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A fine and very rare vertical triptych of Mongaku ( Endo Morito, c. 1120 – 1200 ) subjecting himself to three years penance as a Buddhist monk beneath the waterfall of Mount Nachi in Kii Province. Morito inflicted this punishment on himself because he had inadvertently cut off the head of Kesa Gozen, the wife of the palace guard Watanabe Wataru, with whom he was in love. At the top of the design is Fudo Myo-o, the guardian deity of waterfalls, and at the bottom and top right are Seitaka and Kongara ( doji of Fudo ). This subject lends itself to some wonderful designs: See this website for a rare horizontal triptych by Yoshitoshi , and there are many single sheets by various artists. The vertical triptych format is rare: It was more convenient to view prints in the horizontal and it was difficult to insert into albums, the top sheets having to be heavily trimmed to fit. ( This impression is as published – completely untrimmed. ) Published by Sumiyoshiya Masagoro, c. 1851. Ex B. W. Robinson collection. This impression illustrated in his book Kuniyoshi, The Warrior Prints, 1982, pl. 64 ( Robinson T253 ). Another example of the same state – ex Pulverer collection – is illustrated in Heroes and Ghosts, Robert Schaap, p. 1998, no. 87, p. 102.

Fine impression and colour. Minor creases, otherwise very good condition. Untrimmed with extra paper for the sheets to join. There are two states of the print: As here with an extra block printing the waves at base of fall, and without. Both are known as fine impressions, although the version without appears to be slightly earlier. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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The otokodate Goshaku Somegoro playing a bamboo flute ( shakuhachi ) from Kuniyoshi moyo shofuda tsuketari genkin otoko, ” Typical Types of Manly Fellows in Kuniyoshi’s Style.” A fine set of portraits of chivalrous commoners published by Ibaya Kyubei, 1845. This is the actual impression illustrated in Heroes and Ghosts, Robert Schaap, 1998, no. 59, p. 81.

Fine impression and colour. Minor trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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A fine and rare print showing the diving girl escaping with the Dragon King’s jewel. There were a number of prints designed by Kuniyoshi of this subject which lends itself to fine compositions. She is being chased by the Dragon, fish and octopuses. Published 1844 by Tsutaya. The first issue of this print by Tsutaya was around 1838 – 41 ( with the censor seal printed in black ). However, this is one of the rare examples where the reissue was superior to the original: With gradation on the Dragon and better colouration in the water.

Very good impression and colour. Trimmed round and minor edge wormage. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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Yorimasa’s retainer, Hayata Tadazumi, despatching the Nue with his sword amongst thunder and lightning. The Nue ( a composite beast, as big as a house with monkey’s head, back of badger, claws of tiger, scales of dragon and tail of snake ) was shot by the skilled archer Yorimasa on the roof of the Shishinden Palace. One of the finest designs from Honcho Suikoden goyu happyakunin no hitori, “Eight Hundred Heroes of our Country’s Suikoden, One by One.” Robinson S4.6. Published by Kagaya Kichiyemon, c. 1830.

Very good impression and colour. Full size. Slight edge soil. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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Sagino-ike Heikuro grappling with a huge serpent at the lake of Sayama, Tondabayashi, in the Province of Kawachi from Honcho Suikoden goyu happyakunin no hitori, the “Eight Hundred Heroes of our Country’s Suikoden, One by One.” Published 1830s by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon ( but this issued by Iba-ya Sensaburo a little later ). A wonderful design.

Very good impression and colour. Small restored wormhole, otherwise very good condition. Totally untrimmed with extra paper. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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The grand wrestling match between Kawazo Saburo Sukeyasu ( right ) and Matano Goro Kagehisa. In the background can be seen the first Kamakura shogun Yoritomo and his entourage. The event took place at Akazawa mountain in 1176 and is probably the most famous sumo match, also giving rise to a new manoeuvre called the “Kawazu hold.” One of Kuniyoshi’s great triptychs; much sought after and rare. By luck the original preparatory drawing for this triptych has survived and is in the Rijksmuseum voor Volkenkunde, Leiden. See Heroes and Ghosts, Hotei publishing, 1998, no.156, p.148. Published 1858 by Maruya Kyushiro.

Fine, early impression. Fine colour. Minor edge damage expertly repaired, otherwise very good condition. Full size. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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Raiko and his retainers attacking the enormous reclining hulk Shuten-doji ( “Great Drunkard Boy” ) who is in a drunken stupor. Raiko eventually cuts off the monster’s head and returns in triumph to Kyoto. One of Kuniyosh’s best designs. Published c.1851-2 by Amatsu. Robinson T261. Rare.

Very good impression and colour. Minor marks and creasing but generally good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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The complete set of six chuban diptychs: Oguri ju-yushi no ichi-nin, “The Ten Brave
Retainers of Oguri, One by One.” Robinson S26. Published by Yawata-ya Sakujiro, c.1843. Rare complete.

Fine impressions and colour. Minor marks and soil. Each print signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi
ga.

Status: Sold

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Nichiren struggling up a snow-covered mountain near Tsukahara on the Island of Sado. The best design from Koso goichidai ryakuza, the “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder.” Published by Iseya Rihei, c 1831. Like many great landscapes, there exist different states which causes confusion over which is the earliest. The basic difference is that the design is known with and without a horizon line and that there is at least one impression where the uninked, blind-printed line can be seen in a raked light. It has been asserted that those impressions without are the earliest; however, it seems from this that the sumi block was probably cut initially with the line but the publishers quickly realised it looked aesthetically better without printing it, and it was subsequently removed. In any case, this is an extremely rare print and most surviving examples appear to be similar in impression. There is a break in the border to the left of the bottom of Kuniyoshi’s signature which could give a guide to the earliest states, but as this is often painted in, it is not reliable. The print offered here is printed with the mountain coloured brown and the overall effect is more dramatic than other impressions and appears to be the only such example, being the one illustrated in various publications. The composition is based on a design in the illustrated book Bunpo sansui gafu by Kawamura Bunpo, published posthumously in 1824. Although not from a landscape set this is considered one of the great 19th century landscapes. Provenance: Ex collection Willibald Netto, Dusseldorf, Germany.

Very good impression and colour with extensive splashed gofun ( now oxidised ). Minor marks and edge soil. Small repair top right corner, but generally very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi hitsu.

Status: Sold

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Mitsukuni ( Otaketaro ) defying the skeleton-spectre in the castle Soma no furugosho. One of the iconic Kuniyoshi designs and considered by many to be his finest. Illustrated in numerous publications. Mitsukuni was a principal retainer of Taira no Masakado. After his death his daughter, Takiyasha, went to live in the haunted castle. She was able to summon up the apparitions at will, but the old servant, Mitsukuni, had the ability to defy them until they disappeared. Published 1845. Ex Theodore Scheiwe collection, Part 1, March 21st, 1989, lot 211.

Very good impression. Slight fading. Edge repair bottom left corner last sheet. One or two other minor repairs. Slightly trimmed, principly at top. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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The priest Nichiren having his prayers for rain answered. The second best design from Koso goichidai ryakuzu, “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder”. This event happened at Ryozengasaki in Kamakura in 1271. Nichiren was the founder of the Buddhist Nichiren sect ( Nichiren shu – Kuniyoshi being a follower ) and indeed the set of ten prints may have been commissioned to mark the 550th anniversary of his death. Published c 1831 by Iseya Rihei.

Very fine impression of the earliest printing. Fine colour. Extra large margins. ( This design is notorious for having the umbrella trimmed off and/or the title in right margin. ) Very minimal soil bottom right margin, otherwise fine condition. The best example of this fine design I have ever seen. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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Gomo ( Wu Meng ) carrying a smoking pot to keep the mosquitoes away from his father from the set Nijushi-ko doji kagami, “Mirror of the Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety”. The set published by Wakasa-ya Yoichi, c 1840. Each print shows an example of a child’s exemplary behaviour in looking after their aged parents. There is a strong western influence in this set. Robinson S13.13.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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Rikuseki ( Lu Chi ) stoops to pick up money for his aged father from the set Nijushi-ko doji kagami, “Mirror of the Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety”. The set published by Wakasa-ya Yoichi, c 1840. Each print shows an example of a child’s exemplary behaviour in looking after their aged parents There is a strong western influence in this set. Robinson S13.12.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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Doji Yoshiharu ( Horio Yoshiharu ) overthrowing a giant boar watched by warriors top right. Published by Tajima-ya, c 1847-50. Robinson T202.

Very fine impression with mica and splashed gofun. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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Station 41, Kuwana, from the Tokaido gojusan tsui, Robinson 42. The apparition of the Sea-Monk looming above the sea-captain. The best design from the set. Illustrated in Robinson, pl 49. Published c1845 by Kojima.

Fine, early impression with perfect bokashi on the ghost. Fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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The complete set ( two showing ) of 12 prints, tipped-in to a Japanese album, of the set “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Suikoden”. Second edition published by Ibaya Sensaburo c 1845. Very rare complete. Robinson, Kuniyoshi ( 1982 ) S3.

Good to very good impressions. Very good colour. Some slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Each sheet signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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A triptych showing Tawara Toda Hidesato riding a giant turtle and escorted by a multitude of fish, crabs, lobsters and octopuses. He is being led away from the Palace of the Dragon King, who he has helped by killing, with an arrow, the terrible centipede, Mukade. The Dragon King ( Ryujin ) rewards him with a roll of silk which could not be shortened by cutting; a bag of rice which could not be exhausted; a cooking pot which would cook food without fire, and a great bronze bell. ( This is the bell that Hidesato presents to the monastery of Miidera from whence it was later stolen by Benkei. ) Published by Maruya Kyushiro, 1858.

Extremely fine, early impression with fine colour. Very slight trimming to first sheet, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold

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Tokiwa Gozen taking flight from the village of Ryumon into the snowy Yoshino mountains. She flees with her three children. From the set: Kenjo reppuden, “Stories of Wise and Virtuous Women”. Published by Ibaya Sensaburo c1841-2. First state with bokashi above. The best design from the set and often reproduced.

Very good impression and colour. Light album backing. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

Status: Sold