Posts by Richard Kruml:
Utagawa YOSHIFUSA (Act. 1837-1860)
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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 revenge takes place at the Nunobiki Waterfall near Kobe. The scene watched by Taira no Kiyomori. Published by Omiya Kyujiro (Kinkyu) 1856.
Fine impression. Very good colour although extensive oxidation. Edge crease on centre panel, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ipposai Yoshifusa Ga.
Status: Available
Price: £3,800
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 […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. An original drawing showing a study of a seated woman holding a rosary in front of an incense burner. Sumi and pentimenti on thin paper, 13 x 9.5 in; 33 x 24.5 cm. Sold “as is.” Status: Available Price: £1200
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Misuji no Tsunagoro confronted by Seitaka top left, one of the attendants of Fudo Myo-o. From a set Mitate junishi no uchi, “Comparisons with the Twelve Signs,” this being Tori, “Cock.” Published by Kakumotoya Kinjiro, 1852. Fine impression, colour and […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Lord Hojo Tokimasa, Governor of Totomi Province, praying for good fortune to Benzaiten in the famous Shinto shrine on the island of Enoshima. She explains that his family will flourish for seven generations before she turns into a giant serpent and disappears. Published by Iwatoya Kisaburo (Eirindo), […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Jiraiya from Kijutsu junishi no uchi, “Magic in the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.” This design representing Rooster although what the connection the huge eagle has to this sign of the zodiac is not known (apart from the fact that roosters often […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Bando Hikosaburo V as Inugami Hyobu from Kijutsu junishi no uchi, “Magic in the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.” This design representing Dog. Hikosaburo represents a mythical dog spirit – a canine yokai. Dogs can be seen beautifully graded in the background. Published by Ueki Rinnosuke, […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Ichikawa Sadanji as the monk Raigo Ajari at the Mii-dera temple from Kijutsu junishi no uchi, “Magic in the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac.” This design representing Rat. Raigo transforms into a giant rat because of a grudge against the Emperor Shirakawa and ate the sacred […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A diptych showing Musashi-bo Benkei, renowned for his herculean strength, battling with the young Onzoshi Ushiwaka Maru (Yoshitsune) on Gojo Bridge. The story relates how Benkei (1155-1189) wandered around Kyoto with the intention of relieving 1000 samurai of their swords. One night, with one more sword to go, […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Dai ichidai Jimmu tenno, the first Emperor of Japan, from a set Dai Nihon shiryaku zue, “Short Illustrated History of Great Japan.” Jimmu (711-585 BC), the founder of the Imperial dynasty, launched his military expedition from Hyuga and captured Yamato. He is shown holding his yumi bow with […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Fukuhara densha kaii no zu, “Strange Apparitions.”A triptych showing Taira no Kiyomori, leader of the Taira clan, on the terrace of his palace in Fukuhara haunted by the apparition of the skulls of past enemies in his snowy garden – primarily the Minamoto clan – that he has […]
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU (Fl. 1850-70)
Click here to view image full size. Triptych showing an American steamship. Amerika jokisen, nagasa yonjuken, haba rokken, “American Steamship: Measuring Two Hundred and Sixty Feet long and Forty Feet wide.” Published by Maruya Jinpachi (Enjudo), 1861. A fine depiction. Very fine impression and colour; light burnishing on boat. Album backing; two sheets connected, […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych of Yokohama Honcho no zue, “Honcho [Main Street] in Yokohama.” Shows the busy street one year after the port opened to foreign trade on 2nd June 1859. The Mitsui store is seen at left and the street is thronged with tradesmen and Japanese and foreign visitors. […]
Ichiryusai YOSHITOYO (1830-1866)
Click here to view image full size. A dramatic triptych showing the samurai Nitta no Shiro Tadatsune, having crawled into a cave on Mt. Fuji, brandishing a firebrand that reveals the Deity of Mt. Fuji (Shinto); or the Goddess Kannon (Buddhist) surrounded by a dragon. Tadatsune is surrounded by bats. Yoshitoyo was a pupil of […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. The complete 6-sheet Kanagawa: Noge Yokohama, an evening scene showing an aerial view of Yokohama with an American ship entering the port on the far left. The two triptychs were published separately: the left 2/1861 and 6/1861 on the right but […]
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. […]
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1793)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Otani Hiroji III as a samurai, one sword drawn and facing an adversary. Shunsho was the founder of the Katsukawa school and had many pupils (including Hokusai [Shunro]). He was a prolific designer of hosoban actor prints and produced some of the finest designs in this […]
Kishi GANTAI (1782-1865)
Click here to view image full size. An extremely large painting, 55.5 x 32 in; 141 x 81.3 cms, sumi and light colour on silk. Shows a pair of Sika deer, their summer coats spotted and white. Gantai was the son and pupil of Ganku, and together with his brother, Renzan, carried on the Kishi […]
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 […]
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 […]