Japanese Prints London
Dealing in fine Japanese prints, paintings and books since 1968
Japanese Prints London
Dealing in fine Japanese prints, paintings and books since 1968
Richard Kruml
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
An amorous couple beside a screen decorated with a large chrysanthemum. From a set of twelve prints Keisei higo, “Secret Words of a Courtesan” published c 1822-25. Although coming under the heading of shunga, each print is an abuna-e design,…
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
A triptych Goketsu kijutsu kurabe, “A competition Among Powerful Magicians.” Published by Masadaya, 1869. A compilation of well known sorcerers, wizards and magicians. From right to left: Iwafuji Tsubone, Senkanja Yoshitora, Orochimaru, Otomo Wakanahime, Madamaru, Sumizu Kanja Yoshitaka, Mori Soiken,…
Tsukioka SETTEI (1710-1786)
Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. An original painting, sumi and full colour on silk, 38 x 12.5 in; 96 x 32 cms. Settei produced many illustrated books but after around 1765…
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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…
Utagawa KUNISADA II (1823-1880)
A triptych showing Prince Genji in a boat with attendant page and a lady watching female awabi (abalone) divers called ama. These women were a great curiosity for the public and seen as rather risqué characters. Prince Genji was the…
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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…
Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)
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…
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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…
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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…
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE) (1777-1835)
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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.…
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,…
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.…
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…
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,…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.”…
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).…
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…