Click here to view image full size.

A surimono still life showing two handscrolls, a small screen, a branch of coral, a branch of plum blossom and two seals. (Coral and plum blossom are associated with the new year.) One of the seals has a tiger on top, possibly indicating this surimono was issued for the Tiger year 1818. From a series of still life surimono produced by the Taiko-gawa (Drum Poetry Group), their seal top right. Shinsai was one of Hokusai’s best pupils and is primarily known as a surimono designer. In fact, this surimono seems to have been reissued without the Drum seal and different poems. (See The Art of Surimono, Roger Keyes, Sotheby, 1985, no. 286, p. 334.) One poem by Rankotei Dondontei.

Very fine impression. Fine colour with gold and silver. Small crease top right and minor signs of mounting au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed Shinsai.

Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size.

An early pupil of Hokusai who is best known for his fine surimono, but also produced a series of semi-western style landscapes and some paintings. A still life showing a group of pouches, one revealing a lacquered surface with a stylised dragon. Dragon year was 1808 and 1820. Extremely rare. Ex Beres collection, seal au verso.

Fine impression with extensive silver and burnishing. Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Shinsai.

Status: Sold

 Click here to view image full size.

A rare surimono showing a carp and water-weeds. The carp was a symbol of achievement against adversity in Japan and had a connotation with the new year. Issued c 1822.

Very good impression with the water blind-printed. Some loss of gold. Very good condition. Signed Shinsai.

Status: Sold

 Click here to view image full size.

A rare surimono showing a red bream, sea urchin, cuttle-fish, various other molluscs and two unidentified fish with seaweed. Issued c 1810s.

Fine impression with gauffrage. Fine colour and very good condition. Signed Shinsai.

Status: Sold