Posts by Richard Kruml:
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A triptych showing the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Musashi (centre) battling Shirakura Dengoemon (left) and his henchmen. The story usually relates how a jealous Dengoemon plots to kill Musashi by inebriating him and locking him in a bath house without his sword. However, Musashi, wielding a huge broken beam, slays Dengoemon and his followers aided by Dengoemon’s daughter Itohagi (right) who has fallen in love with Musashi. Kuniyoshi, however, depicts the event beside a mill-stream and a large waterwheel. Seiran, “Clearing Weather” from a set Mitate hakkei, “Selection for the Eight Views.” Published by Joshuya Juzo, 1846.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Available
Price: £3,800
Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)
Click here to view image full size. An orihon with 13 brush drawings, sumi and light colour on paper mounted into an album. Image size 10.75 x 13.75; 27.25 x 35 cm. Painted in the Shijo style which employs the rapid and dexterous use of a brush loaded with pigment to achieve tonality without initial […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. An original 1815 two-sided woodblock carved from cherry wood (yamazakuro), 16 x 8.75 in; 40.5 x 22.25 cm, for the book: Ehon joruri zekku, “Picture Book […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Etchu Tateyama, “Tateyama in Etchu [Province]” from a set Sankai mitate zumo, “Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Seas.” The title is in a traditional sumo umpire’s fan (the gunbai) top right. A set of 20 prints: 10 of mountains, 10 of sea harbours. Published by Yamadaya Shojiro (Kinkyodo) […]
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 likening […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE) (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. Meisho hakkei: Kamakura bansho, “Eight Celebrated Views: Evening Bell at Kamakura” in the oblong title cartouche and written below it: Tsurugaoka yori Boshu yama no kei, “View of the Mountains of Awa Province from Tsurugaoka.” Shows the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. The “Eight Views” theme originates from 11th century […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE) (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. Meisho hakkei: Enoshima seiran “Eight Celebrated Views: Clearing Weather at Enoshima” in the oblong title cartouche and written below it: Koyurugi no iso Morokoshi ga hara “Koyurugi Strand and Morokoshi Plain.” Shows a view of the famous island from Shichiri Beach and Mount Fuji in the distance. The […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE) (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. Meisho hakkei: Fuji bosetsu, “Eight Celebrated Views: Evening Snow on Mount Fuji” in the oblong title cartouche and written below it: Shimo Sengen atomiya nakamiya zenzu, “Complete View of the Inner and Middle Shrines at Shimo Sengen.” A majestic Fuji towers over the shrines. The “Eight Views” theme […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE) (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. Meisho hakkei: Miho rakugan “Eight Celebrated Views: Returning Geese at Miho” in the oblong title cartouche and written below it: Suruga Kiyomidera Yoshiwara enkei, “Distant View of Yoshiwara Station and Kiyomi Temple in Suruga Province.” A blind-printed Mount Fuji is seen on the horizon. The “Eight Views” theme […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. “Flood” from a set Seiu kandankei, “A Barometer of Emotions.” Shows the actor Nakamura Shikan IV as the hero Abe Bungo no Kami battling the flooded Sumida River to ascertain the damage done. Sometimes the scene depicts Hirata Danemon, his retainer, fording the river or accompanying Abe Bungo. […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Kawarazaki Gonjuro I as Danshichi Kurobei from a set: Rien kyokaku den, “The Story of a Chivalrous Man in the Theatrical World.” Kabuki actors playing legendary chivalrous outlaws – otokodate. He is depicted, heavily tattooed, washing off the blood after killing his father-in-law Mikawaya Giheiji. This […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Bando Hikosaburo V as Kenkaya Gorokichi from a set: Rien kyokaku den, “The Story of a Chivalrous Man in the Theatrical World.” Kabuki actors playing legendary chivalrous outlaws – otokodate. This and some other Kunisada sets around this date represent the ultimate in block cutting and […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Matsumoto Koshiro V as Hige no Ikyu from a set: Rien kyokaku den, “The Story of a Chivalrous Man in the Theatrical World.” Kabuki actors playing legendary chivalrous outlaws – otokodate. Ikyu was known as the “Whiskered Ikyu” because of his exaggerated facial hair. He was […]
Kitagawa UTAMARO II (?-1831)
Click here to view image full size. Two beauties getting ready for bed. One is seen behind a bamboo screen while the other approaches holding a bunch of tapers, one of which is lit. From a set: Mutamagawa tsuki mayuzumi, “Six Jewel Rivers: Blackened Eyebrows.” This refers to the practice of geisha to shave their […]
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. A beauty from a set Bijin gosekku, “Fashionable Beauties Associated with the Five Festivals.” This being the Chrysanthemum Festival on the 9th September. Unidentified publisher, c late 1820s. Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight creasing and signs of mounting au verso, otherwise good condition. Signed Eizan hitsu. Status: […]
Utagawa YOSHITORA (Fl. c 1850-1880)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych: Bunji yonen Minamoto Yoshitsune Sesshu Daimotsu no ura nanpu no zu. Shows the vengeful drowned spirits of the Taira clan, defeated in the battle of Dan-no-ura, seeking retribution. The ghoulish samurai rise from the sea led by Taira no Tomomori (far left) and attack the ship […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing three of the prominent samurai commanders in the Taira army in the battle of Ishibashiyama on September 14th1180: Oba (Mataro) Kagehisa (far left), Oba Kagechika (centre), Kajiwara Kagetoki (far right, who in fact defected and spied for Yoritomo). The Taira crushed the Minamoto under the […]
Utagawa KUNINAO (1793-1854)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych Harugeshiki musume dochu sanmai Tsuzuki, “A Young Lady and her Maids Being Transported Across the River in Spring.” Published by Maruya Jinpachi (Enjudo), c 1814. Fine impression and colour. Lightly toned. Extremely large margins. Signed Kuninao ga. Status: Available Price: £2,000
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych of a legendary revenge story: Kiyomori nyudo Nunobiki no taki yuran Akugenta Yoshihira no nei Nanba Jiro o utsu. Shows the ghost of Akugenta Yoshihira, on the centre sheet, appearing in a thundercloud and sending down a lightning bolt to kill Nanba Jiro. Eight years previously […]
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
Click here to view image full size. One of the most influential and innovative print designers, publishers and painters. He is also credited with inventing the hashira-e as well as being the first to use multiple-block printing. A wide hashira-e (habahiro hashira-e, 24 x 6 in; 61 x 15 cms) showing the actor Sanogawa Ichimatsu […]
Shotei HOKUJU (Active 1787-1818)
Click here to view image full size. Kai no kuni Saruhashi no shinsha no zu, “A True View of the Monkey Bridge in the Province of Kai.” An impressive wooden bridge spans a deep chasm. It was called the “Monkey Bridge” because the original rickety plank structure was so precarious that only an agile monkey […]
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 […]
Attributed to Suzuki HARUSHIGE (Shiba KOKAN 1747-1818)
Click here to view image full size. A winter scene with a young courtesan on an engawa gazing at an upturned ladle resting in a water basin formed from a hollow tree trunk. Behind her a young beauty peers out through the shoji. The scene calls to mind the Bell of Damnation (Muken no kane) […]
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. 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 […]
Hishikawa SORI (Active 1797-1813)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, full colour on silk, 43.25 x 14 in; 109.8 x 35.6 cms. An early pupil of Hokusai (who gave him his name Hishikawa Sori in 1798, it previously being Tawaraya). Generally referred to as Sori III. Produced a considerable number of small surimono – some […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Seki and Kameyama from the chuban Muraichi Tokaido. The set of 56 prints published by Muraichi, 1852. Printed two-to-a-sheet uncut and probably from a complete proof set. Double censor’s seals Murata and Kinugasa and date seal 2ic/1852 top right. Fine impressions with strong woodgrain showing. Fine […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Cao Cao (Jap. Shuso) and Pang De (Jap. Hotoku) in the Han river during the battle with Guan Yu. From a set of Chinese warrior prints: Tsuzoku sangokushi eiyu no ichinin, “Heroes of the Popular History of the Three Kingdoms.” Published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1836. Robinson S10.8 […]
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. An early complete 5-sheet (pentaptych) design being a mitate-e of a daimyo’s procession along Kugenuma beach with Enoshima island and Mt. Fuji in the background. Harugasumi hana iki retsu, “Journey in the Spring Mist.” The regional feudal lords (daimyo) were required every alternative year to travel to the […]
Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, sumi and very light colour on paper, 52.5 x 20 in; 133.5 x 51 cms. Keibun studied with his older half-brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. At his best, the equal of Goshun. Noted for his kachoga, as here, showing a bird on […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Otani Tomoemon V as Danshichi Kurobei, a fishmonger and an Osaka otokodate, in the drama Natsu matsuri Naniwa kagami, “Summer Festival: Mirror of Osaka.” From an untitled set of large-head actor portraits published by Gusokuya Kahei, 1869. Based on actual events, the scene depicted here is […]
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 […]
Utagawa YOSHIIKU (1833-1904)
Click here to view image full size. A fascinating triptych showing the backstage activities on the second floor of a kabuki theatre, Gakuya ni-kai no zu. Twenty-one actors are shown, mostly in their street clothes, together with assistants. However, on the right sheet can be seen an actor in full Shibaraku costume while the centre […]
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 […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size. A fine original Kyosai painting, full colour on paper, 51.5 x 21.5 in; 131 x 54.5 cms. Shows Otafuku being carried across a river on the back of a blue oni. They look down with consternation at a red oni who has fallen into the water spilling his […]
Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)
Click here to view image full size. A beauty with a child on her back. Amagoi Komachi from a set Furyu nana Komachi, “Fashionable Seven Komachi.” Events from the life of Ono no Komachi, one of the six best waka poets of the Heian period. Published by Iseya Soemon, c. 1805. Very good impression. […]
Suzuki Jun NANREI (1775-1844)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, sumi and very light colour on paper, 39.5 x 11.5 in; 99.5 x 29 cm. Nanrei was the consummate Shijo artist, much admired by J. Hillier who stated: “… if one wishes to study the Shijo artist par excellence with the gifts and the limitations […]
Onishi CHINNEN (1792-1851)
Click here to view image full size. An original brush drawing, sumi on paper, 8.75 x 12.25 in; 22.2 x 31 cm. Another consummate Shijo artist. A samurai who studied painting under Watanabe Nangaku and Tani Buncho. He not only produced makimono and painting albums of great facility but also ehon such as Azuma no […]
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely unusual tall and narrow painting, sumi and light colour on paper, 55.5 x 4 in; 141 x 10 cm. Kiyochika was much influenced by imported Western lithographs and etchings and was an associate of Charles Wirgman (the English creator of the Japan Punch) and Shimooka Renjo […]
Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)
Click here to view image full size. The ill-fated couple Ianoya Hanbei and Ochiya: the subjects of a famous double suicide in 1722 in Osaka. From a set Jitsu kurabe iro no minakami, “An Array of Passionate Lovers.” Ochiya was banished from the family home by Hanbei’s stepmother, Okuma. However, not able to live apart, […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Taishu kaigan, a Dutch ship off the seashore of Tsushima Province from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” The Japanese island is located off the west coast of the island of Kyushu north of Nagasaki. Published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859 and […]