, no. 93.

Fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Left margin shaved towards top but retaining black border, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Eitaibashi no zue, “Eitai Bridge” from an Edo meisho set published by Senichi, c 1840-42. An extremely rare set, obviously not popular as examples are only known in fine impression. ( Not listed in Edward Strange’s monograph on Hiroshige. ) Illustrated in colour, Tamba, The Art of Hiroshige, no. 36. Aiban.

Very fine impression. Fine colour. Minor backed wormage top right corner. Very full margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Heavy snow and visitors to the Shiba Jingu Palace 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. A rare snow scene.

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

Status: Sold

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A rare tanzaku from a Toto Meisho set showing Nihonbashi in snow. Edo Castle and Mount Fuji in the background forming a clever zig-zag composition. Published by Shogendo c. 1837-8. Illustrated in colour in Tsuneo Tamba, The Art of Hiroshige, pl. 32.

Very good impression and colour. Small repaired wormage top right edge, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Horikiri no hana shobu, “Flowering Irises at Horikiri” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). The village of Horikiri, situated up the Sumida River from Edo, was famous for growing irises, azaleas, morning glory and chrysanthemums. Large foreground images, such as the blooms here, was a popular compositional device used by Hiroshige and impressed and was picked-up by many French artists of the late 19th century. One of Hiroshige’s most popular prints.

Very good impression with strong woodgrain still evident in the sky and right iris. Fine colour and condition. Later editions have the right iris printed with solid colour. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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The one hundred thousand tsubo [ an area of measure ] plain, Suzaki, Fukagawa, from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). An eagle hovers over the snowy coastal plain at Suzaki with Mount Tsukuba and the Chiba mountains in the distance. This and the other similar designs from the set with large foreground objects were of particular interest to the Post Impressionists, and indeed, this design was considered by many collectors at the turn of the 19th century to be the finest print from the set. It is still judged to be one of the major designs.

Very good impression. Fine colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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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

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Atago shita Yabukoji, “Bamboo Lane below Atago Hill” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). A well known snow scene from the set.

Very good impression and condition. Fine colour. Totally untrimmed margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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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

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Horikiri no hana shobu, “Flowering Irises at Horikiri” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). The village of Horikiri, situated up the Sumida River from Edo, was famous for growing irises, azaleas, morning glory and chrysanthemums. Large foreground images, such as the blooms here, was a popular compositional device used by Hiroshige and impressed and was picked-up by many French artists of the late 19th century. One of Hiroshige’s most popular prints.

Very good impression with strong woodgrain still evident in the sky and right iris. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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The second triptych from a set Ise Meisho, Futamigaura no zu. Young girls sightseeing on the beach at Futami. In the background are the “Husband and Wife” rocks. The tasseled ropes indicate this is a Shinto site. This area was a popular tourist attraction. Published by Sanoki, 1847-1852. Rare.

Very fine impression. Perfect colour. Very slight trimming, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Hamamatsu from the “Reisho” Tokaido. So-called because of the titles written in formal script. The best Tokaido set after the Hoeido. Shows a pilgrim standing centre with sea-weed gatherers on right. Some boats out in a choppy sea. Published by Marusei c 1851-2. One of the five best designs from the set.

Fine impression and colour. Two paper flaws top left border, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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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

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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

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Fuchu from the “Reisho” Tokaido. So-called because of the titles written in formal
script. The best Tokaido set after the Hoeido. Shows travellers coming and going at the entrance to the licensed quarter of Fuchu, the old capital of Suruga Province, becoming Shizuoka City in 1868. Published by Marusei c1851-2. One of the five best designs from the set.

Fine impression, colour and condition. 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 c1851-2. 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 fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Full moon at Takanawa. A bijin seated beside her palanquin at a tea house. A mitate set: Edo Murasaki meisho Genji, “Murasaki’s Genji in Famous Places of Edo.” Based on the Genji Monogatari with stylised clouds above and below in Yamato-e style. Published by Kinseido c1849-53. A very rare set: Late impressions being unknown.

Fine impression and colour. Light crease in left and right margin, otherwise fine
condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: sold