/category/highlights/
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size.
The geisha Hinaogi of the Daikokuya preparing to play the koto. She is adjusting the tsume (plectra) on her fingers that were used to pluck the strings. The title is enigmatic: It reads Ka getsu kai, “Harbinger of Moon and Flower” and if the character for “moon” is omitted it reads “oiran” (the highest ranking courtesan). Published by Enomotoya Kichibei, c. early 1830s. There is in fact a later copy of this print by Kunisada.
Fine impression. Excellent colour. Very good condition. Signed Eizan hitsu.
Status: Available
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size.
Hokusai’s interpretation of a poem by Onakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason (921-991). From an unfinished set: Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki, “Pictures of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by the Nurse.” The poems are from an anthology Hyakunin isshu, “One Hundred People, One Poem Each” compiled by the poet Fujiwara no Teika (1162-1241). The poet speaks of his love as being like the fire kept by the guards at the gate to the Imperial Palace: It burns hot only at night. There is actually some doubt that the poem can be attributed to Yoshinobu. Shows a group of off-duty Imperial carriage guards relaxing around the smoking embers of a fire. The poet with his servant is seen sitting on the distant hill. Published by Eijudo, 1835-36. A considerable number of original drawings exist for the set that were not turned into prints and are in various museums and private collections.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Saki no Hokusai Manji.
Status: Available
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Suruga, Miho no Matsubara, “Pine Beach of Miho in Suruga [Province]” from Fuji sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of Fuji” published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. A striking design with the yellow sky and one of the best prints from the set. The Miho peninsula has a seven-kilometre seashore lined with pine trees.
Fine early impression and colour with the red signature and title labels double-printed to give a more saturated colour. Fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size.
2 vols. complete: Kanjaku tsuizen hanashidori, “The Liberated Birds: A Memorial Book for Kanjaku.” A memorial book for the actor Nakamura Utaemon who died in 1852. He had the literary name of Kanjaku, meaning ”playing with sparrows” and the covers and many illustrations allude to this custom of releasing birds at funerals. Vol. 1: 1st preface , 3pp. giving the biography of Utaemon IV; poem 1p. 3 sheets: calligraphy (in ishizuri), 1p.; illustrations in colour, 5pp. signed on first page Toyokuni (III). Sheets 1-8: 2nd preface, 5pp., remaining pp. text, poems and colour illustrations. Sheets 1-75 with 15 single-page and 62 double-page illustrations in sumi and light colour. Inside back cover: colophon dated Kaei 5 (1852). Vol. 2: 110 sheets of text, poems, and illustrations. 38 single-page and 50 double-page illustrations (many in colour and includes a double-page illustration by Kuniyoshi). Last page, colophon, dated Kaei 5 (1852). Original covers with clouds and sparrows. Some soil and minor damage. One title slip missing and other damaged. Contents extremely good.
Status: Available
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 is in the collection of the Tokyo National Museum depicting Yujyo risshi-zu and another four paintings of beauties in the four seasons is in the collection of the Ota Memorial Museum of Art, Tokyo. Shows a standing courtesan beside a vase containing peonies and cherry blossom. On her sumptuous costume are the black wheels of a hanaguruma, “flower cart.” These vehicles carried baskets with often elaborate arrangements of flowers. It seems more than coincidence that the vase is placed where the basket would have been on the cart.
Painted c 1820. Signed Fujimaro with seal Yozan. Newly remounted and in fine condition with new box and futo-maki (thick wooden roll to preserve the painting from damage).
Status: Available
Click here to view image full size.
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size.
A large original painting, full colour on silk, image size 48 x 21.75 in; 122 x 55.25 cms. A draughtsman of great dexterity with a wild, often bizzare , imagination. Loved sake, sometimes painting under its influence. At an early stage studied under Kuniyoshi, then Maemura Towa and later Kano Chinshin before becoming an independent painter at 27. Adept at highly finshed paintings but also produced a large corpus of spontaneous paintings. Shows a standing courtesan with her kamuro. An homage to Hokusai whom he obviously admired.
Highly finished in places but also incorporating quirky elements of Hokusai’s style. Signed Hokusai hitsu-i (“Imitating Hokusai’s brush”) Shojo Kyosai. In very good condition with old double box with an untranslatable annotation on inside of lid comparing him to Hokusai. An important new discovery.
Status: Available
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size.
A fine original Kyosai painting, full colour on silk, 47.5 x 16.5 in; 121 x 42 cms. Shows Emma, the King of Hell, walking with and holding an umbrella above a courtesan while a ghoulish oni looks on wearing a costume of gunnera leaves. Emma-O is the Japanese Buddhist version of Yama, the Hindu god of death. It was he who assigned people after death to one of the states of reincarnation. He is shown with the headdress, robes and holding the staff of a Chinese judge. The preparatory drawing for this painting is illustrated in Kawanabe Kyosai, In Honour of 100TH Anniversary of His Death, published by Ukiyoe Ota Kinen Bijutsuken, 1989, no. 61, p. 60. Kyosai was a draughtsman of great dexterity with a wild, often bizarre, imagination. Loved sake, sometimes painting under its influence. At an early stage studied under Kuniyoshi, then Maemura Towa and later Kano Chinshin before becoming an independent painter at 27. Adept at highly finished paintings but also produced a large corpus of spontaneous paintings.
In very good condition. Signed Seisai Kyosai with Kyosai seal.
Status: Available
Click here to view image full size.
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
Click here to view image full size.
Watanabe no Tsuna on horseback in the rain. One of the finest designs from Wakan hyaku monogatari. Published by Daikin, 1865/2.
Fine impression and colour. Minor wormage otherwise very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Available
Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)
Click here to view image full size.
A scene taken from the Chinese 14th century heroic novel San guo zhi yanyi, “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” attributed to Luo Guanzhong. Shows in the centre Liu Bei (Jap. Ryubei), the founder of the Kingdom of Shu, and the two warriors, Guan Yu (Kan U) on the right and Zhang Fei (Cho Hi) on the left. The three swore pledges of brotherhood in a peach orchard. Toen gikei no zu, “Picture of the Oath in the Peach Orchard. “ Published by Tsutaya Juzaburo with early signature c 1782-3. Rare.
Fine impression. Very good colour: yellow ground. Slight crease down right edge and very small wormage near top right, otherwise very good condition. Signed Utamaro ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa YOSHITORA (1836-1887)
Click here to view image full size.
A triptych showing the warrior Inukai Genpachi (the famous character from the Hakkenden) confronting a cat monster which has emanated from a horse on Mount Koshin. Other cat monsters stare in amazement. Published by Kojimaya Jubei, 1850.
Very fine impression. Fine colour. Imperceptible small binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichimosai Yoshitora ga.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size.
Shows Sagami Jiro Taira no Masakado on horseback attacking an opponent and having cut his sword in two. From a set Yoshitoshi musha burui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” Published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro, 1883.
Very fine impression: This is the first edition with three-colour cartouche and small red seals in left margin. There are late editions of this set. It was republished by Tsunajima Kamekichi in 1886. Fine colour. Slight soil bottom edge, otherwise very good condition. Signed Taiso Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size.
A triptych showing Shoguntaro Taira Yoshikado (centre), his sister Takiyasha-hime (left), and Yoshikado’s retainer, Iga Jutaro, watching magic toads wrestling. Huge toads loom above them. Shogun Taro Yoshikado mikata wo atsumen ga tame etc. Takiyasha-hime was known for her toad magic which she had gained from a scroll containing their secrets given to her by her brother. Published by Tsuru-ya Kiyemon, 1842-3. Robinson T.89.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai and Chooro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Available
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size.
A triptych showing an exploding land-mine throwing bodies and horses into the ether. Taiheiki Masakiyo nansen no zu, “Masakiyo’s Difficult Battle from the Taiheiki.” Figures identified in the print are the 14th century warriors Sato Shukei no Kami Masakiyo and Shimura Masazo Katsutoyo, but by way of avoiding censorship, it is actually showing Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611) and Kimura Matazo Shigekatsu. It may also be that the design alludes to the rogue samurai in Choshu Province during the summer of 1866. Published by Yamashiroya Jinbei, 1866. One of Yoshitoshi’s great designs. In fact, this is a reworking of a similar composition in a book early in his career, Ehon jitsugokyo dojikyo yoshu of 1853.
Fine impression and colour. Lovely oxidation of the orange pigment. Fine condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Available
Katsukawa SHUNJO (?-1787)
Click here to view image full size.
An hosoban showing the actor Onoe Matsusuke I in a Shibaraku role holding a lantern. (Possibly as Sakata no Kintoki). Shunjo was a pupil of Katsukawa Shunsho. Published c 1780.
Fine impression. Very fine colour and condition. Signed Shunjo ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size.
The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Arajishi Otokonosuke from a set Mitate sanjurokkasen no uchi, “An Imaginary Thirty-six Poets.” A famous early compilation; in this case the image is inspired by a poem of Mibu no Tadamine. Otokonosuke is usually depicted about to strike his adversary Nikki Danjo -who has turned into a rat – with an iron fan (leaving a red mark on the rat’s/Danjo’s head). Published by Iseya Kanekichi, 1852.
Very fine early impression. Fine colour. Very small binding holes, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size.
A triptych of a probably imaginary performance showing the actor Ichimura Uzaemon XII as Hachiman Taro Yoshiie (far left) with an actor dressed as a lion who shines a strong beam from a lantern across the other two sheets; the centre one showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro III as Abe Sadato with an actor dressed as a lion, and the right sheet showing the actor Bando Shuka I as Sadato’s wife Sodehagi with an actor dressed as an elephant. Published by Miyakozawa 1847-52.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hanmoto no oujyu Toyokuni ga, “By the request of the publisher, painted by Toyokuni.”
Status: Available
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
Click here to view image full size.
Nikko Shimofuri no taki, “Shimofuri Waterfall in Nikko” from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859-1861 (this being 1859).
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
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 the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu, who invited thirty-three fishermen to live there in 1613 in order to provide fish for the rapidly expanding city of Edo. The fishermen came from Tsukudama near Osaka and it was they who became the proprietors of what would become the Tsukiji fish market. It must have been popular during the late Edo period as a place to visit and view the boats from teahouses on the shore because there are many prints depicting the area, especially under a full moon.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. n.
Status: Available
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Tokaido hidari Fuji, “Fuji Seen from the left on the Tokaido [Road]” from Fuji sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of Fuji” published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. Shows travellers on the Tokaido Road at Oiso with workers in rice paddies beyond.
Fine early impression and colour with the red signature and title labels double-printed to give a more saturated colour. Bottom margin trimmed close, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
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 basket of mushrooms. The face of the blue oni takes on the appearance of Hyottoko, the male pairing of Otafuku. Known as the Goddess of Mirth, Otafuku is often shown with the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. There are various theories as to her origins and her face, in the form of a mask, has become ubiquitous. Kyosai was a draughtsman of great dexterity with a wild, often bizarre, imagination. Loved sake, sometimes painting under its influence. At an early stage studied under Kuniyoshi, then Maemura Towa and later Kano Chinshin before becoming an independent painter at 27. Adept at highly finished paintings but also produced a large corpus of spontaneous paintings.
In very good condition. Provenance: The inside of the lid on the box is signed and sealed by Mano Gyotei (Kyotei) who was Kyosai’s pupil and guarantees the painting. Sealed Kyosai.
Status: Available
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting by Hokkei, full colour on silk, 41.5 x 19.25 in; 105.5 x 49 cms. Hokkei was one of the earliest and best pupils of Hokusai. Probably best known for his large output of surimono, but also produced illustrated books and paintings. Shows a beauty fulling cloth beside the Kinuta River, Settsu Province. She gazes at the full moon and a flight of geese. On each side of the stream is Japanese bush clover, associated in Japan with autumnal melancholy and unrequited love.
Signed Hokkei ga with Hokkei seal.
Status: Available
Click here to view image full size.
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size.
A cho-oban (20 x 6.75 inches) print showing beauties fishing. The top figure has caught a crayfish. Each design interprets a haiku poem in red, top right. A set of 6 prints published by Matsui Eikichi, 1893. Rare.
Fine impression and colour. Slight creasing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Toyohara Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Available
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size.
An aiban print showing the courtesan Segawa of the Matsubaya drinking ayamezake (a sake soaked with iris root) from a set Seiro gosekku, “Beauties of the Yoshiwara Compared to the Five Festivals.” In this case the Boys’ Festival held on the 5th May. Published by Iseya Soemon, c 1810.
Fine impression, very good colour and condition. Signed Kikugawa Eizan fude.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size.
An untitled triptych showing two beauties and a maidservant lighting their way with a lantern and carrying a shamisen box. The beam of light from the lantern illuminates the foreground figures and a leaping dog but leaves the background figures in silhouette. Published by Mikawaya Seimon, c. mid 1820s. A fine design.
Fine impression and colour. Imperceptible fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Horikiri no hana shobu, “Iris Garden at Horikiri” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi, 1856-58 (this being 1857). Horikiri village on the Arakawa River, north of Edo, was famous for growing irises, chrysanthemums, morning glory and azaleas for the Edo market. One of the most popular prints from the set. Provenance: Purchased from me in 2008.
Fine early impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Reserved
Watanabe SEITEI (SHOTEI) (1851-1918)
Click here to view image full size.
A large original painting, full colour on silk. Image size 47.25 x 20 in; 120 x 51 cms. Shows Japanese water iris with water striders. Seitei is best known as a kachoga (“bird and flower”) artist. He was technically brilliant showing realistic detail in a Japanese style but with Western sensibilities absorbed while living in Paris and he was, in fact, the first Nihonga artist to reside in Europe. A winner of many prizes during his life. Also published Seitei kacho gafu, 1890-91; Kacho gafu, 1903; Seitei kacho, 1916.
Signed and sealed Shotei. Very good condition. (This painting makes an excellent pair with the following offering although the mount sizes are slightly different.)
Status: Available
Click here to view image full size.
Watanabe SEITEI (SHOTEI) (1851-1918)
Click here to view image full size.
A large original painting, full colour on silk. Image size 47.25 x 20 in; 120 x 51 cms. Shows Japanese water iris with a snail. Seitei is best known as a kachoga (“bird and flower”) artist. He was technically brilliant showing realistic detail in a Japanese style but with Western sensibilities absorbed while living in Paris and he was, in fact, the first Nihonga artist to reside in Europe. A winner of many prizes during his life. Also published Seitei kacho gafu, 1890-91; Kacho gafu, 1903; Seitei kacho, 1916.
Signed and sealed Shotei. Very good condition. (This painting makes an excellent pair with the above offering although the mount sizes are slightly different.)
Status: Available
Click here to view image full size.
Hosoda EISHI (1756-1829)
Click here to view image full size.
Two beauties examining tanzaku poetry cards from a set Ukiyo Genji hakkei, “Eight Views of Genji in the Floating World.” The designs stand alone but also form diptychs. This series compares scenes from the famous Tale of Genji novel written by the Lady Murasaki in the early 11th century with the Eight Views of Omi [Lake Biwa]. In the present case, Maboroshi rakugan (viz Katata rakugan, “Descending Geese at Katata”) is compared to chapter 41, Spirit Summoner, of the Tale of Genji where a poem composed by the Akashi Lady is in response to the grieving Genji’s poem after the nocturnal encounter with Murasaki which refers to the wild goose (aka Genji) having flown away. Published by Eijudo c 1797-99. Another impression is in the B.M., reg. no. 1931, 0427,0.8 and an impression is illustrated in Klaus J. Brandt, Hosoda Eishi, 1977, 119, no. 301. Provenance: Sold Sothebys, New York, 28/10/1980, lot 866.
Fine impression. Very good colour with yellow ground. Slight centre fold and very slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Eishi zu.
Status: Available
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 capital of Edo. This was a deliberately costly affair and secured their loyalty as they had to leave their families in Edo. In this design young women replace the daimyo’s retinue. Published by Kawaguchiya Uhei, 1811-14. Its rare to find 5 or 6-sheet prints complete.
Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kikugawa Eizan hitsu.
Status: Available
Kitao MASANOBU (1761-1816)
Click here to view image full size.
Shows a couple caught in a downpour, the man shielding his companion with an umbrella. They are on the shore of Lake Biwa, northeast of Kyoto. In the distance can be seen the famous ancient pine tree in the grounds of the Karasaki Shrine. An unsigned (few of Masanobu’s prints are signed or have publisher’s seals) chuban set Furyu Omi hakkei, “Fashionable Eight Views of Omi,” this being night rain at Karasaki. Wrote under the name Santo Kyoden. Was also a painter, and illustrator of his own novels while owning a tobacco accessory shop. Published c. 1783. Rare.
Fine impression and colour. Small backing paper at top two corners, otherwise fine condition.
Status: Available
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
Click here to view image full size.
An hosoban showing the actor Nakamura Utaemon I as a samurai in nagabakama and kamishimo ceremonial dress as worn during the Muromachi period (1336-1392). He holds a fan and a globe. Shunsho was the pre-eminent exponent of the hosoban format. Published c 1770.
Fine impression. Unusual blue ground found on a few Shunsho designs. Slight discolouration on verso showing through, otherwise good condition. Signed Shunsho ga with the jar-shaped (tsubo) seal.
Status: Available
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 I. Masanobu designed a number of prints showing this popular actor who started the fashion for the hisobi pattern on his costume which is now called the Ichimatsu moyo. Published by Masanobu c 1741. Rare.
Fine impression. Hand-applied colour: yellow, light red and light orange. Slight fading, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hogetsudo shomei Okumura Bunkaku Masanobu shohitsu, “Truly published by Hogetsudo and true brush by Okumura Masanobu” with seal Tanchosai.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size.
Chapter 32: Umegaye, “Plum brach” from an o-tanzaku set: Buyu nazorae Genji, “Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji.” Shows the Minamoto samurai Kajiwara Genda Kagesuye (1162-1200) fighting at Ikura-no-mori during the Genpai wars between the Taira and Minomoto clans. He has a plum branch stuck in his utsubo “quiver” in honour of his love Umegaye. The branch makes him an easy target for his enemies but he fights on regardless. Published by Ibaya Sensaburo, c 1843.
Very fine impression. Fine colour. Slightly trimmed at bottom, otherwise fine condition. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size.
Saito Toshimoto nyudo Ryuhon in armour struggling with a Chinese brigand underwater. From the set Taiheiki yeiyuden, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki.” A history of the wars of the loyalist Nitta and Kusunoki families against the Ashikaga war-lords during the second quarter of the 14th century. But in fact the subject of this set of fifty prints is the civil war of the late 16th century. Censorship restrictions imposed in the 1840s prevented publishers from illustrating historical subjects from the Tensho era 1573-92 onwards, so the publishers circumvented this by slightly altering the names of the historical figures. Published 1848-9 by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi. Robinson S62.31. One of the best designs in the set.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size.
A triptych from a set Bidan musha hakkei, “Eight Views of Warriors’ Fine Tales.” This design Togakushi no seiran, “Clearing Weather of the Togakushi Mountains.” Princess Sarashina, who is actually a female oni called Momji, “Maple Leaves,” having transformed herself, is seen screaming from behind a giant drum and raising a high wind scattering maple leaves against Taira no Koremori Ason who draws his sword to kill her. Published by Sanoya Tomigoro, 1868.
Extremely fine impression of the earliest state. Fine colour. Slight marks on first sheet, otherwise very good condition. Signed Gekko Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size.
Inuyama Dosetsu, one of the eight dog heroes, enveloped in a conflagration. The heroes represent a Confucian ideal or Buddhist regulation and meet various adversaries in the epic Nanso satomi hakkenden, “Biography of the Eight Dogs” written by Takizawa Bakin between 1814 and 1842. Dosetsu is gifted with magic fire and is seen here with pine sprigs wrapped in paper clenched between his teeth. The subject represents Warabi Station (seen top left) from a set Kisokaido rokujuku tsugi, “Sixty-nine Stations along the Kisokaido.” In fact, a pun on the word warabi which can also mean “straw fire.” The bales can be seen bottom right. Published by Izutsuya Shokichi 1852. The best design from the set.
ga.
Fine impression and colour. Lightly backed and very slight vertical fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size.
Shows Tobosaku (who stole the Peaches of Immortality), Miura Daisuke Yoshiaki (Lord of Kinugasa castle), and the son of Urashima Taro (who saved the sea turtle and was carried to the Dragon King’s Palace) drinking wine. From the set Ikkai zuihitsu, “Essays by Yoshitoshi.” (Ikkai was an early name of Yoshitoshi’s.) A set of thirteen prints published by Masadaya Heikichi 1872/3. A fine set.
Extremely fine impression and colour from the first edition. (No seals on the first edition.) Margins trimmed a little, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Available
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 (although only known as a key-block proof). Rare.
Superb impression. Very fine colour and condition. As the day it was printed. Signed Chooro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Available