Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)


Ichiyusai-KUNIYOSHI-1797-1861-beauties46

 Click here to view image full size.

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

    Tags: , , ,

     

    Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)


    Ichiyusai-KUNIYOSHI-1797-1861-beauties28

     Click here to view image full size.

    Chapter 51, Ukifune, from Nazoraye Genji kyokun dzuye, “Illustrations of Moral Conduct Compared with the Chapters of Genji”. A girl holding an umbrella on a snow covered bridge. Published by Maru-ya Jimpachi c1843. One of the best designs from the set.

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

    Status: Sold

      Tags: , ,

       

      Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)


      Ichiyusai-KUNIYOSHI-1797-1861-beauties27

       Click here to view image full size.

      Chapter 41, Maboroshi, from Nazoraye Genji kyokun dzuye, “Illustrations of Moral Conduct Compared with the Chapters of Genji”. A girl watches returning geese against a full moon. Published by Maru-ya Jimpachi c1843. One of the best designs from the set.

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

      Status: Sold

        Tags: , ,

         

        Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)



         Click here to view image full size.

        An important album of 26 original sumi shijo-style drawings by Kuniyoshi folding out to 10.5 x 15.5 in; 26.5 x 39.5 cms. Various subjects. Red kiri seal on last drawing of Hotei and Kuniyoshi signature pasted onto end of album ( signature c 1847 ). The only similar album by Kuniyoshi I have seen was one I sold about 20 years ago. An important addition for any Kuniyoshi collection. Some stains and minor marks, but generally good condition.

        Status: Sold




         Click here to view image full size.




         Click here to view image full size.




         Click here to view image full size.




         Click here to view image full size.




         Click here to view image full size.




         Click here to view image full size.




         Click here to view image full size.




         Click here to view image full size.




         Click here to view image full size.




         Click here to view image full size.

          Tags: , ,

           

          Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)



           Click here to view image full size.

          A beauty powdering her face. From Kuniyoshi’s finest set of fan prints. An untitled series of at least eight 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, there appears to be only one other impression of this design illustrated in an Exhibition of Ukiyo-e by Kuniyoshi, Riccar Art Museum, 1978, no. 172 and elsewhere ( from the Museum of Fine Arts, Bidwell Collection, Springfield USA ). The other known prints from this rare set are: 1) A beauty applying rouge to her lips; 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; 6) A beauty combing her hair; 7) A beauty about to brush her teeth.

          Very good impression and colour. One small repaired wormhole, otherwise good condition. Uncut. The rich blue grounds on this series have added mica. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

          Status: Sold

            Tags: , , ,

             

            Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )



             Click here to view image full size.

            One print from a set of four with title Miburi juni omoi gatsu, “Gestures for the Twelve Months.” Each “gesture” or “caricature” is being performed by a Kabuki actor: So here the 6th month is Nakamura Tsuruzo imitating the serpent of Mt Fuji ( upper right ); 7th month is Otani Tomoemon IV as the gargoyle Onigawara ( lower left ); 8th month is Ichikawa Kuzo II as the turtle-like water sprite Enko ( lower right ); 9th month is Onoe Kikujiro II as the chrysanthemum butterfly. Published c 1847-48 by Ebisuya Shoshichi. Rare.

            Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi giga, “Drawn for fun.”

            Status: Sold

              Tags: , ,

               

              Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)


               Click here to view image full size.

              A poem by the Heian waka poet Fujiwara no Okikaze , one of the Thirty-Six Immortals of poetry. Shows the poet with a lantern walking along the shore of Takasago Bay past one of the famous pines, all in heavy rain. His famous poem refers to the pine. From a set Hyaku-nin isshu, “The Hundred Poets.” The series published by Yebi-Ne, 1840-2.

               

              Fine impression. (This appears to be the first edition with the pine printed lightly in two tones.) Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

               

              Status: Sold

               

                Tags: , ,

                 

                Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)



                 Click here to view image full size.

                Morozumi Masakiyo, Lord of Bungo, and retainer of the Takeda being blown up by a cannonball or landmine whilst committing suicide with his sword. The best design from a set Koetsu yusho den, “Biographies of Brave Generals from the Provinces of Kai and Echigo.” The series shows heroic acts during battles that took place between the troops of Takeda Shungen of Kai Province and Kenshin Tora of Echigo Province during 1553-1564 at Kawanakajima. Published by Sumiyoshiya Masagoro, c 1849. Illustrated in colour, Robinson, Kuniyoshi The Warrior-Prints, Phaidon, 1982, pl. 20, S63.9 and elsewhere. One of Kuniyoshi’s finest oban designs.

                 

                Very good impression. Some oxidation, otherwise very good colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                 

                Status: Available

                 

                  Tags: , ,

                   

                  Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)



                   Click here to view image full size.

                  Nitta Tadatsune encountering the goddess of Mount Fuji and her dragon in a cavern with numerous stalactites and a fast flowing river and waterfall. She complimented Tadatsune on his courage while his compatriots were stricken with terror. Statues of the goddess Kwannon ( Chin: Guanyin ) are often found in caves. Published by Tsuji-ya Yasubei, c. 1844. Robinson T143. A fine design.

                  Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                  Status: Sold

                    Tags: , ,

                     

                    Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



                     Click here to view image full size.

                    Evening Rain at Karasaki, Karasaki no yau, the finest design from the set: Omi hakkei no uchi, “Eight Views in Omi Province.” The series of eight prints was published by Hoeido and Eikyudo, c. 1834-5. When first published it was advertised as a “work in black and white, lightly coloured, “ and Hiroshige was never to surpass the ethereal quality that these figureless landscapes possess. The theme “Eight Views” was borrowed from Chinese poetry and each print conveys pictorially the poem written in the square label at the top right. Beside it, in a red label, is the series title. The designs for the set are known in various states and there are variations in colouring and gradation. This is particularly relevant to this design and there is dispute as to which is the earliest state. In fact the first printing appears to be the Yan Buhl impression illustrated in Hiroshige, Hotei publishing, 2008, no. 48, p. 54: the kiwame seal on this example is higher than on all other printings ( presuming no remargining, which does not appear to be the case ); the break on the top of the right rigging of the tallest boat, far right, is not evident, and the gradation on the pine is across the top and down towards the bottom right. Many of these great designs seemed to inspire the publishers and/or printers to experiment with different colour schemes and gradation. ( As with the Kuniyoshi Nichiren in snow on this website. ) Later states had gradation completely across top of pine; down left side only; or with gradation from the bottom up, and a green version is also known. The later editions also had the area around the Hoeido seal cleared so that the rain did not intrude. The old pine no longer exists and was replaced with another. One of the finest 19th century landscapes. An almost abstract composition which transcends the usual views of the countryside that the curious Edo public bought and the views of the capital purchased as souvenirs, to reach a completely different aesthetic.

                    Fine, early impression with the gradation at top of pine and down towards right. Very good colour. Minor restoration, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                    Status: Sold

                      Tags: , ,

                       

                      Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



                       Click here to view image full size.

                      Oyama, Roben no taki from Sankai mitate sumo, “Mountains and Sea Contending Like Wrestlers.” The set of twenty prints – ten of mountains and ten of harbours – has the title in an umpire’s fan used for wrestling matches. The Roben Waterfall was very popular with pilgrims visiting the shrine in summer. How popular can be judged by looking at Kuniyoshi’s triptych of this subject ( see Kuniyoshi, Juzo Suzuki, 1992, plate 12 ). This design is the second best, after the snow scene, from the set. The first edition with variegated cartouche. Published Horse 7 and 8, 1858 by Yamadaya.

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

                      Status: Sold

                        Tags: , ,

                         

                        Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



                         Click here to view image full size.

                        An original preparatory sketch for a design from the set: Fifty-three Paired Stations on the Tokaido Highway A joint publication with Kunisada and Kuniyoshi published c 1845. This being Eijiri ( Station 19 ) and shows the pine Hagoromo-no Matsu on which an angel left her feather coat. It was taken by a peasant and in order to retrieve it the angel married the peasant until such time as she could get it back and fly away. Fuji in the distance. Sumi on thin paper. 14 x 10 in., 36 x 25.5 cms.

                        Status: Sold

                          Tags: , ,

                           

                          Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



                           Click here to view image full size.

                          An original preparatory drawing for a print. Possibly an unused design for the set: Fifty-three Paired Stations on the Tokaido Highway. ( There is another study for the set in the collection. ) A joint set together with Kunisada and Kuniyoshi published c 1845. Shows porters and below two female travellers. Sumi and pentimenti on thin paper. 9.5 x 9.75 in., 24.5 x 25 cms. Fully signed Hiroshige hitsu.

                          Status: Sold

                            Tags: , ,

                             

                            Selected Reference Titles

                            Listed here are selected titles of reference books that I refer to most regularly – this is not an exhaustive list!

                             

                            Asano, Shugo and Clark, Timothy, The Passionate Art of Kitagaway Utamaro, Asahi Shimbun, 1995

                            Forrer, Matthi and Goncourt, Edmond de, Hokusai, Rizzoli International Publications, 1988

                            Gentles, Margarent O., The Clarence Buckingham Collection of Japanese Prints, Volume 2 Haranobu, Koryusai,Shigemasa, their followers and contemporaries , The Art Institute of Chicago, 1955

                            Gunsaulus, Helen C., The Clarence Buckingham Collection of Japanese Prints, Volume 1 The Primitives, The Art Institute of Chicago, 1955

                            Hillier, Jack, The uninhibited brush, Japanese Art in the Shijo Style, Hugh M. Moss Ltd, 1974

                            Hillier, Jack, The Art of the Japanese Book, 2 volumes, Southeby Publications, 1987

                            Hirano Chie, Kiyonaga A Study of His Life and Works, Harvard University Press 1939

                            Keyes, Roger, The Art of Surimono, Privately Published Japanese Woodblock Prints and Books in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Southeby Publications, 1985

                            Keyes, Roger, The Art of Surimono, two volumes, Southeby Publications, 1985

                            Koop, Albert J., and Ianda, Hogitaro, Japanese Names and How to Read Them, Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd., 1923

                            Lane, Richard, Images from the Floating World, The Japanese Print Including a Dictionary of Ukiyo-e, Oxford University Press, 1978

                            Mitchell, C.H., The Illustrated Books of Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo and Other Related Schools of Japan, Dawson’s Book Shop, 1972

                            Robinson, B.W., Kuniyoshi, The Warrior Prints, Phaidon Press, 1982

                            Schaap, Robert, Heroes & Ghosts, Japanese Prints by Kuniyoshi 1797 – 1861, Hotei Publishing, 1998

                            Suzuki, Juzo, Utagawa Hiroshige, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, 1970

                            Tamba, Tsuneo, The Art of Hiroshige, Asahi Shimbun, 1965

                            Turk, Frank A., The Prints of Japan, Arco Publications, 1966

                            Van den Ing, Eric and Schaap, Robert, Beauty & Violence, Japanese Prints by Yoshitoshi 1839 – 1892, Havilland Press, Society for Japanese Arts, 1992

                               

                              Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)


                               Click here to view image full size.

                              Narukami Shonin, a wicked priest, from the play Narukami. One of a set Toyokuni kigo kijutsu kurabe, “A Contest of Magic Scenes by Toyokuni.” The series published by Hiranoya Shinzo, 1862. The set is known for its deluxe printing.

                               

                              Superb impression and colour. Fine condition. Signed Kio Toyokuni hitsu (77 year’s old).

                               

                              Status: Sold

                               

                                Tags: , ,

                                 

                                Utagawa KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)



                                 Click here to view image full size.

                                A triptych showing the actor Ichikawa Sandanji I as Akiyama Kiimori amidst an intense conflagration started in an attempt to capture him, Yakuchi no ba. From the series Meiijiza shinkyogen, “New Plays from the Meiji Theatre.” Published by Akiyama Buemon , 1894.

                                 

                                Fine impression, colour and condition. The sheets joined. Signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu.

                                 

                                Status: Sold

                                 

                                  Tags: , ,

                                   

                                  Artists

                                  ( A to Z )

                                  Kyogado ASHIKUNI ( Fl. c. 1807 – 1818 )
                                  Gigado ASHIYUKI ( Fl. c. 1814 – 1833 )

                                  Ki BAITEI ( 1734 – 1810 )
                                  Takizawa BAKIN ( 1767 – 1848 )
                                  Ono BAKUFU ( 1888 – 1976 )
                                  Georges BIGOT ( 1860 – 1927 )
                                  Kawamura BUMPO ( 1779 – 1821 )
                                  Ippitsusai BUNCHO ( Fl. c. 1765 – 1792 )

                                  Toyohara CHIKANOBU ( 1838 – 1912 )
                                  Kishi CHIKUDO ( 1826 – 1897 )
                                  Tsubaki CHINZAN ( 1801 – 1854 )
                                  Eishosai CHOKI ( Fl. c. 1756 – 1808 ). See also SHIKO

                                  Rekisentei EIRI ( Fl. c. 1790 – 1800 )
                                  Keisai EISEN ( 1790 – 1848 )
                                  Hosoda EISHI ( 1756 – 1829 )
                                  Hosoda EISHO ( Fl. c. 1780 – 1800 )
                                  Ichirakutei EISUI ( Fl. c. 1790 – 1823 )
                                  Kikugawa EIZAN ( 1787 – 1867 )

                                  Hirano HAKUHO ( 1879 – 1957 )

                                  Elizabeth KEITH ( 1887 – 1956 )
                                  Imao KEINEN ( 1845 – 1924 )

                                  Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1786 – 1868 )
                                  Ogata GEKKO ( 1859 – 1920 )
                                  Adachi GINKO ( Fl. c. 1847 – 1897 )
                                  Matsumura GOSHUN ( 1752 – 1811 )
                                  GYOSAI. See Kawanabe KYOSAI

                                  Hirano HAKUHO ( 1879 – 1957 )
                                  Suzuki HARUNOBU ( 1724 – 1770 )
                                  Kawase HASUI ( 1883 – 1957 )
                                  Kitagawa HIDEMARO ( Fl. c. early 19th century )
                                  Kinoshita HIRONOBU ( Fl. c. 1851 – 1870 )
                                  Gosotei HIROSADA ( Fl. c. 1847 – 1863 )
                                  Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797 – 1858 )
                                  Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE II ( 1826 – 1869 )
                                  Ando HIROSHIGE III ( 1843 – 1894 )
                                  Nakamura HOCHU ( Fl. c. late 18th to early 19th century )
                                  Sakai HOITSU ( 1761 – 1828 )
                                  Totoya HOKKEI ( 1780 – 1850 )
                                  Teisai HOKUBA ( 1771 – 1844 )
                                  Shunkosai HOKUEI (Active 1824-1837)
                                  Katsushika HOKUGA ( Fl. c. 1830 )
                                  Shotei HOKUJU ( Fl. c. 1789 – 1818 )
                                  Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760 – 1849 ). Also used numerous other names such as: SORI, SHUNRO, SHINSAI
                                  Shokosai HOKUSHU ( Fl. c. 1808 – 1832 )

                                  KEISAI. See Kitao MASAYOSHI
                                  Suzuki KIITSU ( 1796 – 1858 )
                                  Kitagawa KIKUMARO ( Fl. c. ? – 1830 ). See TSUKIMARO
                                  Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA ( 1847 – 1915 )
                                  Torii KIYOHIRO ( Fl. c. 1737 – 1771 )
                                  Torii KIYOMASA ( Fl. c. 1700 – 1722 )
                                  KIYOMINE. See Torii KIYOMITSU II
                                  Torii KIYOMITSU ( 1735 – 1785 )
                                  Torii KIYOMITSU II ( 1787 – 1868 ). See KIYOMINE
                                  Torii KIYONAGA ( 1752 – 1815 )
                                  Torii KIYONOBU ( 1664 – 1729 )
                                  Torii KIYONOBU II ( 1706 – 1763 )
                                  Torii KIYOTSUNE ( Fl. c. 1757 – 1779 )
                                  Isoda KORYUSAI ( Fl. c. 1767 – 1788 )
                                  Ohara KOSON ( 1877 – 1945 ). See SHOSON
                                  Torii KOTONDO ( 1900 – 1976 )
                                  Toyohara KUNICHIKA ( 1835 – 1900 )
                                  Utagawa KUNIHIRO ( Fl. c. 1815 – 1843 )
                                  Ichiunsai KUNIHISA ( 1832 – 1891 )
                                  Utagawa KUNINAO ( 1793 – 1854 )
                                  Utagawa KUNISADA ( 1786 – 1865 )
                                  Utagawa KUNISADA II ( 1823 – 1880 )
                                  Utagawa KUNISATO ( ? – 1858 )
                                  Utagawa KUNITERU ( 1808 – 1876 )
                                  KUNITERU. See Utagawa SADASHIGE
                                  Utagawa KUNITERU II ( 1829 – 1874 )
                                  Utagawa KUNIYASU ( 1794 – 1832 )
                                  Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI ( 1797 – 1861 )
                                  Santo KYODEN. See Kitao MASANOBU
                                  Kawanabe KYOSAI ( 1831 – 1889 ). See GYOSAI

                                  Okumura MASANOBU ( 1686 – 1764 )
                                  KitaoMASANOBU ( 1761 – 1816 ). See Santo KYODEN
                                  Kitao MASAYOSHI ( 1764 – 1824 ). See KEISAI
                                  Oishi MATORA ( 1794 – 1833 )
                                  Hishikawa MORONOBU ( Fl. c. 1618 – 1694 )

                                  Nishimura NANTEI ( 1775 – 1834 )
                                  Utagawa NOBUKATSU ( Fl. c. 1830 – 1844 )
                                  Watanabe NOBUKAZU ( Fl. c. late 19th century )

                                  Hishikawa RYUKOKU ( Fl. c. 1808 – 1816 )
                                  Jokei RYUKOSAI ( Fl. 1772 – 1816 )

                                  Gokitei SADAFUSA ( Fl. c. 1825 – 1850 )
                                  Hasegawa SADAHARU ( Fl. c. 1830 – 1844 )
                                  Gokotei SADAKAGE ( Fl. c. 1818 – 1844 )
                                  Utagawa SADAHIDE ( 1807 – 1873 )
                                  Hasegawa SADANOBU ( 1809 – 1879 )
                                  Utagawa SADASHIGE ( Fl. c. mid 19th century ). See KUNITERU
                                  Gofutei SADATORA ( Fl. c. 1825 )
                                  Yamaguchi SHIGEHARU ( 1803 – 1853 )
                                  Kitao SHIGEMASA ( 1739 – 1820 )
                                  Nishimura SHIGENAGA ( 1697 ? – 1756 )
                                  Nishimura SHIGENOBU ( Fl. c. 1724 – 1735 )
                                  SHIKO. See Eishosai CHOKI
                                  Ryuryukyo SHINSAI ( 1764 – 1820 )
                                  Ito SHINSUI ( 1898 – 1972 )
                                  Kojima SHOGETSU ( Fl. c. 1880 – 1890 )
                                  SHOSON. See Ohara KOSON
                                  Takahashi SHOTEI ( 1871 – 1945 )
                                  Yamamoto SHOUN ( 1870 – 1965 )
                                  Yamakawa SHUHO ( 1898 – 1944 )
                                  Katsukawa SHUNCHO ( Fl. c. 1780 – 1795 )
                                  Takehara SHUNCHOSAI ( Fl. c. 1772 – 1801 )
                                  Katsukawa SHUN’EI ( 1762 – 1819 )
                                  Katsukawa SHUNKO ( 1743 – 1812 )
                                  Hishikawa SHUNKYO ( Fl. c. early 19th century )
                                  Kubo SHUNMAN ( 1757 – 1820 )
                                  Katsukawa SHUNSEN ( Fl. c. 1762 – 1830 )
                                  Natori SHUNSEN ( 1886 – 1960 )
                                  Gatoken SHUNSHI ( Fl. c. 1820 – 1828 )
                                  Katsukawa SHUNSHO ( 1726 – 1792 )
                                  Katsukawa SHUNTEI ( 1770 – 1820 )
                                  Katsukawa SHUNZAN ( Fl. c. 1782 – 1798 )
                                  Yamaguchi SOKEN ( 1759 – 1834 )

                                  Ikeno TAIGA ( 1723 – 1776 )
                                  Katsukawa TERUSHIGE ( Fl. c. 1715 – 1725 )
                                  Mori TETSUZAN (1775-1841)
                                  Migita TOSHIHIDE ( 1863 – 1925 )
                                  Mizuno TOSHIKATA ( 1866 – 1908 )
                                  Okumura TOSHINOBU ( Fl. c. 1717 – 1750 )
                                  Utagawa TOYOHARU ( 1735 – 1814 )
                                  Utagawa TOYOHIRO ( 1773 – 1828 )
                                  Utagawa TOYOKUNI ( 1769 – 1825 )
                                  Utagawa TOYOKUNI II ( 1777 – 1835 ). See TOYOSHIGE
                                  Yamamura TOYONARI ( 1885 – 1942 )
                                  Ishikawa TOYONOBU ( 1711 – 1785 )
                                  TOYOSHIGE. See Utagawa TOYOKUNI II
                                  TSUKIMARO. See Kitagawa KIKUMARO
                                  Kitano TSUNETOMI ( 1880 – 1947 )

                                  Toyokawa UMEKUNI ( Fl. c. 1816 – 1826 )
                                  Kitagawa UTAMARO ( 1753 – 1806 )
                                  Kitagawa UTAMARO II ( ? – 1831 )

                                  Inoue YASUJI ( 1864 – 1889 )
                                  Hiroshi YOSHIDA ( 1876 – 1950 )
                                  Ipposai YOSHIFUJI ( 1828 – 1887 )
                                  Utagawa YOSHIIKU ( 1833 – 1904 )
                                  Utagawa YOSHIKATA ( Fl. c. 1841 – 1864 )
                                  Utagawa YOSHIKAZU ( Fl. c. 1850 – 1870 )
                                  Toyokawa YOSHIKUNI ( Fl. c. 1803 – 1840 )
                                  Utagawa YOSHIMUNE ( 1817 – 1880 )
                                  Ichiyosai YOSHITAKI ( 1841 – 1899 )
                                  Utagawa YOSHITORA ( Fl. c. 1850 – 1880 )
                                  Taiso YOSHITOSHI ( 1839 – 1892 )
                                  Utagawa YOSHITSURU ( Fl. c. 1840 – 1850 )
                                  Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA ( 1822 – 1866 )
                                  Mori YOSHIYUKI ( 1835 – 1879 )

                                  Shibata ZESHIN ( 1807 – 1891 )