Posts by Richard Kruml:
Utagawa SADAKAGE (Fl. c. 1818-1844)
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An aizuri-e (blue print) showing a beauty bowing obsequiously with a cup of tea. Shi, “Samurai” from a set of the Four Estates: Shi, Samurai; No, Peasant; Ko, Artisan; Sho, Merchant. Published by Kawaguchiya Chozo, c. 1830s. These blue prints using the imported bero, Berlin blue (what we called Prussian blue), became popular during the 1820s to 1840s as the cost came down.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Gokotei Sadakage ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych with title Taiheike Yakiyama-Goye no zue, “Picture of the Slope of Burning Mountain in the Taiheiki.” Shows the Japanese Daimyo Sato Masakiyo (Kato Kiyomasa), who was a leading general in Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s invasion of Korea, far left, and his men encountering a monstrous serpent surrounded by […]
Miyagawa CHOSHUN (1682-1752)
Click here to view image full size. The pre-eminent painter of the first half of the eighteenth century but not better known because neither he or his pupils are known to have designed any prints. His subjects were invariably beautiful girls and women, which makes this painting especially interesting. Shows two new year manzai dancers. […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Seki from a Tokaido set published by Maruya Seijiro, 1850-51, hence it is often referred to as the Marusei Tokaido. Also known as the Reisho Tokaido because the title “Tokaido” is written in formal script. Below is the station number 48. Seki was located where the two highways […]
Shunkosai HOKUEI (FL. 1829-1837)
Click here to view image full size. A dramatic diptych showing the actor Iwai Shijaku I as Lady Osuma shining her lantern on the actor Bando Jutaro as Sasaya Hanbei from the play Honobonoto ura no asagiri, “Daybreak Hidden on the Bay by Morning Fog.” A revenge drama performed at the Naka no Shibai, Osaka, […]
Santo KYODEN (Kitao MASANOBU) (1761-1816)
Click here to view image full size. A pair of original paintings, full colour on silk, image size 38.5 x 15.5 in; 97.75 x 39.5 cms. Shows a courtesan on the left with a portrait of a novelist on the right. The paintings are signed “By special request” and were presumably commissioned by the novelist […]
Ipposai YOSHIFUSA (1837-1860)
Click here to view image full size. A fine original drawing by Yoshitsuru who was a pupil of Kuniyoshi. Sumi and slight colour on thin paper lightly adhered to a card, 13.25 x 10 in; 33.5 x 25.5 cms. The head drawn in great detail. Probably for an unpublished set of warrior prints. Shows a […]
Kubo SHUNMAN (1757-1820)
Click here to view image full size. One of a series of surimono with title: Guncho gafu, “ Pictorial Record of a Swarm of Butterflies.” (In fact butterflies and moths.) Shunman is recognised as possibly the greatest designer of surimono and the prints from this set are amongst the most beautifully printed in this field. […]
Sakai HOITSU (1761-1828)
Click here to view image full size. One volume complete Oson gafu, “Drawing Book of Oson.” (This being one of the artist’s names taken from the village Uguisu-mura where he lived in retirement.) The Rimpa artist Hoitsu revived the work of Ogata Korin (1658-1716). Dated on the first preface Bunka 13 (1816) and was originally […]
Utagawa KUNISADA II (1823-1880)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing the fight on the roof of the Horyukaku Tower of Koga Castle beside the Tone River. A popular scene from the complex novel Nanso Satomi Hakkenden, “The Diary of Eight Dogs” by Takizawa Bakin (1767-1848). The macabre tale revolves around the eight offspring of a […]
Ryuryukyo SHINSAI (1764-1820)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, sumi and light colour on silk, 32 x 11 in; 81.3 x 28 csms. Shows three classes in Japanese society: Farmer’s wife, Priest and a Samurai, forced to shelter together at the entrance to a Shinto shrine from a sudden downpour of rain. Above, a […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. 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 […]
Kitagawa FUJIMARO (1790-1850)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, full colour on silk, image size 35.25 x 13.5 in; 89.5 x 34.5 cms. Fujimaro was a talented late pupil of Utamaro. More than a dozen paintings are recorded by him including an example in the Portland Art Museum, acc. number 69.51. His best-known work […]
Kikukawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting by Eizan, sumi and full colour on silk, 37 x 13 in; 94 x 33 cms. Eizan was the leading exponent of bijinga in the early 1800s. He founded the Kikukawa School with Eisen his best known pupil. He was left-handed which was somewhat unusual. […]
Matsumura GOSHUN (1752-1811)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, sumi and light colour on silk, 49 x 22 in; 124.5 x 56 cms. Shows a mountainous landscape in snow with figures on a narrow footpath between overhanging cliffs. Goshun was a highly influential artist, known for his geniality and mastery, not only of painting, […]
Maekawa SENPAN (1888-1960); Okamoto IPPEI (1886-1948); Kondo KOICHIRO (1884-1962) et al
Click here to view image full size. A set of two handscrolls in original paulownia storage box, 30 feet x 10 in; 914.4 x 25.4 cms. Sumi and full colour on paper by 18 artists of the Tokyo Manga Association, produced in 1921: 27 paintings in scroll 1; 28 paintings in scroll 2. The scrolls […]
Eishosai CHOKI (Active c. 1781-1813)
Click here to view image full size. A yellow ground aiban showing the high-ranking courtesan Hinazuru of the Chojiya House with her two kamuro Tsuruji and Tsuruno. Little is known of his life: Probably a pupil, together with Utamaro, of the artist Toriyama Sekien. His output was limited, leaving a small corpus of work, but […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Station Ishiyakushi from Tokaido gojusan-tsugi no uchi, “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.” This seminal work was possible because Hiroshige was asked to accompany an official procession along the Tokaido Road from Edo to Kyoto in 1832, and he made numerous sketches to document the journey. An evening scene […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Ushiwakamaru (Yoshitsune) defeats the priest Tankai of Shirakawa at the Gojo Shrine under a full moon. Hachikai, Gojo no Yashiro ni Ushiwakamaru Shirakawa no Tankai o uchitori from the set Yoshitsune ichidaiki no uchi, “The Life of Yoshitsune.” Published by Tsuruya Kiemon (Senkakudo) 1832-34. Fine impression and […]
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
Click here to view image full size. Two sumo wrestlers from the East Side: Kurateyama Yadayu (right) and Izumigawa Rin’emon (left) from a fine set of double portraits: 5 from the West Side, 6 from the East Side. No publisher’s seal but probably published by Toyoshimaya Bunjiemon (Bunkindo) c. mid 1780s. Fine impression. Very […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. The Yoro Waterfall. Mino, Yoro no taki, “Mino [Province], Yoro Waterfall” from Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces.” The 32 meters fall cascades down from Mount Tado. Legend has it that the water had rejuvenating properties with the Empress Gensho (A.D. 683-748) having visited and […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Station Numazu from a set Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road,” aka the Reisho Tokaido from the clerical script used in the title, or the Marusei Tokaido after the publisher Maruya Seijiro (Marusei) who published the set 1847-52. An impressive view of Mount Fuji […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Station Hara from a set Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road,” aka the Reisho Tokaido from the clerical script used in the title, or the Marusei Tokaido after the publisher Maruya Seijiro (Marusei) who published the set 1847-52. A huge Mount Fuji towers over […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Station Okitsu from a set Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road,” aka the Reisho Tokaido from the clerical script used in the title, or the Marusei Tokaido after the publisher Maruya Seijiro (Marusei) who published the set 1847-52. The Kiyomi Barrier and Seiken Temple […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Station Fuchu from a set Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road,” aka the Reisho Tokaido from the clerical script used in the title, or the Marusei Tokaido after the publisher Maruya Seijiro (Marusei) who published the set 1847-52. A night scene with travellers arriving […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Station Ejiri from a set Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road,” aka the Reisho Tokaido from the clerical script used in the title, or the Marusei Tokaido after the publisher Maruya Seijiro (Marusei) who published the set 1847-52. Located on the west side of […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Station Kanbara from a set Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road,” aka the Reisho Tokaido from the clerical script used in the title, or the Marusei Tokaido after the publisher Maruya Seijiro (Marusei) who published the set 1847-52. Kanbara, Fujikawa funawatashi, “Kanbara, Ferryboat on […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A silhouetted fireman faces a conflagration; in his left hand he holds a matori, a three-dimensional standard which identifies him and his location. Enchu no tsuki, “Moon and Smoke” from Tsuki hyakushi, “One Hundred Aspects of the Moon.” Published by Akiyama Buemon (Akiyama Seikichi) 1885-1892, this being 1886. […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Shima Sakon Tomoyuki at the battle of Sekigahara, October 21, 1600. Shima was a commander of Ishida no Mitsunari’s forces against Tokugawa Ieyasu and was shot by riflemen (although his body was not found). He is shown being hit by a hail of bullets, his juzo (rosary) […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Ichikawa Ebizo V (Ichikawa Danjuro VII) in a Shibaraku scene as the warrior Usui Arataro Sadamitsu (Taira no Tadamichi) adopting the cross-eyed mie expression to show great emotion. From an untitled set of large-head portraits of actors, past and present, published by Ebisuya Shoshichi (Kinshodo) between […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. The warrior Eda Genzo Hirotsuna avoiding a hail of arrows during the defence of Minamoto Yoshitsuna’s palace at Horikawa, Kyoto in 1185. He was killed during the night attack. Horikawa seiran, “Clearing Weather at Horikawa” from the set Yobuhakkei, “Military Brilliance for the Eight Views.” Each of the […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Jakko Nunobiki no taki, “The Hanging Cloth Waterfall at Jakko Shrine.” So-called because it falls in seven-tiers. The shrine is seen below the fall. From a set of five prints: It was probably intended to be a set of three prints but another two were added, possibly with […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. The Kirifuri waterfall, Kirifuri no taki, santaki no sono ikkei, “The Falling Mist Waterfall, View of One of the Three Falls.” From a set Nikkosan meisho no uchi, “Celebrated Views in the Nikko Mountains.” A group of travellers admire the fall from below. From a set of five […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Kegon no taki, santaki no sono ikkei, “ The Kegon Waterfall, View of One of the Three Falls.” From a set Nikkosan meisho no uchi, “Celebrated Views in the Nikko Mountains.” Three travellers rather precariously perched on a ledge looking down at the fall. From a set of […]
Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)
Click here to view image full size. A pillar print showing the courtesan Ariwara and her young attendant Arishige (below), both of the Tsuruya House. Utamaro’s output of hashira-e was not as great as some other artists, and they are especially difficult to find in good condition because of often being hung on pillars and […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing horse racing in Tokyo. Tokyo Shokonsha [the original name of the Yasukuni Shrine] naigaijin keiba no zu, “Horse Racing for Foreigners and Japanese in Shokonsha Tokyo.” From Tokyo kaika kyoga meisho, “Comic Pictures of Civilised Tokyo.” Published by Maruya Jinpachi (Marujin) 1871. The first Western-style […]
Utagawa YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych Uto Yasukata chugi den, “The Tale of Faithful Uto Yasukata.” Shows Shogun Taro Taira no Yoshikado (centre); Princess Takiyasha right); and Uto Yasukata and his wife (far left) turning into birds. Set in the ruins of Soma Palace. Takiyasha releases a ghost from a cauldron. A […]
Utagawa YOSHIFUSA (Act. 1837-1860)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing the vengeful spirit of Akugenta Yoshihira in a giant ball of fire sending a lightning bolt down on Nanba Jiro. Retaliation for having been defeated and beheaded during the Heiji rebellion. (There are other explanations for Yoshihira’s revenge, but this is the most common.) The […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Spring moon at the shore of Tsukudajima . One of a set of chu-tanzaku prints published by Shogendo, c. 1837. Tsukudajima was one of two islands at the mouth of the Sumida River. Originally a sanbar, it was reclaimed with earth and rocks and given its name by […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A diptych showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX as Kamakura Gongoro Kagemasa in the drama Shibaraku, “Just a moment.” The large sansho (three square) motif was the symbol of the Danjuro clan and is repeated around the border. In the background are peonies, also associated with the Danjuro […]