Imao KEINEN ( 1845 – 1924 )



Probably the best known artist of his time and famous for his realistic depictions of birds and flowers. Two koi or carp swim beneath a rock with an overhanging white mountain rose. Ink, colour, gofun and gold on silk. Original mount with ivory rollers. A double kiri-wood box inscribed by Keinen’s son Keisho with date Showa 13, 1938 and a guarantee of authenticity. He entitles the painting Nobara yuri, “Koi playing under a wild rose.” Image size: 44.5 x 14.5 in; 113 x 36.5 cms. Slight crease, otherwise good condition. Signed Keinen.
 

Status: available

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Kishi CHIKUDO ( 1826 – 1897 )



A large painting, 57 x 28 in; 144 x 71 cms ( image size ) showing a peregrine falcon dislodging snow from a heavily snow-laden pine tree. The bird was closely associated with the New Year. Chikudo was the fourth generation head of the Kishi school which was founded by Ganku. An artist with great talent, he participated in the decoration of the Kyoto Imperial Palace in 1854. Signed Kishi Chikudo. Very good condition. Original mount and wooden rollers. Ink, colour and gofun on silk. With box.
 

Status: available

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Jokei RYUKOSAI ( Fl. 1772 - 1816 )



The most important Osaka artist in the last quarter of the 18th century. His prints are rare and, apart from being an influence on Shunei and possibly Sharaku, he spawned a line of fine pupils. His actor prints are trenchant and full of character. A delightful painting showing a geisha parading and looking askance at a client ( ? ). Full colour on silk, 27 x 13 in., 68 x 32 cms. Good condition. Old mount. Lacquer ends. Signed Ryukosai with kakihan.
 

Status: sold

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Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797 – 1858 )



An important original Hiroshige painting. Sumi and colour on grey silk, 22.5 x 13.75 inches, 57 x 35 cms. An atmospheric scene showing an evening view at Tamegawa. Villagers hurrying home across a bridge to avoid an approaching thunderstorm. Lightning flashing above. This is a well known painting and has been illustrated in a number of books, including Ukiyo-e Art, Number 18, Memorial Exhibition of Hiroshige, The Japan Ukiyo-e Society, 1968, pl.20. Very good condition; fully mounted with double box and ivory ends. Signed Hiroshige fude with Ichiryusai seal. Hiroshige signature c. 1848- 52.

Status: available

Utagawa KUNISADA ( 1786 – 1865 )
 

An original painting on grey silk of an actor in a female role ( Segawa Kikunojo III ? ). Executed in fine detail – almost as a surimono with gold, silver and heightened gofun. Probably one of a set tipped into an album and commissioned by a wealthy patron of his favourite actors. Pin-ups of their day. 8.5 x 7 inches, 22 x 18 cms. Minor damage. Signed Ichiyosai Toyokuni hitsu, c. 1852.

Status: available

Kawanabe KYOSAI ( 1831 – 1889 )



A fine painting, sumi on paper, showing three crows on the boughs of a willow tree. Crows were one of Kyosai’s favourite subjects and, apart from paintings, he used them in various formats: fan prints, oban and dai-oban prints. There are also numerous copies of his crow paintings. Signed Kyosai ga. 51 x 18.5 inches, 129.5 x 47 cms. Very good condition with original mount and rollers.

Status: available

Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 - 1861 )

An original and unrecorded painting of a young beauty reading a letter. She looks to be around 18 or 19 years old and this was most likely a commission from the girl's family. ( The flower on her bodice is probably the family crest. ) Only 32 paintings are currently known by Kuniyoshi and this appears to date from c.1848-54. Sumi and full colour on paper. Minor loss of pigment, otherwise good condition. 100 x 30.5 cms; 39.5 x 12 inches ( image size ). New mount and box. Signed and sealed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi. ( For other examples of these seals see Appendix 1, p. 261, Heroes & Ghosts, Robert Schaap, Hotei, 1998.)

Status: sold

Kubo SHUNMAN ( 1757 - 1820 )

An original painting of a bonito and a branch of bamboo. The bonito, called katsuo in Japan, was also called ocean bonito, strip-bellied bonito and striped tuna. It was, and is, highly regarded in Japan where it is smoked and dried to make katsuobushi, an important ingredient in making dashi ( Japanese fish stock ). The first bonito of the year were always highly anticipated. Shunman - an artist of great refinement - is famous for his exquisite surimono. Sumi and colour on silk with mica added to the eye and belly. Minor creasing and loss of gofun, otherwise good condition. Mounted with box. 90 x 31 cms; 35.5 x 12.25 inches ( image size ). Signed and sealed Shunman.

Status: sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797 – 1858 ) 

A fine and important original painting by Hiroshige in the Shijo style, sumi and light colour on paper, showing a beauty beneath a tree. This manner of painting seems to have appealed to Hiroshige and some of his best work employs it. ( See Kobijutsu, Special Issue, Number 3, March 1983, Hiroshige, colour illustrations 5 and 18. ) Ex collection Takeoka Toyota with lid of box signed and dated ( 1920 ) by him. Extremely good condition with new mount and boxes ( but retaining original lid ). 112.4 x 51.6 cms; 44 x 20.25 inches. Signed, sealed and dated 3rd year Ka'ei era, 1850, Hiroshige hitsu with Ichiryusai seal.

Status: sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )

An important and rare original painting of a peacock ( Pavo cristatus ) perched on a rock with peony blossom ( Paeonia suffructiosa ). The regal peacock is usually shown with peonies, symbols of opulence and associated with summer. The subject and style borrows from the Chinese-derived Kano style, but with a spontaneous wet brush. The peony is the floral symbol of China and the peacock ( male peafowl ) was kept by the Chinese for centuries. It was a popular subject for Japanese artists of all schools and frequently used to demonstrate their dexterity, giving rise to often highly finished paintings. Hiroshige, as usual in his paintings, eschews this for a simpler approach. Hiroshige designed at least four prints of the same subject: An o-tanzaku published by Jakurindo, c. 1832; a chu-tanzaku with no publisher, c. 1832; a chu-tanzaku published by Marujin, c. early 1840s; and a kakemono-e published c. early 1840s. The style of signature on this painting dates it to c. 1832 - the best period for his kacho prints. Although I have had, and seen, a number of kacho hanshita-e, this is the first such painting I have catalogued. A Chinese-style poem top left. The painting is illustrated in the bicentennial exhibition of Hiroshige's birth, The World of Hiroshige, 1996 - 1997, Mainichi Shimbunsha, no. 307; Ukiyo-e Painters and their Works, Volume 1, Yoshida Teruji, 1963, Ryokuen Shobo and was exhibited at the National Diet Library supervised by Dr Suzuki Shigezo, n.d. The inside of the box is guaranteed by Dr Narazaki Muneshige. Sumi on paper, mounted with box; image size 50 x 9.5 inches, 127 x 24 cms. Signed Hiroshige hitsu with Ichiryusai seal.

Status: sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )

An original painting; sumi and colour on silk showing sunrise on New Year's day at Suzaki. This painting illustrated in The Memorial Exhibition, Hiroshige's Two Hundred Anniversary, Dr Kobayashi Tadashi, 1996, no. 313. Image size 14.25 x 22 inches, 36 x 56 cms. Mounted as a scroll with box guaranteed by Dr Narazaki. Good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Ichiryusai seal.

Status: sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

An important original painting by Hiroshige showing the lighthouse at Tempozan ( Osaka ) and the Yodo River. Ships’ masts in the foreground. Tempozan ( Mount Tempo, Osaka – named after the era name ) was constructed in 1832 to prevent silting of the river mouth. Hiroshige paintings are now rare. Possibly originally one of a set from a makemono. Sumi and colour on paper. Image size: 32.4 x 51.4 cms; 12.75 x 20.25 inches. Mounted as a scroll with box.. Good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Ichiryusai seal.

status: sold

Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)

A large painting on silk, 54 x 34.5 inches ( 137 x 87.5 cms ) showing a side view of a huge Okame mask. Okame ( or Ofuku ) was the Goddess of Mirth, Ama no Uzume no Mikoto. She is known for helping Amaterasu out of the cave, into which she had retired, by performing a dance. At the bottom of the painting are the jingling bells used in her dance.

Minor wormage, otherwise good condition. Mounted with rollers and box. Signed oju Seisei Kyosai, “ By request, Seisei Kyosai “ with red kakihan of tengu mask

status: available

status: available

Hasegawa SADANOBU I (1809 – 1879; active 1834 – 1879)

A reclining beauty reading a book. There appears to be nothing else like this by Sadanobu, and indeed, there are very few bijin-ga prints by him. A beautiful painting.

Sumi and colour on silk. Image size 13 x 9.25 inches; 33 x 24 cms. Slight loss of gofun and minor marks. Mounted onto board. Signed Ho Utamaro Sadanobu, “Copied [ or imitating ] Utamaro, Sadanobu” with Sadanobu seal.

Mori TETSUZAN (1775-1841)

A seated cat with butterflies above. Tetsuzan, the adopted son of Mori Sosen,  was known for his animal paintings and was one of the ten best pupils of Okyo. Good condition.

Sumi and colour on beige silk. Image size 38.25 x 14.5 inches. Mounted on brown damask with ivory rollers. Signed Tetsuzan with seal Shushin.

status: available

Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

Sumi and colour on silk, 17 x 21.5 in., showing a view of a bay with boats moored in the background. In the foreground figures wading in shallow water looking at fish and getting ready for a picnic. Yoshitoshi paintings are rare and this is an unusual and early subject for him in the style of Kuniyoshi. Signature c 1864-6. The seal was used on various sets ( eg Ikkai zuihitsu and Keisei Suikoden ). Rare. 

The painting has been professionally cleaned and mounted but still shows signs of  browning. Loss of gofun. Signed Yoshitoshi with seal Go Yoshitoshi.

status: sold

Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

An important unrecorded painting by Kuniyoshi. Sumi and colour on silk, 145 cms x   82cms. Shows the courtesan Jigoku Reigan of Takasu who was adopted and patronized by the priest Ikkyu. Her voluminous ceremonial attire is covered with designs of demons and the tortures of hell. This was a popular subject for Kuniyoshi and there are at least three self-portraits ( from the back ) showing him wearing a kimono adorned with these designs of hell ( see Heroes and Ghosts, Robert Schaap, 1998, figs 12, 13 and 14 ). Thirty one paintings are currently known by Kuniyoshi but this is probably his masterpiece. The painting has been professionally restored. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga

status: sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

An original painting on paper of an ai or ayu, river trout, (Plecoglossus altivelis) swimming in a stream. Sumi and light colour, 11 x 18 inches: 28 x 46cms. Painting comes from the collection of the Hiroshige collector Mr Oda Kakukiti and is sold with box guaranteed by the museum curator (and teacher of Narazaki) Fugikaku Shizuya, dated Dec.25th, 1954.  There is also a letter from him to Mr Kakukiti telling him he is happy to guarantee the painting. Rare: It is now extremely difficult to find genuine Hiroshige paintings. (See also Flora & Fauna on this website for the print version of this painting.)

Very good condition. Fully mounted with box. Signed Ichiryusai with seal.

status: sold

   status: sold

Ono BAKUFU (1888-1976)

An important two-fold screen in sumi and colour showing various Japanese fish and aquatic plants. Size of each panel 32 x 63 inches; 81 x 160 cms. Overall size double this. Bakufu is best known for his fish prints and paintings. Extremely decorative. Original mounting. Ex Spink & Sons.

Very good condition with only one small light stain. Signed Bakufu with seal.

status: sold

Ogata GEKKO (1859-1920)

A set of five tanzaku paintings on silk mounted onto card. Each painting is 14.25 x 2.25 inches; 36 x 5.75 cms.

Very good conditions. Each signed Gekko and sealed.

status: available

Utagawa TOYOHIRO (1773-1828)

A girl offering a fruit (?) to a pet monkey. Hanging scroll. Sumi and colour on silk; 52 x 38 cms. Signed Toyohiro ga, seal Ichiryusai.

status: sold

School of Mori SOSEN (c. early 19th century)

A group of seven small monkey paintings on silk, 11.75 x 11 cms. Of fine quality. Probably by a leading Sosen pupil. Mounted in a concertina album. Unsigned.

status: available

Watanabe SHOTEI (Seitei) (1851-1918)

A bird hunched against pouring rain above a hydrangea plant. Hanging scroll. Sumi and colour on silk; 111 x 35 cms. Signed and sealed Shotei.

status: available

Kawamata TSUNEMASA (fl.1720s-40s)

A salt water collector on the sea shore. Hanging scroll. Sumi and colour on paper; 82.5 x 26.5 cms. Signed Tsunemasa hitsu; seal Tsunemasa.

status: available

Itsuba RYUSAI (dates unknown)

A fine painting of a bijin, her coat thrown over her shoulders. Original mount. 105.5 x 25 cms. Unsigned.