Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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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
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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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
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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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
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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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
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Shows Ono no Komachi ( one of the Six Poets ) praying for rain. Title label reads: Ama koi Komachi. This is one of various presentments of Komachi’s known as the Seven Komachi. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon ( the same publisher as for the Suikoden ), c1837. A rare print not previously recorded by me.
Very good impression and colour. Small backed wormhole top right, otherwise very good condition. Full size. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Chusenko Teitokuson raises his sword with both hands in order to plunge it into the head of a giant snake. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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A heavily muscled and tattooed Roshi Ensei, one foot on the head of an adversary, lifts a huge beam. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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On a river bank a heavily tattooed Senkaji Choo is about to slay the enemy general Hotentei. Above him a supernatural flame plays over the rushing water. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A night scene with Kojoso Jisen leaning down from a tree and shining a large lantern over a wall. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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A heavily tattooed Konkoryu Rishun heaves an adversary over his shoulders into a boat while floating in the sea. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Rurihakucho Chojun, half-naked and tattooed with a sword between his teeth, forces apart the bars of a water-gate. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Two foes grappling underwater – possibly Tammeijiro Genshogo and an armoured foeman. From a series ( ? ) enigmatically titled Tosei nama ningyo, “Living Dolls in Modern Days”. Perhaps these are quite literally dolls. Published by Hori Takichi, Dragon 2 ( 1856 ). Not recorded by Robinson.
Fine impression and colour. Bottom right corner repaired, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Makibashira. Sagi-no-ike Heikuro wrestling a giant python in the mountains from the set: Japanese and Chinese Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji. Robinson S88.31. Published by Ise-Yoshi, 1855-56. One of Kuniyoshi’s finest designs.
Very fine impression of the first edition. Mica on the python. Perfect colour. Margins slightly trimmed but otherwise fine. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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A rare triptych showing the fight between Ushiwaka Maru ( Yoshitsune ) and Benkei on Gojo Bridge in 1170. One of Kuniyshi’s finest designs. Published by Fujioka-ya Hikotaro c 1840.
Very good impression: First edition with the strong gradation on the wooden pillars of the bridge. Very good colour. Minor soil and other small marks, but generally very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Takeda Sama-no-suke Nobushige from the set Koetsu yusho den “ Stories of Courageous Warriors from the Koetsu Region”. Shows Nobushige enveloped in a cloud of battle smoke. One of the two best designs from the set. Published by Sumiyoshi-ya Masagoro c1848-9.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Umegaya, Kajiwara Genda Kagesuye fighting at Ikuta-no-mori from the set Buyu nazoraye Genji, “Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji”, published by Iba-ya Sensaburo, c.1843. Robinson S28.32. O-tanzako format.
Very good impression and colour. Slightly trimmed top and bottom. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Nakamura Kansuke Masatatsu warding off a brazier of hot ashes from the set Seicho gishi shozo, “Portraits of the Faithful Samurai of True Loyalty”. Robinson S78.6. Published 1853 by Sumiyoshi-ya Masagoro. The set characterised by strong westernised effects.
Very good impression and colour. Extensive sprayed pigment to simulate falling ash. Very small binding holes and slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Triptych showing the Taira ghosts attacking Yoshitsune’s ship amid huge waves. One of Kuniyoshi’s favourite subjects and an extremely fine and rare design. Published c.1850.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Hatsuhana doing penance under the Tonozawa Waterfall fulfilling a vow made on behalf of our sick husband. The best design from Stories of Wise and Virtuous Women. Published c.1842 by Ibaya Sensaburo.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming at bottom and small repaired wormholes at edge, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Fuse-hime saving the child Masashi from a thunderbolt from “Eight Hundred Heroes of our Country’s Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c.1836. Robinson S4c.3.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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An extremely rare surimono. ( I have only located one other impression at the present moment: no. 192, p. 178, Heroes & Ghosts, Hotei publishing, 1998.) Shows Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in Shibaraku role. The voluminous robe and huge mon gives rise to some of the most dramatic and abstract designs in ukiyo-e. Published c.1830.
Fine impression with burnishing. Very good colour. Minimal soil and creasing. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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An excessively rare surimono, no.3 from a set Fuzoku onna Suikoden, “The Suikoden in the Customs of Women”. Shows a girl sitting on the shore, pipe in hand and her tobacco pouch on the side of a basket. Published for the Taikogawa poetry club, c1829. Ex Vever collection. Impressions from this set are nearly always copies.
Very fine impression with extensive silver and gold. Granules of gold ( actually brass ) scattered over the beach to simulate sand. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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An uncut double chuban sheet with a title which appears to read: Yatsuatari doke komori, “Bats Blaming Each Other” but given the title “Bats Comic” by Japanese sources. A set of eight chuban prints published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1846. Excessively rare. The bottom sheet has an unidentified subject. Unrecorded ? And the top chuban seems to show a [ bat ] parody of the Chushingura. Unrecorded ?
Fine impressions and colour. Small backed binding holes and slight soil to corner. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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An uncut double chuban sheet with a title which appears to read: Yatsuatari doke komori, “Bats Blaming Each Other” but given the title “Bats Comic” by Japanese sources. A set of eight chuban prints published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1846. Excessively rare. The bottom design appears to show a [ bat ] Daimyo and female [ bat ] attendants. Unrecorded ? The top chuban shows Sukeroku, illustrated no. 249 in Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Exhibition to Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s Birth, Japan 1996. Same impression also illustrated in Kuniyoshi, Juzo Suzuki, Tokyo 1992, pl. 435.
Fine impressions and colour. Small backed binding holes and slight soil to corner. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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An uncut double chuban sheet with a title which appears to read: Yatsuatari doke komori, “Bats Blaming Each Other” but given the title “Bats Comic” by Japanese sources. A set of eight chuban prints published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1846. Excessively rare. The bottom design shows the stone steps at Toba. An impression illustrated in Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Exhibition to Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s Birth, Japan 1996, no. 250. The top design appears to show a [ bat ] entertainer with a [ bat ] monkey. Unrecorded ?
Fine impressions and colour. Small backed binding holes and minor corner soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Figures with bizarre heads from a rare set of prints Tsukumono ken, Rock, paper, scissors by things “tsuku” ( a form of game song ). Published by Iba-ya Sensaburo, 1847/8.
Fine impression and colour. Small binding holes down edge, otherwise good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Figures with bizarre heads from a rare set of prints Tsukumono ken, Rock, paper, scissors by things “tsuku” ( a form of game song ). Published by Yebi-ya Rinnosuke, 1847/8.
Fine impression and colour. Small binding holes down edge, otherwise good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi giga.
Status: Sold
Attributed to Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A giga print called Ue-shita-e. These designs can be viewed upside down. Depicts various faces including a frog; tengu; the great general Zhanghi in the Three Kingdoms, and the tyrant King Zhou of the Yin Dynasty. Published by Ezakiya Tatsuzo, c 1842. Another impression ( from the Museum of Paper, and attributed to Kuniyoshi ) is illustrated in Edo no Asobi-e, no.2 and back cover. Rare.
Very good impression and colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise good condition.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Triptych showing the opening of the new Ryokoku Bridge which took place Hare year (1855), 11th month, 23rd day. An interesting print showing leading dignitaries of the day walking across the bridge. Print published by Iba-ya Sensaburo, 1855.
Very good impression. colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A beauty leaning on a cloth from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. The inset view here shows mackerel being caught in Noto Province. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.
Very fine impression and colour. Fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A beauty in sumptuous clothing from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. The inset view here shows oyster collecting in Aki Province. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.
Superb impression, very fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A beauty in sumptuous clothing from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. The inset view here shows sap collecting for making lacquer in Koshu Province. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.
Superb impression, very fine colour and condition with strong burnishing on collar. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )
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An original shita-e drawing illustrating the play Sumidagawa Tsui no Kagamon performed at the Ichimura-za from the 3rd of the 3rd month, 1852. The drawing has the date seal for the 2nd month, 1852. From the right it shows Sawamura Chojuro V as Suzuki Mondo; Bando Shuka I as Shiraito of the Hashimoto-ya; an unidentified actor as the clerk Zenroku; an unidentified child actor as the daughter Oyone; and Onoe Kikujiro II as Mondo’s wife Oyaso. There is also a diagonal inscription on centre and right sheets that does not seem to have any bearing on the design. Publisher’s seal Iseya Chu…, of Shiba, Shimmeimaye. Centre sheet also has Kuniyoshi’s red Kiri seal. Laid onto Japanese paper. In good condition. Sold “as is.” Rare: I am not sure if this was ever made into a print. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
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Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A beauty having taken a bath wears a loose fitting yukata with a tenugui slung over one shoulder. She is about to brush her teeth. From Kuniyoshi’s finest set of fan prints. An untitled series of at least six designs showing young women in a state of dishabille at their toilette in front of mirrors, the corners partly concealed with cloth covers. Published c 1843-5 by Ibaya Sensaburo. For obvious reasons, uncut uchiwa-e are scarce. Indeed, this example might be unique. The other known prints from this rare set are: 1) A beauty powdering her face; 2) A beauty shaving her forehead; 3) A beauty suckling a child; 4) A beauty adjusting her hair with scissors; 5) A beauty playing with a cat.
Very good impression and colour. Slight soil top and bottom right corners, otherwise good condition. Uncut. The rich blue grounds on this series have added mica. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A vertical diptych of a salt-water gatherer. These girls are often depicted in ukiyoe and seem to have held a fascination with the public akin to that for ama divers. Published by Jimpachi, c 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Sheets separated. Minor signs of being mounted around edge, otherwise good condition. ( These vertical diptychs of this date and earlier were usually mounted onto inexpensive paper mounts. A poor man’s version of kakemono paintings. ) Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A beauty in sumptuous clothing from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. This is number 3, Tamba, and shows men fishing at night with the aid of flares. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.
Very fine impression and colour with strong burnishing on collar. Fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A beauty reading a program while a cat dozes beside her. From a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. This is number 19. Catching octopuses, Takasago in Banshu [Harima] Province. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.
Very good impression and colour. The cat’s fur blind-printed. Light album backing, otherwise good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Token Gonbei using a mirror to pluck his forehead (hitai). The style became known as Token hitai. From a set: Kuniyoshi moyo shofuda tsuki genkin otoko, “Men of Ready Money with True Labels Attached, Kuniyoshi Style.” These otokodates (a word that is difficult to translate but was a chivalrous commoner, a fashionable man-about-town, street-wise and ready to assist the oppressed). Gonbei is said to have beaten a barking token (Dutch hunting dog) to death with his bare hands – thus he got his name. Published c 1845 by Iba-ya Kyubei.
Very fine impression. Fine colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Sasai Kyuzo Masayasu (Sakai Kyuzo Narashige) enveloped in smoke and disintegrating before a volley of musketry at the battle of the Anegawa (1570). From the set Taiheiki yeiyuden, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki. A history of the wars of the loyalist Nitta and Kusunoki families against the Ashikaga war-lords during the second quarter of the fourteenth century. But in fact the subject of this set of fifty prints (this being 12, but not numbered) is the civil war of the late 16th century. Censorship restrictions imposed in the 1840s prevented publishers from illustrating historical subjects from the Tensho era 1573-92 onwards, so the publishers circumvented this by slightly altering the names of the historical figures. Published 1848-9 by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi. Robinson S62.36. The best design from the set.
Fine early impression. Fine colour. Slight nibbling to left edge, otherwise very good condition. Fine impression. Fine colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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An uchiwa-e ( fan print ) showing a young girl leaning over the side of a boat and wetting a towel. “Cool” from a set of six prints: Imayo rokkasen, “Six Modern Choises for Summer”. Published 2/1853. Unidentified publisher.
Superb impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold