Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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Awa, Naruto no fuha, Naruto Whirlpools, Awa [Province]” from a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1855. The finest print from the set and one of Hiroshige’s most important designs. The phenomenon is caused by the tides that move large amounts of water through the Naruto Strait into and out of the Inland Sea.

 

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

 

Status: Sold

 

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    Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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    Station Annaka from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” Published by Kinjudo, the set was started by Eisen in 1835 who designed twenty-four prints before Hiroshige replaced him and completed the set before 1843. Shows the entourage of a feudal lord progressing along the road between rest houses.

     

    Very fine impression of the earliest printing. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

     

    Status: Sold

     

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      Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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      A group of three women picking mushrooms. Published c 1800. Another impression, from the Musee Guimet, is illustrated in Muneshige Narazaki, Ukiyo-e Masterpieces in European Collections, 6, Musee Guimet, Paris, 1, p. 176, no. 90.

       

      Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. Unsigned.

       

      Status: Sold

       

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        Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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        A snow scene from a set Edo komei kaitei zukushi, “Famous Teahouses of Edo,” Kameido uramon, Tamaya, “Back Gate of the Shrine at Kameido: The Tamaya Teahouse.” The set published by Shogendo, 1838-40.

        Very fine impression. Fine colour. Slight centre fold (strengthened au verso), otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

        Status: Sold

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          Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)




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          Nikko Shimofuri no taki, “Shimofuri Waterfall in Nikko” from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, the “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859-1861 (this being 1859).

           

           

          Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

           

           

          Status: Sold

           

           

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            Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)




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            Gathering iwatake, rock tripe or rock mushrooms in Kii Province. The common name for various edible lichens that grow on cliffs. The gatherers used precarious baskets that were hauled up and down the cliff face to collect them. Kishu Kumano iwatake tori from Shokoku meisho hyakkei. “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” Published by Uoyei 1859-1861 (this being 1860).

             

             

            Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

             

             

            Status: Sold

             

             

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              Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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              The lumberyard, Fukugawa, from the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1856). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi. Shows snow falling on the timber yards lining a river. An umbrella in the foreground is inscribed Uo, “Fish” – a reference to the publisher Uoya Eikichi. A large supply of timber was needed for the world’s largest wooden city. However, in 1641 a fire destroyed not only houses but the lumber which was then stored in a central area forcing the government to move the yards to Fukugawa.

              Very good, early impression. Very good colour. Trimmed close at bottom. Otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

              Status: Sold

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                Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)



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                A snow scene: Imadobashi Matsuchiyama, “Imado Bridge and Matsuchi Hill.” From Toto sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of the Eastern [Edo] Capital.” The set published by Ai-To between 1861-1862 (this being 1862). Hiroshige I also designed a number of prints of the same area. The bridge goes over the Sanya Canal.

                Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                Status: Sold

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                  Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)



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                  Shinshu Suwa-ko yatsume akauo wo to (ru). Shinshu (Shinano) Province from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859-1861 (this being 1860). A winter scene showing figures catching lampreys, eels and red rockfish in Lake Suwa. The lake was unusual in having warm currents beneath the ice, even in mid winter.

                  Fine impression of first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                  Status: Sold

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                    Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)



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                    A triptych showing Ushiwaka Maru (Minamoto no Yoshitsune’s childhood name), attended by Kisanda, practising fencing with the karasu or “crow” tengu in a forest glade on Mt. Kurama, north of Kyoto. His training in martial arts is being supervised by a white-bearded yamabushi tengu, Sojobo, King of the Tengu. (The yamabushi were followers of Shugendo– a shamanistic mountain ascetism.) Yoshitsune (1159-1189) is the best known Japanese warrior and a popular subject for Japanese artists and craftsmen. Famous for exploits such as the battle on Gojo Bridge with Benkei and the battle of Dan-no-ura. Published by Enshuya Hikobei, 1851-2. Robinson T264.

                    Fine impression. This is the first state with gradation on the rocks top left. Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                    Status: Sold

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                      Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                      Kai Otsuki no hara, “Otsuki [“Great Moon”] Plain in Kai Province.” The most popular print from Fuji sanjurokkei, “The Thirty-six Views of Fuji.”Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 4/1858. A distant view of Fuji with a stream meandering amongst wild flowers. Some of them are from the Seven Herbs (Nanakusa) of Autumn, being: pampas grass, susuki, yellow patrinia, ominaeshi, bellflowers, kikyo, and wild carnations, tokonatsu.

                      Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                      Status: Sold

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                        Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                        Fujieda from Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.” The set of fifty-five prints was published jointly by Hoeido and Senkakdo in 1834. Shows porters unpacking at the relay station. It was here that fresh horses could be obtained, luggage weighed, labour arranged, and payments made. Hiroshige’s most famous set that was reprinted many times.

                        Fine early impression: The porter just off-centre rubbing his back with a towel has a small area on his head that does not print on the earliest impressions, which was later corrected. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                        Status: Sold

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                          Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                          Hara from The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido published by Marusei, Maruya Seijiro, 1847-52. Called the Reisho Tokaido because of the angular style of Kanji used. Shows Fuji towering over the landscape with miniscule figures on the road at the bottom. One of the best designs from the set.

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

                          Status: Sold

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                            Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                            Fujieda from The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido published by Marusei, Maruya Seijiro, 1847-52. Called the Reisho Tokaido because of the angular style of Kanji used. Travellers huddled against the rain on a narrow path. One of the best designs from the set.

                            Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                            Status: Sold

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                              Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)



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                              A triptych from a set: Furyu Genji: Akashi. An evening scene showing Genji’s secret lover Lady Fujitsubo and an attendant watching the departing Prince Genji walking through the reeds of Akashi Bay. Based on the famous Genji monogatari written by the 11th century noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. Published by Iseya Kanekichi 1853.

                              Fine impression. This is the early state with gradation over the moon. Fine colour. Very slight trimming and retains album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga and Toyokuni ga.

                              Status: Sold

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                                Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)



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                                A poem by the celebrated poet Minamoto no Shigeyuki from the series Hyakunin isshu no uchi, “One Hundred Poems for One Hundred Poets” which was compiled in 1235 by Fujiwara Teika (1162-1241). Shows the poet on a craggy outcrop with waves crashing around him; Fuji in the distance. One of the best designs in the set published by Ebisuya Shoshichi, Ebine, 1840-42. Only 58 of the 100 are known. Various translations of the poem exist, here is one:

                                Waves that beat against the rocks
                                Fanned by a fierce wind –
                                It is I alone
                                Who breaks, those times
                                When I think of her

                                Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Hiroshige ga.

                                Status: Sold

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                                  Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                  Wakasa, Gyosen karei-ami, “Fishing Boats and Flounder Nets in Wakasa [Province]” from a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. Fishing in Wakasa Bay. The highway between the Wakasa ports and Kyoto was nicknamed the “Mackerel Highway” because of the quantity of fish that was transported.

                                  Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                  Status: Sold

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                                    Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                    Oji Shozoku enoki, Omisoka no kitsunebi, “Foxfires on New Year’s Eve at the Shozoku Hackberry Tree, Oji,” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,” published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1857). This is the only design from the set where Hiroshige uses historical fantasy: Every New Year’s Eve foxes gathered at the ancient enoki tree to pay their respects to their fox patron in the nearby Inari shrine at Oji, in northern Edo. The shrine was dedicated to the god of the harvests and farmers would predict the outcome of a harvest by the amount of kitsunebi (fox flames) they saw emitted by the foxes. A popular print from the set.

                                     

                                    Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                     

                                    Status: Sold

                                     

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                                      Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)




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                                      Ishiyakushi from an aiban set Tokaido gojusantsugi no uchi, commonly called the Gyosho Tokaido because of the cursive script on title. Shows travellers entering and leaving the village in heavy snow. Published by Ezakiya Kichibei/Yamadaya, c. 1841-2. There are variant states: later editions lack the gradation on the horizon. The first state may have a Hiroshige seal after the signature.

                                      Very good impression and colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                      Status: Sold

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                                        Kikukawa EIZAN (1787-1867)




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                                        A triptych showing a street thronged with people in front of the famous department store Iwaki Masuya, giving a good cross-section of the inhabitants of the city at this time. The store specialised in silk and textiles and was one of the most important in Edo having, at one point, 500 employees in its stores. Hiroshige designed another triptych of this subject in c. 1850.

                                         

                                         

                                        Published by Mikawaya Seiemon, c. 1815. Rare.

                                         

                                         

                                        Fine impression. Extremely fine fresh colour. Fine condition. Full size. Signed Kikukawa Eizan fude.

                                         

                                         

                                        Status: Sold

                                         

                                         

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                                          Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                          Harima Tatsuyama, “Mount Tatsu [Dragon] in Harima [Province]” from a set of twenty prints Sankai mitate zumo, “Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Sea.” A fanciful and imaginative title lacking in other Hiroshige sets. Comprises of ten prints of mountains and ten prints of harbours. Published by Yamadaya Shojiro, 1858. The title is in a wrestling umpire’s fan (gunbai).

                                          Very fine impression of the first edition. Later printings have a solid red in the title cartouche instead of variegated colour and lack other subtleties. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold and minimal soil bottom left margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Hiroshige ga.

                                          Status: Sold

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                                            Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                            Settsu Arimayama, “Mount Arima in Settsu [Province]” from a set of twenty prints Sankai mitate zumo, “Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Sea.” A fanciful and imaginative title lacking in other Hiroshige sets. Comprises of ten prints of mountains and ten prints of harbours. Published by Yamadaya Shojiro, 1858. The title is in a wrestling umpire’s fan (gunbai).

                                            Very fine impression of the first edition. Later printings have a solid red in the title cartouche instead of variegated colour and lack other subtleties. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold and minimal soil bottom left margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                            Status: Sold

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                                              Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                              Hoki, ono Daisen enbo, “Hoki [Province], Distant View of Mount Daisen.” Shows rice-planting in the rain, with the volcanic mountain in the background. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

                                              Very fine impression: This is the true first edition: Impressions with the bands of blue and yellow in the sub-cartouche are often catalogued as first editions but the impression must also have gradation on the top of the embankment at the bottom. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                              Status: Sold

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                                                Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                Mino, Yoro no taki, “Mino [Province], Yoro Waterfall” The 32 metre fall is 4 metres wide and is located in Yoro Park, near Nagoya. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

                                                Fine, very early impression with extensive blind-printing on the fall. Fine colour. Some wrinkling of the large margins, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                Status: Sold

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                                                  Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                  Mikawa, Horaiji sangan, “Mikawa [Province], Horai Temple.” The temple is situated in the Horai mountains. The 425 steps are shown here leading up to the temple. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

                                                  Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                  Status: Sold

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                                                    Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                    Shibaura, shiohigari no zu, “Low Tide [or Ebbtide, or catalogued in some instances as Shell-gathering] at Shibaura” from a Toto meisho “Famous Places in the Eastern Capital” set of ten prints published c. 1831-2 by Kawaguchiya Shozo. Hiroshige’s first oban landscape set with some outstanding designs. Shibaura is now an area with high-rise residential towers. The first editions, as here, have decorative borders adding a western element into the designs. These were removed on later editions. Extremely rare in this state.

                                                     

                                                    Fine impression and colour. Very minor edge soil and slight centre fold. Slight trimming of decorative border on left, otherwise very good condition. Prints from this set are often missing or have the publisher’s name and address on the right border trimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Hiroshige ga. (The last set to be signed like this.)

                                                     

                                                    Status: Sold

                                                     

                                                     

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                                                      Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                      Susaki yuki no hatsuhi, “Snow on New Year’s Day at Susaki” from a Toto meisho “Famous Places in the Eastern Capital” set of ten prints published c. 1831-2 by Kawaguchiya Shozo. Hiroshige’s first oban landscape set with some outstanding designs. Fukagawa Susaki was a spit of land along Edo Bay. (Also the subject of the Eagle design, Jumantsubo Fukagawa Susaki, from the One Hundred Views of Edo later on.) The first editions, as here, have decorative borders adding a western element into the designs. These were removed on later editions. Extremely rare in this state.

                                                       

                                                      Fine impression and colour. Very minor edge soil and slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Prints from this set are often missing or have the publisher’s name and address on the right border trimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Hiroshige ga. (The last set to be signed like this.)

                                                       

                                                      Status: Sold

                                                       

                                                       

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                                                        Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                        A chu-tanzaku print, Natsu, Ryogoku no tsuki, “Summer Moon at Ryogoku Bridge” from a set Shiki Koto meisho, “Famous Views of Edo in the Four Seasons.” Published by Kawaguchiya Shozo, 1834-5.

                                                         

                                                        Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                         

                                                        Status: Sold

                                                         

                                                         

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                                                          Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                          Okute from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). Shows woodcutters making their way home as evening approaches.

                                                           

                                                          Fine impression: There is a plug of wood next to the last rock on the right. This repair gradually reveals itself and moves out leaving a gap. On the earliest impressions, as here, nothing is discernible. Slight fading of red, otherwise fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                           

                                                          Status: Sold

                                                           

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                                                            Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                            A triptych, Takanawa tsuki no kei, “Moon at Takanawa” from a set Edo meisho shiki no nagame, “Famous Places of Edo in the Four Seasons.” Shows beauties on the veranda of an inn overlooking the bay. Takanawa was a popular place to visit with views on a clear day of the Boso mountains across Edo Bay. Hiroshige depicted this area many times. Published by Maruya Jimpachi (Enjudo), 1847-8.

                                                             

                                                            Very fine impression. Fine colour. Minor trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                             

                                                            Status: Sold

                                                             

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                                                              Torii KIYOMITSU (1735-1785)



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                                                              An hosoban showing two female travellers and their man-servant crossing a river beside a waterwheel, a giant sun on the horizon, the ancient symbol of Japan. Very few prints show waterwheels, the best known being Hokusa’s waterwheel at Onden from the 36 Views of Fuji set. They were in use until the 1880s and, apart from being used for irrigation, they were also employed to run grain mills to polish rice for making sake and threshing machines. Published by Yamashiro han c. 1759. Benizuri-e, with beni, green and blue (turned). Apparently unrecorded.

                                                               

                                                              Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Torii Kiyomitsu hitsu.

                                                               

                                                              Status: Sold

                                                               

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                                                                Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)




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                                                                A snow scene showing Muro Harbour in Harima Province, Banshu Muro-tsu shinkei, “Actual View of Muro Harbour Banshu [Harima] Province.” From Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi, 1859-61 (this being 1859). An uncompleted set with only 81 prints known. Beyond the harbour can be seen the Inland Sea, the Seto Inland Sea aka Setouchi.

                                                                 

                                                                 

                                                                Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                 

                                                                 

                                                                Status: Sold

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                                                                  Yashima GAKUTEI (1786?-1868)



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                                                                  Osaka Ajigawa niiyama fukei, “View of the Aji River and the New Mountain in Osaka” from a set of six prints Naniwa meisho Tenpozan hajimari no zu, “Fine Views of Mount Tenpo at a Glance.” The mountain (more a hill) and park was created by dredging the Aji River. Shows a sailboat approaching the mouth of the river, Tenpozan to the right. In the distance can be seen Osaka Castle and to the right the Shitennoji pagoda. Published by Shioya Kisuke, c.1834.

                                                                   

                                                                  Fine impression and colour. Slight vertical fold as per usual as the set was published in album form. Fine condition. Signed Gakutei.

                                                                   

                                                                  Status: Sold

                                                                   

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                                                                    Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                                    Fukagawa, Suzaki, Juman-tsubo, “The One Hundred Thousand Tsubo Plain, Suzaki, Fukagawa” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). An eagle hovers over the snowy coastal plain, Mt Tsukuba and the Chiba mountains in the distance. Collectors at the beginning of the 20th century considered this the pre-eminent design from the set. Since then Ohashi has replaced it.

                                                                     

                                                                    Fine impression, colour and condition. A nice early impression. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                     

                                                                    Status: Sold

                                                                     

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                                                                      Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                                      Atago shita Yabukoji, “Bamboo Lane Below Atago Hill” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). A snow scene showing figures beside a stream, Atago Hill was to the right and lay just outside the northeast corner of the mansion of the daimyo of Minakuchi. It was the highest natural point in Edo.

                                                                       

                                                                      Superb impression of the extremely rare first edition. Very fine colour. Left corner margin expertly restored, otherwise fine condition. Large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                       

                                                                      Status: Sold

                                                                       

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                                                                        Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)




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                                                                        A snow scene: Fukagawa kiba, “Fukagawa Timber Yards.” The yards date back and are the result of the Meireki fire of 1657. Large amounts of wood was required for expanding Edo and the wood yards were moved to this area of swampland east of the Sumida River. From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1856). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death, and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi.

                                                                        Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

                                                                        Status: Sold

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                                                                          Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                                          Asakusa Kinryuzan, “The Kinryuzan Temple at Asakusa” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1856). A snow scene showing the oldest Buddhist temple in the city, the Sensoji or Asakusa Kannon, built on the low hill of Kinryuzan. Shows the Kaminarimon gate with the huge lantern with one character of the name shinbashi (a donor’s organisation).

                                                                          Very good early impression and colour. Before the square plug becomes evident on the bottom left. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                          Status: Sold

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                                                                            Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)




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                                                                            Shoheibashi Seido Kandagawa, “Seido Shrine and Kanda River Seen from Shohei Bridge.” The scene under light rain and is near present day Akihabara. From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1857). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death, and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi.

                                                                             

                                                                             

                                                                            Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                             

                                                                             

                                                                            Status: Sold

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                                                                              Utagawa YOSHIKATA (Fl. 1841-1864)



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                                                                              A triptych showing the second battle of Uji River on February 19th, 1184. The centre sheet shows Taira Minamoto Yoshitsune and Benkei with their horses leading the troops to defeat Minamoto no Yoshinaka. The bridge had been dismantled so the small army had to ford the river which was in spate, because of early snow melt, against volleys of arrows and abatis barriers in the river bed (a method of cutting trees down, sharpening their ends and staking them into the river bed facing the enemy). Published by Iseya Tokichi, 1863.

                                                                              Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Isshinsai Yoshikata ga.

                                                                              Status: Sold

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                                                                                Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)




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                                                                                Azuma no mori yoru no ame, “Evening Rain at Azuma Shrine.” From a fine and rare early set Edo kinko hakkei, ”Eight Views in the Environs of Edo.” Shows figures walking along a dike beside the Kita Jumagawa. Azuma Shrine is seen amongst trees to the left. This set was first published privately for the Taihaido Poetry Club by the publisher Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudo) c 1837-8. (Similar to Hiroshige’s first set of fish prints.) For obvious reasons examples of these prints are of the utmost rarity. An entire set is in the Baur Collection, Matthi Forrer, 1994, nos. G492 – G499, this being G498. They have the copyright owner’s name in the left border, Taihaido Nomimasu, who was the head of the poetry club. They also have three poems on each design. The commercial edition, as here, has one or two poems and loses the Taihaido name. (Again, similar to the fish series.) These prints, initially not intended for commercial consumption, are more refined with a greater degree of care taken with the cutting of the blocks. Contrary to later sets, figures are small, pigments are subdued and large foreground objects are not in evidence yet. One of Hiroshige’s finest sets. Rare.

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                                 

                                                                                 

                                                                                Status: Sold

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