Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A surimono showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro II as Soga no Goro Tokimune holding the giant arrow prior to sharpening it on the large wetstone from the play Yanone Goro. From a series of surimono that paid tribute to the various generations of the Danjuro family. There are two versions of this set of surimono and some ambiguity as to which is the earlier. They are known with blank borders, lacking metallic pigments and signed Ko Toyokuni hitsu (except one design signed Toyokuni II and probably issued in 1833). The other, as here, is signed Toyokuni hitsu, has metallic pigments and the emblem of the Gogawa Poetry Club around the border. The poets were also changed for this issue. It seems that the first version was issued by the Danjuro Fan Club in 1825 and that the reissue, c 1830s, was by the Gogawa. One poem by Ryueishi. The finest design from the set.
Very fine impression with metallic pigments. Fine colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni hitsu.
Status: Available
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting, sumi and colour on silk, 10.5 x 8.75 in; 26.7 x 22.2 cms. A beauty after a bath. Signed Toyokuni ga with his kakihan. In very good condition.
Status: Available
Click here to view image full size.
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
An original drawing by the first Toyokuni. An hanshita-e diptych for a published set of triptychs with title: Yakusha juni tsuki, “Actors in the Twelve Months.” Shows the actors (from the left) Bando Mitsugoro III holding a pipe; Iwai Hanshiro V with an open book; Nakamura Utaemon III about to write a poem; and Segawa Roko IV with another pipe. They are compared to the months of the year, in this case July, the month of the Bon Odori festival and are also a parody of the Six Immortal Poets. The print published by Yamashiroya Toemon (active c. 1801-1817). In fact this set was published Spring, Bunka 6 (1809). Sumi on thin paper laid around edges onto another sheet. Some pentimenti and also shows the initial hurried under-drawing and with annotations for the finished print. Sold together with the two published sheets which shows the lanterns removed at top, the brazier bottom centre and other minor changes. In indifferent condition. An illustrated example of this complete triptych is in the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts.
The print signed Toyokuni ga. Original hanshita-e by Toyokuni I are extremely rare. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A large surimono which shows Danjuro VII in Shibaraku on a fan on the right. He did, in fact, perform Shibaraku in the 11th month kaomise performance at the Morita-za theatre in 1812 (which fits the style of Toyokuni’s signature). However, the rest of the design appears to be a program for a dance recital with the names of dances and below the names of Nagauta School musicians and Hayashi percussionists. This makes the exact reason for the print difficult to determine. Extremely rare: Possibly the only known impression.
Very good impression and colour. Slight surface soil and vertical fold (as usual), otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A surimono in the form of an ema (literally “picture-horse”) which were votive tablets left at Shinto shrines. The upper right plaque shows an actor in Shibaraku role with characters reading ganshu (temple petitioner) Bunri. Below, ten poems by poets from Edo, Kyoto and Osaka. The poem below the actor is signed Shikan which was the stage name and literary name of Nakamura Shikan I (Utaemon III, 1778-1838) who is most likely the actor portrayed. The text on the top left panel begins with San kudari indicating the 3rd came back, suggesting a return by Utaemon to Edo from acting in Kyoto or Osaka. Issued c 1810s. Very rare.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
An extremely rare and unusual e-goyomi surimono for the year of the Horse, 1822, the long and short months running along the top of the theatre curtain. The surimono shows the Ichimura Theatre in Edo. The theatre curtain over the stage is a flap that hinges up to reveal the actors within. The characters on the curtain in pink and gold read: Shinjo hiiki renchu, “An offering from the [associated] patronage clubs.” (In fact, three fan clubs plus a daimyo, Mori Narimoto, whose poem top left is signed with his art name Ryuotei Edo No Hananari.) The three actors revealed are, from left to right, Seki Sanjuro II, Onoe Kikugoro V, and Ichikawa Danjuro VII in the play Three Famed Warriors Crossing Paths. However, they are not shown in character but dressed casually. Their emblems appear on the curtain: the waterfall-ascending carp for Danjuro; the chrysanthemum for Kikugoro; and the crosshatch for Sanjuro. Another impression is illustrated in The Private World Of Surimono, Sadako Ohki and Adam Haliburton, Yale University Press, 2020, no 59, p. 213. An impression missing the flap is illustrated in Surimono: Prints By Elbow, Edythe Polster and Alfred H. Marks, Lovejoy Press, 1980, F-D 1933-4-898, p. 441 and 437. Provenance: Ex H. Beres collection, sold Sothebys, Paris, 27/11/2002, lot 85. Seal on reverse.
Very good impression and colour with gold and silver. Very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa Toyokuni I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A pupil of Toyoharu, he is best known for his fine actor prints at the end of the 18th century. He had many pupils. A koban surimono showing Ichikawa Danjuro VII in Shibaraku with the voluminous costume and chikara gami “strength papers” sticking up at the back of his wig. Issued for the New Year 1810 (confirmed by the characters hatsu-ushi [“the first year of the ox”] in the first line of the left-hand poem). Interestingly, Danjuro did perform Shibaraku in the play Misao no hana toba koizuka at the Ichimura-za theatre just a couple of months before (11th month, 1809). The role name being Kaneomaru.
Very good impression and colour. Minor toning, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A fascinating triptych: Edo sanshibai yakusha nigao seisha nishiki-e, “Brocade Print of True Copies of Actor Likenesses in the Three Theatres of Edo.” Shows all the actors appearing in the three theatres at that time: Nakamura-za, Ichimura-za, Morita-za, with the roles for which they were famous. For example, jitsuaku, “truly evil” or katakiyaku, “villains.” Below the crests of the three theatres is Kabuki O-iri, “Kabuki Full Houses.” Published between 11/1799 and 1/1801 (Arashi Hinasuke II died in 2/1801).
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Utagawa Toyokuni hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
The actor Nakamura Utaemon II playing two roles (out of seven), Nana yaku no uchi, which are: the Manzai street entertainer Tsuchiemon (seated) and Kudayu’s daughter Okumi, in the play Chushin koshaku performed at the Nakamura-za Theatre, 7/1812.
Very good impression and colour. Minor creasing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
The actors Matsumoto Koshiro V (right) as the barber Nagata Taro; in reality Kamada Masakiyo, and Segawa Michinosuke I as Genkichi’s wife, Osoro; in reality Nagata’s younger sister, in the play Wakazakari Heike Monogatari, performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 11/1806. Published by Hachi.
Very good impression and colour. Minor creasing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
The actor Onoe Matsusuke I as the ghost of the wife of Kohada Koheiji in the play Eiri otogi zoshi performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 7/1808. In fact, Matsusuke played both the wife and Kohada Koheiji. One of the best plots in Kabuki: Kohada Koheiji was a third-rate kabuki actor who couldn’t find work. His drama teacher, taking pity on him, bribed a director to give him work. On seeing him, the director immediately saw his potential as a yurei (ghost) because of his appearance – white skin, dark, sunken eyes and long hair. And at this he became extremely successful. However, his wife Osoka, was embarrassed by him and took a lover. Together, they planned to kill him which they did by drowning him in a swamp. This gave him his greatest yurei role and he came back to haunt them to death. Published by Tsuruya Kinsuke, 1808.
Very good impression and colour. Minor creasing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1821)
Click here to view image full size.
The actor Ichikawa Omezo I in the role of Hannya no Goro in a Shibaraku scene. Part of the play Monomiguruma yuki no takadono performed at the Morita-za Theatre, 11/1810. Published by Kawachiya Genshichi. A striking design.
Fine impression and colour. Small expertly repaired binding holes at top, otherwise fine condition. Full size. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
Shows the actor Onoe Shoroku I as Osakabehime, Princess Osakabe, a phantom who haunted the battlements of Himeji Castle. The character appeared in the play Matazoro Shoroku Osakabe banashi performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre from 22/5/1814. But this is probably a shini-e published the following year as it bears the information that Shoroku was 71 when he died (10/1815). Shoroku was renowned for his ghost roles. Published by Yamaguchiya Tobei who also published an impressive Kunisada vertical diptych of the same subject in 1814.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
The actor Sawamura Sojuro III in the role of Lord Ashikaga Yorikane on board the pleasure boat Takaomaru from the play Kimigatede Yoshiwara sodachi performed at the Miyako-za Theatre, 7/1795. This is the right-hand sheet of a famous diptych. The left sheet (showing Segawa Kikunojo III as the courtesan Takao) is illustrated in the Popper collection, no. 245, Parke Bernet sale catalogue, 9/1972. Another impression was in the Vever collection, illustrated in Vever sale catalogue, Sotheby & Co, Part 1, lot 278, p. 260, 26/3/1974. Published by Senichi (Izumi-ya), 1795 when Toyokuni was producing his greatest designs.
Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A hosoban showing the actor Iwai Kiyotaro II as Arakawa Taro and standing above him in an onnagata role Osagawa Tsuneyo II as the lady Koromode Gozen in the play Toki ni oshu Tsubo no ishibuni performed at the Ichimura-za Thatre in the 11th month 1802. At the top right is a seal which reads Inu, “Dog” (for Dog year 1802). Published by Murataya Jirobei.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga. e actor Kataoka Nizaemon VII (1755-1837) as Togoro. A striking design and probably unique. There are similar prints signed by Chorakusai (Seikoku) and the publisher Suharaya Tosuke was active c. 1812-1829 and is known to have published prints by Seikoku. Published c. 1817.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1768-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
An actor print showing Ogino Isaburo II as the bandit Kaido Saburo standing with axe, and Matsumoto Koshiro V as Taira no Masakado in the play Otoko narikeri onna Masakado, “What Men ? A Female Masakado” performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 11/1801. Published by Izumiya Ichibei.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
The actor Segawa Roko III as the Lady Onoe in the play Yanoji Musubi hana no gyoretsu, performed at the Nakamura-za Theatre, 4/1806.
Very good impression and colour. Minor creasing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
An important painting: Nanadaime Danjuro sugata-e, “Portrait of Danjuro VII.” Painted at the end of the Bunka period ( c. 1815 ), it shows the young Danjuro after his succession. He wears the Danjuro mimasugoshi, Danjuro’s triple-plaid kimono pattern. His favourite tobacco pouch with the bat-shaped catch is hanging at his waist. He is looking at two butterflies. An allusion to the famous story of Zhuang Zhou who dreams of being a butterfly, only to wake and wonder if he is, in fact, not a butterfly dreaming of being Zhuang Zhou. The story symbolizing the evanescence of life. A similar painting of Nakamura Utaemon II dated 1812 is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acc. No. 11.7864. Full colour on silk. Image size 23.25 x 11 inches; 59 x 28 cms. Two repaired wormholes not affecting image, otherwise very good condition. Interesting old embroidered and hand-painted mount. Signed Utagawa Toyokuni ga with seals Ichiyosai and Toyokuni.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
An extremely rare complete pentatych ( each sheet numbered at the bottom ): Shin Yoshiwara sakura no keshiki, “Cherry Blossom in the Yoshiwara.” A panorama of the main Nakanocho street in early April with transplanted cherry trees. The main entrance to the right on the first sheet, the other sheets showing a multitude of courtesans, kamuro, shinzo manservants and customers. A fascinating design with a multiplicity of small vignettes. Cherry blossom was used as a euphemism for the quickly fading beauty of the courtesan. Published c 1810 by Yamatoya Kyubei.
Very good impression; very good colour. Slight horizontal line near bottom edge and slight thinning otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga on each sheet.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
Ehon kukuri-zome, “Tie-Dyed Work”. Two volumes complete. Original covers and one title slip. Published by Izumiya Ichibei, 1794. Shows bijin at famous spots around Edo. Some backed wormage on vol. 2 and some damage to covers, but otherwise good condition with exceptional, pristine colour. Extremely rare. Ex Haviland and Duret collections.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
Shows Tamagiku of the House of Tama from the extremely rare set of seven prints Bijin nanakomachi, “Beauties of the Seven Komachi” from Toyokuni’s best period ( c.1793-7 ). A parody of the Noh play Sekidera Komachi showing the courtesan writing a letter to her client. To her left is Komachi’s poem about aging. Ono no Komachi, the beautiful ninth century poetess, was inspiration for many prints. Ex Matsuki collection.
Fine impression and colour with extensive embossing. Yellow ground. Full size. Fine condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
Six beauties representing the Six Tama Rivers: Kimuta, Noji, Ide, Chofu, Koya and Noda. They are shown fulling, washing and drying cloth. The streams were noted for their purity – an attribute being bestowed on the girls. A beautiful composition published by Omiya Yohei, c 1804.
Fine impression. Apart from the slight turning of the elusive blue, the colour is extremely well preserved. Very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
Shows a seated lady holding a fan compared to the actor Segawa Senjo ( previously known as Segawa Kikunojo III, inset in fan upper left ). From a series Ukiyo butai-ko Senjo-fu, “Fragrance from the Floating World’s Stage, in the Style of Senjo.” Published by Tsumuraya Saburobei, c 1810.
Fine impression. Light yellow ground. Very good colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga with an unidentified collector’s seal.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A beauty climbing stairs, the ninth month from a set of twelve. Published c 1813 by Nishimuraya Yohachi. Beauties ascending stairs was a stock subject for ukiyo-e artists. I’m not sure why.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A beauty from a set Furyu hakkei, “Fashionable Eight Views.” Each beauty represents one of the famous Eight Views of Omi, here being Evening Glow at Seta.This theme, which originates from China, is often encountered in Japanese art. Shows a young woman unrolling a scroll with a view (presumably) of Seta Bridge. An extremely rare set with the designs standing alone but also forming diptychs. Three other single prints from the set are illustrated in Ukiyoe-e Taikei, vol. 9, no. 6, Night Rain, in colour, and nos. 101, Evening Snow and 102, Returning Sail, in b/w. A complete (faded) diptych is in the MFA Boston, Returning Sail and Returning Geese, 21.7473-4. I cannot, at the moment, locate another impression of this design. Published by Izumiya Ichibei (Kansendo) c 1794 – Toyokuni’s best period. Provenance: Ex collection Hayashi (seal bottom left) and Louis Gonse. A beautiful print.
Fine impression. Slight loss of gold in cloud at top but otherwise fine colour. Fine condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
Two volumes complete Yakusha sangaikyo, “Amusements of Actors on the Third Floor” (iez the dressing-rooms or green rooms). Published Kansei 13 (1801) by Nishimiya Shinroku and Yorozuya Tajiemon, Edo. An extremely rare and important work showing actors engaged in various private pursuits and not on stage, as is normal. Original covers and title slips. Ex Duret and Gillot collections.
Slight turning of some colours on vol two and some slight thumbing on bottom corners of some sheets, but overall very good and an essential item for any serious collection.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A fanciful version of the Yoshino River scene in Act III from the play Imoseyama onna teikin, “The Teachings for Women.” Two families own estates on opposite sides of the Yoshino River. The son of one, Koganosuke, falls in love with the daughter, Hinadori, of the other oblivious of the fact that the two families are bitter enemies. The couple rather commit suicide than be separated. In fact, the play was performed at the Kawarasaki-za Theatre, 7/1801, although this does not depict the actual performance. Interestingly, the publisher’s seal is omitted which is exactly the same as two other impressions in MFA, Boston, acc. no 21.7783-5 and the Salt and Tobacco Museum in Japan.
Very good impression. Extremely good colour. Very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A very fine portrait of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VI in kumadori make-up and assuming an aragoto stance. The quality, date, style and publisher are the same as for his finest set of Portraits of Actors on Stage published 1794 – 6 although this design appears not to be from the set and I cannot locate another impression. There is a bust of Danjuro, probably in the same role, by Toyokuni in the same year – 1796 in the Achenbach, San Francisco. Published by Senichi.
Extremely fine impression and colour. Grey ground. A seal at bottom which appears on many Toyokuni I and Toyoshige prints and is probably a book and/or print seller ( it gives an address ). Very small binding holes at left edge. Full size. Fine condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
Shows Iwai Hanshiro IV as the wet nurse Masaoka and Sawamura Tozo as the evil serving lady Yashio in the play Omiura date nebiki performed at the Nakamura-za, 2/1799. Published by Eijudo. Light grey ground.
Fine impression, and condition. Perfect colour and completely untrimmed. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A silver mica-ground double bust portrait of Hikosaburo Bando III as Kan Shojo ( Sugawara Michizane ) disgraced and sent to Tsukushi, and Kataoka Nizaemon VII as Hakudayu from the play Sugawara denju tenarai kagami, “Sugawara’s Secrets of Calligraphy.” The play was written for the puppet theatre in 1746 and quickly adapted for Kabuki. Published by Yamaden, Kansei 8 ( 1796 ). Extremely rare. Unidentified collector’s seal au verso.
Fine impression. Perfect colour. Some slight loss of mica ( as per usual ) and a slight centre fold. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
An aiban bust portrait showing Iwai Hanshiro IV in an onnagata role. Published by Yamaguchi Chusuke c 1794. Another aiban okubi-e of the same actor in another onnagata role and of the same date was published by Tsuruya Kiemon. A rare and fine design.
Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769 – 1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A complete diptych showing Kagekiyo and Mihonoya no Shiro battling. This is an episode from the beginning of Chapter 5, “The Dropped Bow” in book 11 of the Heike Monogatari, “ Tales of the Heike.” This episode, which took place in 1184, has the Genji warrior Mihonoya no Shiro confronting the Heike Kagekiyo on the beach at Yashima. Published c 1815 by Yamamotoya Heikichi.
Fine impression and in exceptional condition. Fine colour with large borders left and top. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769 – 1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A wonderful design showing the actor Ichikawa Ebizo VI ( Danjuro VIII ) holding a large umbrella with his face reflected in a mirror held by an acolyte. Two poems above by Sakuragawa Jihinari and Jihinari’s son Oya no Omokage. In fact these two writers also composed poems for two other Toyokuni surimono of Danjuro around the same date, c. early 1820s. ( See The Art of Surimono, Roger Keyes, 1985, no. 348, p. 400 and One Hundred Surimono in the collection of Sidney C. Ward, 1976, no. 50, p. 62. ) Extremely rare.
Fine impression. Minor creasing and turning of purple, otherwise very good colour and condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I ( 1769-1825 )
Click here to view image full size.
An elegant triptych showing tofu being prepared and other ladies on an engawa with various fish dishes. The restaurant or inn is beside a stream which is heavily planted with flowers. Published c 1809 by Tsuruya Kinsuke.
Very good impression. Perfectly retained colour. Full size. Perfect condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
The actors Otani Tomoemon II as Iwaki Yagenji and Bando Mitsugoro II as Wakato Tomoji in the play Tsuki wa Musashino aki no sewa goto performed at the Kiriza theatre, 7/1797. One of Toyokuni’s best double bust portraits. Published by Moriya Jihei 1797. Ex Hayashi collection ( seal top left ).
Fine impression. Very good colour. Very slight centre fold and one small wormhole. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A double actor portrait showing Ichikawa Yaozo III in the role of Ume no Yoshibei, and Segawa Kikunojo III as his wife Koume, in the play Zoho Ume no Yoshibei performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre in the 4th month of 1801 ( Kyoho 1 ). Published by Uemura Yohei. Toyokuni was the pupil of Utagawa Toyoharu and went on to produce some of the finest actor prints of the period.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A double actor portrait showing Arashi Hinasuke II in the role of Fuwa Banzaemon, and Segawa Kikunojo III as the lady Okuni Gozen, in the play Jujo Genji Monogusa Taro performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre in the 8th month of 1800 ( Kansei 12 ). Published by Nishimuraya Yohachi. Toyokuni was the pupil of Utagawa Toyoharu and went on to produce some of the finest actor prints of the period.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size.
A fine double actor portrait showing Segawa Kikunojo III as Wakasa no tsubone, and Arashi Sanpachi I as Miura Danjo in the play Utsukushiya yuki no sekai, performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre in the 11th month of 1799 ( Kansei 11 ). Published by Nishimuraya Yohachi. Toyokuni was the pupil of Utagawa Toyoharu and went on to produce some of the finest actor prints of the period.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769–1825)
Click here to view image full size.
An extremely fine triptych showing beauties and families outside the famous dry goods store Ebisuya. ( Two roundels with the shop’s symbol Ebisu – one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck – are on either side of the entrance. ) Besides the elegance of the figures, there is an added anthropological perspective as we can view the crowds of customers inside the building. Presumably Ebisuya was the prime motivator in getting this print published. Another impression ( ex Spaulding collection ) is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, accession number: 21.7744. Published by Takasu Soshichi, c 1795. Very rare.
Fine impression with exceptionally well preserved colour. One small area affected by damp, otherwise in remarkably fine condition. Full size. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769–1825)
Click here to view image full size.
The centre sheet of a hosoban triptych possibly showing Danjuro VI as Ashikaga Takauji or Prince Takahiro. Ex collection Walter von Scheven, 1878 – 1950, and purchased by him at Altkunst, Berlin in 1929. A fine design.
Fine impression and colour. Very small repaired binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Unsigned.
Status: Sold