Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Shinyoshiwara asazakura no zue, “Morning Cherries at Yoshiwara” from Toto Meisho, “Famous Views of the Eastern Capital.” Hiroshige’s first landscape set of ten prints published c 1831 by Kawaguchiya Shojo. An early morning scene with low lying mist. A client takes leave of his companion.
Fine impression. The first edition with ochre patterned border. Missing on later editions. Fine colour. Thinned area top right border and minimal soil in right border. Large margins. ( The publisher’s name and address in right border is often trimmed off. ) Signed Ichiyusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
The Benten Shrine, Inokashira Pond in a snowstorm, Inokashira no ike Benzaiten no yashiro no kei. One of a set Meisho setsu gekka, “Famous Places: Snow, Moon and Flowers.” ( The other two are Flowering Cherries at Kogamei and Autumn Moon at Takanawa. ) A fine and rare snow scene, this being the hard to get first edition with publisher’s seal Riuya Zenbei (?) left centre bottom. A later edition altered the seal to circular and moved it to the right border. An even later reissue was published by Marujin, his and the censor seal being in the left margin. This state had the sky block recut with heavy snowflakes and completely ruins the design. For this state see Japanese Prints & Drawings From The Vever Collection, Jack Hillier, Sothebys, 1976, no. 926, p. 950. Also Tamba, no. 223 ( later edition ) and Suzuki, no. 146 ( first edition ). Ex collection Walter von Scheven, 1878 – 1950, and purchased by him from R. Wagner, Berlin in 1921.
Fine impression and colour. Minor edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Fujikawa from the so-called “Upright Tokaido.” One of the two snow scenes from the set. Published by Tsutaya, Hare 7, 1855. Ex collection Paul-Louis de la Noe, 1879-1919, ( an acquaintance of the Goncourt brothers, Bing and Hayashi ).
Fine, very early impression. Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A chu-tanzaku view: Matsuchiyama-no yukihare, “Clearing Weather After Snow at Matsuchiyama.” From a set of at least 15 prints: Famous Places of the Eastern [ Edo] Capital.” Published c early 1830s by Fujihiko.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Tsukudajima hatsu kakko, “The First Cuckoo at Tsukudajima Island” from Hiroshige’s first major landscape set of 10 prints with title Toto Meisho published by Shoeido c 1831-2. This is the rare first state: with ochre border; graded blue on water, and with the publisher’s name and address in right margin. Ex Ernest Le Veel collection. Sold Ader-Picard-Tajan, 24/10/1980, lot 96.
Fine impression and colour. Slight soil at left border. With the publisher’s name and address which is often trimmed on right, eg even the Pulverer impression pl 6, Hiroshige, Matthi Forrer, 1997. Very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A chu-tanzaku showing a wild boar beside a waterfall. This was probably designed for a set of twelve zodiacal signs set. Other known prints from this group are: Ox, Dog, Hare, Tiger, Monkey and Horse. All are extremely rare. Indeed, I cannot locate another impression of this print. Published c 1830 by Fujihiro.
Fine impression. Restored wormhole centre right and slight centre fold. Otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Evening with full moon and bats flying over irregular wood stacked in a timberyard. A well known print. One third block, 9.75 x 5 in; 25 x 12.5 cms. The only complete uncut example seems to be that illustrated in Four Hundred Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints From The Museum Of Art, Rhode Island School Of Design, 1990, no. 167, which shows the companion prints to be butterflies and wild grasses and tuna and white radish. Hiroshige designed another bat print, otherwise it?s a rare subject for ukiyoe. Ex collection Paul-Louis de la Noe, 1879-1919, ( an acquaintance of the Goncourt brothers, Bing and Hayashi ). Published c late 1830s.
Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A quarter-block, 6.5 x 4.25 in; 16.5 x 11 cms, print showing a titmouse perched on a cherry blossom branch. Published c late 1830s. Ex collection Paul-Louis de la Noe, 1879-1919, ( an acquaintance of the Goncourt brothers, Bing and Hayashi ). Probably unique.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A quarter-block, 6.5 x 4.25 in; 16.5 x 11 cms, print showing two horse-mackerel and baby aubergines. Published c late 1830s. Ex collection Paul-Louis de la Noe, 1879-1919, ( an acquaintance of the Goncourt brothers, Bing and Hayashi ). Probably unique.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
A quarter-block, 4.25 x 6.5 in; 11 x 16.5 cms, print showing a cuckoo flying against a full moon. This bird is usually associated with the moon and is a harbinger of spring. Published late 1830s. Ex collection Paul-Louis de la Noe, 1879-1919, ( an acquaintance of the Goncourt brothers, Bing and Hayashi ). Probably unique.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Sakana zukushi, A Fish Series, this design showing Ise-ebi, Kuruma-ebi and Shima-ebi, Lobster [ with roe ], Prawn and Shrimp. A half-block set of the utmost rarity. Indeed, this might be the only recorded example. One other design from the same set is illustrated in Hiroshige, The Albuquerque Museum, 1983, no. 327. Published c late 1830s. Ex collection Paul-Louis de la Noe, 1879-1919, ( an acquaintance of the Goncourt brothers, Bing and Hayashi ).
Fine impression and colour. Slight edge soil with small repairs to to top left and right corners, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
An original preparatory drawing for an unpublished set: Toto Fujimi junigatsu, “Mount Fuji Viewed from the Eastern Capital Through the Twelve Months”, this being Mutsuki. Sumi on paper, c. 1850-55, 9.5 x 13.75 in; 24.5 x 35 cms. Shows a full ferry crossing the Sumida. Slight soil and centrefold, but generally very good condition. Ex collection Beres, sold Paris 2002, lot 182.
Status: Sold