Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

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Early in his career Hokusai designed a number of occidental prints in various formats. The design offered here is from an aiban set of 5 prints published c 1800:

1) Haneda Benten no zu, “Benten Shrine at Haneda.”
2) Kanagawa oki Hommoku no zu, “View of Hommaku off the Coast of Kanagawa.”
3) Nihon-zutsumi yori Tanaka mo miru no zu, “View of the Fields Seen from Nihon Embankment.”
4) Azumabashi yori Sumida mo miru no zu, “View of the Sumida River from Azuma Bridge.”
5) And this print: Takinogawa Iwama no zu, “View of the Cave of Takinogawa.”

Shows travellers crossing a plank bridge and climbing a path up beside the cave seen far left with a metal grill. Of the utmost rarity: Another impression is illustrated in The Western-Style Colour-Prints in Japan, Usaburo Toyama, Daiichi-Shobo, 1936, pl. 101, p. 151. From the collection of Toyosaku Saito. This and possibly another impression in Japan are the only other impressions known.

Fine impression and colour. The decorative border left and right trimmed. Some edge damage left, top and bottom. One crease and minor soil; but generally good condition. Unsigned.

 
Status: Sold