Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Dog from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Hata Rokurozayemon, a follower of Nitta Yoshisada, with an array of weapons and accompanied by his dog. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Cock from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Kwaido Maru, the boy Kintoki, umpiring a match between a cock and a young tengu. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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A triptych, Akechi Samanosuke Mitsuhara kosui joho Karasaki matsu no zu. Shows Akechi Samanosuke Mitsuhara swimming with his horse, his kikyo (Chinese bell flower) standard tied to his back, across Lake Biwa to his cousin’s house at Sakamoto where he kills Mitsuhide’s wife and children to prevent them being captured. The Karasaki pine can be seen in the background. The event takes place in 1582. One of Kiyochika’s best designs. Published 1899.
Fine impression and colour. Album backing and slight vertical fold on centre panel. Signed Kiyochika hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Snake from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Nitta Shiro (Tadatsune) inside Mount Fuji during Yoritomo’s hunting party (1193) encountering snakes and a vision of the goddess of the mountain. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Dragon from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Susa-no-o-no-Mikoto standing on a rock and observing a dragon under the waves. (Probably the eight-headed dragon he slew in Idzumo.) Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Tiger from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Kashiwade no Omi Hatebe (sic, usually Hadesu) engaging with a tiger that had killed his daughter. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Hare from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Iga Jutaro, the elderly retainer of Soma Yoshikado, sacrificing a hare in a Buddhist temple. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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A triptych, Ujigawa Kajiwara Kagesue, Sasaki Takatsuna, miju uma. Yoshitsune is informed that Kiso no Yoshinaka is entrenched behind the natural defence of the Uji river, then in full flood. Yoshitsune calls on Kajiwara Kagesue and Sayemon-no-jo Sasaki Shiro Takatsuna to make an attempt at fording the river. He gives them his best horses: Surusumi to Kagesue and Iketsuki to Takatsuna. They plunge into the river with Takatsuna, dodging the hail of arrows, arriving first. One of Kiyochika’s best designs. Published 1899.
Fine impression and colour. Album backing and slight vertical fold on centre panel. Signed Kiyochika.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Monkey from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows the Monkey King, Songoku (Sun Wu K’ung) conjuring up an army of monkeys to attack his enemy the pig. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Ox from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows the robber Kidomaru under a buffalo hide looking at his reflection in water while attempting to ambush and kill Raiko. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Horse from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Soga Goro (Tokimune) galloping from Hakone to Mount Fuji to meet his brother Juro and fulfill their revenge in the course of Yoritomo’s great hunting party in 1193. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Goat from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows the Chinese hero Kwanu (Kuan Yu) seated drinking under a pine tree with a goat. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Rat from a chu-tanzaku set of twelve prints Buyu mitate junishi, “Chosen Heroes for the Twelve Signs.” Based on the Chinese zodiac system of twelve animals. Shows Raigo Ajari at the Onjoji monastery, Miidera, turning the Buddhist scriptures into rats. Oye no Masafusa looks on in dismay. Published by Minatoya Kohei, c. 1840.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Shows Tametomo’s faithful retainer Kiheiji who is left behind by mistake when Tametomo sails for Japan from the Ryukyu Islands. He throws a weighted rope the immense distance to the ship and is hauled in. The best design from Tametomo homare no jikketsu, “Ten Famous Excellences of Tametomo.” A set of ten prints published by Aritaya Seiyemon, c. 1848-51.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Tominomori Sukeemon Masakata, one of the famed Forty-seven Ronin, sword drawn, during the famous night attack on the house of Kono Moronao. The hanging bell, above, was an early intruder alarm system. (Interestingly, it’s also said that squeaks were deliberately incorporated into wooden floors for the same reason.) This unusual western-style set is also rare in having the printer’s name, Ohisa Daiihitsu, on five (including this) of the twelve prints in the set. Published by Sumiyoshiya Masagoro, 1852.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
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Iwanari Chikara no Suke and Shimozu Gonnai struggling in the water from Eimei kumiuchi soroi, “A Series of Famous Fighting Warriors.” Published by Moriya Jihei, 1865.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Gountei Sadahide ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Sagaminokami Hojo Takatoki warding off a group of tengu with his fan. From the fine set Yoshitoshi mushaburui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” Published by Kobayashi, 1883-1886 (this being 1883).
Fine impression and colour. Light toning, otherwise fine condition. This is the first edition. There are a number of later states and the set was republished by Tsunajima in 1886.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Sano Genzaemon cutting his potted trees to warn Hojo Tokiyori. From the fine set Yoshitoshi mushaburui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” Published by Kobayashi, 1883-1886 (this being 1883).
Fine impression and colour. Light toning, otherwise fine condition. This is the first edition. There are a number of later states and the set was republished by Tsunajima in 1886.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Danjo Matsunaga Hisahide preparing to commit suicide. From the fine set Yoshitoshi mushaburui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” Published by Kobayashi, 1883-1886 (this being 1883).
Fine impression and colour. Light toning, otherwise fine condition. This is the first edition. There are a number of later states and the set was republished by Tsunajima in 1886.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Kuro Hangan Yoshitsune and Notonokami Noritsune fighting on a ship’s prow. From the fine set Yoshitoshi mushaburui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” Published by Kobayashi, 1883-1886 (this being 1886).
Fine impression and colour. Light toning, otherwise fine condition. Early edition. There are a number of later states and the set was republished by Tsunajima in 1886.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A chuban print from a set Wakan goki zoroi, “Valour in China and Japan.” Shows Kintaro about to deliver a blow to the Thunder God Raijin (the God of thunder and lightning – a Japanese Thor). Published by Daisada, 1868. A rare set.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Wada Heita Tanenaga (1182-1213), short sword in hand, struggling with a giant python. He was a renowned archer and retainer of Minamoto no Yoriie. Various stories tell of how he came across the python in a cave or saved a village from its carnivorous attacks. From an untitled early set published by Yamashiroya Heisuke, c. 1845. Robinson S1f.8. A striking design and rare.
Very good impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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The apparition of the Sea Monk, Umibozu, looming above the sailor Kawanaya Tokuzo. The best design from Tokaido gojusan tsui, Station 41, Kuwana. The legend has it that Tokuzo, against the advice of his peers, went to sea on the last day of the year. He subsequently experienced huge seas and the monster who demanded to know what was the most horrible thing he knew. He replied that his profession was the most horrid. Satisfied, the creature descended into the Stygian gloom and the storm abated. Published by Kojimaya Jubei, c. 1845. Illustrated in Robinson, Kuniyoshi, HMSO, 1961, no. 49.
Fine early impression with the light blue on the sea. Very good colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A vertical diptych showing the famous waka poet Ono no Komachi (c. 1825-c. 900) being sheltered by attendants from an upcoming storm. She is famous for composing a poem and praying for rain at the behest of the Emperor Junna during a period of drought across Japan. The poem she composed, shown above, she threw into the pond of the Shinsen-en Garden. It started raining after three days . The poem reads: Though it is called the “land beneath the sun [Japan]” surely it must rain here. Published by Kikakudo, c. 1833-35. Rare.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A triptych showing Miyamoto Mushashi (c. 1584-1645) fighting a pack of wolves in the mountains of Hakone watched by Sekiguchi Yataro seated beside a fire. Musashi was a renowned double-bladed swordsman (as seen here) and is considered the sword-saint of Japan. Published by Kiya Sojiro, 4/1861 and is probably Kuniyoshi’s last print.
Very good impression and colour. Slight creasing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A complete hexaptych (six-sheet) design comprising two triptychs: Kawanakajima okassen no zu, “The Great Battle of Kawanakajima,” published by Tsujibun, 6/1866 and Takeda yusho kessen no zu, “The Bloody Battle of the Brave Generals of the Takeda Clan,” published by Tsujibun, 6/1867. The great battles of Kawanakajima took place between 1553 and 1564 between the daimyos Takeda Shingen (1521-1573) and Uesugi Kenshin (1530-1578). Starting as more skirmishes than all out warfare they ended up with a fourth battle where Kenshin is estimated to have had 72% casualties and Shingen 62%. Rare complete.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An early warrior print showing Rokuson Okeigi (Minamoto no Tsunemoto [894-961]) battling a giant dragon. From a set Honcho komei kagami, “A Mirror of Our Country’s Renown Heroes” published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1835.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kocho Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Ono no Tofu (Michikaze) in court robes learns perserverance by watching the efforts of a frog to climb a branch of a willow tree. From a set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published c. 1845 by Enshuya Matabei. Robinson S35.10.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Six uncut double chuban sheets from a bat Chushingura set. Acts 1 to 6: Shodanme; Nidanme; Sandanme; Yodanme; Godanme; Rokudanme. Published c. 1847 by Ibaya Senzaburo. Of the utmost rarity: I cannot, at the moment, locate other examples from this set.
Fine impressions and colour. Vertical centre folds, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga on each sheet.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A design from a set Azuma nishiki ukiyo kodan, “Rough Tales of the Floating World.” Various publishers between 1867 -1868, here Omi-Kyu in 1868. The prints interpret stories told by various well known storytellers, in this case Momokawa Enkoku. Shows the Monkey King (Son Goku) being catapulted into the air by the force of the large palm fan of Princess Iron Fan. (The fan was capable of creating strong winds and putting out fires.) She was a Rasetsunyo, a female protector of Buddhism. A comparatively rare set.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Shows the famous Heron Maiden. There are different versions of this story but the most common tells how a young man finds an injured heron. He nurses it back to health and releases it. Some time later a beautiful young woman appears in his village. He falls in love and they marry. She makes fine brocade which they sell, but she does not allow him to see her making it. Tempted he secretly views her only to discover she is the heron. This is the end of their marriage and the heron flies away. From a set Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts,” sub-title: Sagi musume. The set published by Sasaki between 1889- 1892 (this being 1889). This is the first edition.
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A triptych Masakiyo sankan taiji no zu, “A Picture of Masakiyo Conquering Korea.” The design purports to show Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611) invading Korea, but is probably a reference to the English bombardment of Kagoshima harbour in 1863. There is further confusion by the Koreans being dressed in medieval European costumes. Published by Yamaguchiya in 1864. There is a history in ukiyo-e of commenting on current – but sensitive – events, but setting them in the distant past to avoid censorship.
Fine early impression with burnishing on boat. Fine colour. Slight creases along right edge of sheets, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHICHIKA (Fl. c. 1850-1868)
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A triptych showing the famous battle at Honno-ji Temple, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto in 1582. Honno-ji dai gassen no zu. The Daimyo Oda Nobunaga was at the height of his powers but came under attack from his treacherous samurai general Akechi Mitsuhide and the Oda forces. Nobunaga, his wife Noh and his retainers battle valiantly but he is forced to commit suicide. Published by Fujiokaya Keijiro, 1861.
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ikkesisai Yoshichika ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A triptych showing Kato Kiyomasa (Watonai) attacking a huge man-eating tiger in a snowy Korean landscape. Watonai tora-gari no zu. His henchmen tackle other tigers. This is one of his best known exploits in Korea, there being two expeditions in 1592 and 1597. Published by Yamashiroya Jimbei, c 1846. Robinson T183. A fine and rare design.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHITORA (Active 1836-87)
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Uji Joetsu killing a huge monster with a long-haired albino coat and giant claws. From a set: Honcho kendo tatsujin hyakunin no uchi hitori, “A Hundred Great Swordsmen of Our Country.” Published by Itoya Fukujiro, 1859.
Fine impression. The monster’s coat completely blind-printed. Fine colour. Slightly trimmed, otherwise very good condition. Signed Yoshitora ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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The priest Nichiren standing on the rocky promontory at Reizan in Kamakura and having his prayers for rain answered. The event occurred in 1271. His disciples surround him and protect him from the deluge with a large umbrella. Bunei hachi Kamakura Reizan-ga-saki uki. The second best design from Koso [ Nichiren ] goichidai ryakuzu, “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder.” Nichiren ( 1222 – 1282 ) was the founder of the Buddhist Nichiren sect ( Nichiren shu – Kuniyoshi being a follower ) and indeed the set of ten prints may have been commissioned to mark the 550th anniversary of his death. Published by Iseya Rihei c 1831.
Fine impression and colour. Small repaired binding holes in right margin, otherwise fine condition. Full size with ample room on top border for the umbrella which protrudes beyond the border and is notorious for being trimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Roba kiwan o mochisaru from Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set of thirty-six prints published by Sasaki Toyokichi 1889-1892 (this being 1889). Shows the demon Ibaraki escaping with her severed arm. She had haunted the Rashomon Gate near the Toji Temple in Kyoto. Watanabe no Tsuna is commanded to kill her but only succeeds in cutting an arm off. Knowing she will return he locks it in a box. Subsequently his elderly aunt visits him and asks to see it, whereupon she reverts to her demonic self and seizes the limb. In another version she haunts the Modori bridge, Ichijo, in Kyoto.
Very fine impression of the first edition with burnishing. Fine colour. Very slight crease, otherwise fine condition. Signed Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Hashihime from Buyu nazoraye Genji, “Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji.” Shows Watanabe no Tsuna on horseback and the demon-woman Ibaraki at the Modori bridge, Ichijo, Kyoto. An o-tanzaku set published by Iba-ya Sensaburo, c 1843. The fifty-four Chapters of Genji, the Genji Monogatari, was a tenth century romance by Murasaki-Shikibu. In this version of the story Watanabe is enchanted by a beautiful young woman, but his suspicions are aroused and then confirmed when he sees her reflection in the river which reveals her true demonic self. The outcome of this version is the same with Ibaraki’s arm being cut off.
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Komachizakura no sei from Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts.” The set of thirty-six prints published by Sasaki Toyokichi 1889-1892 (this being 1889). The story relates how Lord Kuronushi is on his way to attempt the overthrow of the Emperor. To make his journey auspicious he stops to build a shrine using an ancient cherry tree. The spirit of the cherry tree appears in the form of Kurozume – a courtesan with magical powers. She extracts the details of the plot and punishes him.
Very fine impression of the first edition with burnishing. Fine colour. Very slight crease, otherwise fine condition. Signed Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
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A dramatic triptych: Kyokyaku Suikoden no uchi: Kogakure no Kiritaro yojutsu o motte sugata o kakasu. The Kyokyaku Suikoden: Kogakure no Kiritaro hiding himself by using witchcraft. The snake, with Kiritaro standing on him, has emanated from the kago in the centre sheet to the confusion of the three attackers: Waniguchi Jinsuke (centre) and Masakino Torazo and Kazama Hanjiro. A stream of rats is emitted from the snake’s mouth. I have not been able to source this story. Published by Kameya Iwakuchi, 1861. Rare.
Fine impression. Very good colour. Sumi marks au verso showing through slightly, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga.
Status: Sold