Ikeno TAIGA (1723–1776)



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An important shunga book Daito keigo. One volume complete with preface and nine double page illustrations. This actual copy is discussed by Jack Hillier, The Art of the Japanese Book, Sothebys, 1987, volume two, pages 908-909, and illustrations ( from this copy ) nos 606 and 607. The images are thought to be based on Ikeno Taiga’s original paintings. Wonderful broad, almost abstract images using what Jack Hillier called a “dragged brush line.” This actual copy offered here was the earliest that Hillier had traced ( dated 1814 ). Ex Biedermann collection. It was reissued in 1867 with text by Shibata Roshu.

Original covers. Some minor marks, but surprisingly good condition. A sumi drawing inside front cover of a Dutchman with a fish. Biedermann seal.

Status: Sold




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    Sakai HOITSU (1761-1828)



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    One volume complete of Oson gafu, “The Drawing Book of Oson.” ( This being one of the artist’s names taken from the village Uguisu-mura where he lived in retirement. ) Original yellow covers with karazuri decoration. Dated Hinoe ne ( 1816 ) but an early and very careful reprint of this famous book. Published by Owari Toheki do.

    A very nice clean copy with original covers and title slip. In chitsu.

    Status: Sold




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      Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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      Two volumes complete: Toto shokei ichiran ( alternative title: Toto meisho ichiran ), “Fine Views of the Eastern Capital at a Glance.” The first of three important works showing the sights of Edo in colour prints. ( See this website for examples of the other two. ) Published Kansai 12 ( 1800 ) by Suwaraya Mohei, Suwaraya Ihachi and Tsutaya Jusaburo, Edo.

      Original hand-painted blue-green covers with original title slips. One or two minor marks, otherwise a nice example with perfect colour. In chitsu.

      Status: Sold




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        Ki BAITEI (1774-1810)



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        One volume complete: Kyuro gafu, “Kyuro’s Picture Album.” ( Kyuro was one of the art-names of Baitei, a Nanga painter in the Buson manner. ) The first edition of this book is in two volumes with haiku, c 1795. However, there is some confusion on the other issues: Mitchell, Biobibliography Of Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo Illustrated Books, pages 402-4, lists three examples: “A” ( 2 vol. 1795 ); “B” ( 2 vol. 1799 ), and “C” ( 1 vol. 1797 ). The example offered here does not tally with either of these having preface of 2 pp. with 64 single-page illustrations plus 2 pp. afterward and colophon dated Kansai 11 ( 1799 ) published by Koto Shorin. There are also examples with 62 pp. of illustrations and some lacking forward and or afterward and colophon. A later edition of 1824 is also known. A famous book with impressive, bold and austere images.

        Lacking original covers and title slip and with some offsetting, but generally a nice copy. Ex Bing collection. In chitsu.

        Status: Sold




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          Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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          One volume complete: Shuga ichiran, “Excellent Paintings at a Glance.” One of Hokusai’s most undervalued books but at the same time one of his best documented. ( See Hokusa’s Shuga Ichiran, An annotated description of Hokusai’s Shuga Ichiran by C. Ouwehand, Heinz Kaempfer Fund, 1991. Based on the copy in the National Museum of Ethnology, Leiden. ) Two versions are known: A colour printed edition ( as here, and Leiden ) and a monochrome example with title Denshin gakyo. The book is unusual ( and must have been expensive ) as it is partly printed in gold with mica added. There were a number of later reprints of this book. Published by Hishiya Kyubei, Nagoya and five others, c 1818.

          Original dark brown burnished covers. Original title slip ( faded ). Front cover nibbled at edge affecting edge of first two sheets of preface. Other minor marks and soil, but generally a nice copy.

          Status: Sold




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            Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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            One volume complete: Denshin kaishu-ippitsu gafu, “Drawing Manual – Album of Drawing with one Stroke of the Brush.” Similar to the ryakuga style which was pioneered by Masayoshi. One of the best known and most influential of Hokusai’s books and one which was reprinted and copied many times. Published 1823 by Eirakuya Toshiro, Nagoya.

            Original burnished orange covers. Original title slip. A nice early example: This is a difficult book to find without the fugitive pigments being completely washed out. This example has been in the collection of four collectors: Jaeger; Kari and the other two unread ( seals inside front cover ).

            Status: Sold




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              Yashima GAKUTEI (Fl. c 1786-1868)



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              One volume complete: Ichiro gafu, “Ichiro’s [ Gakutei’s ] Picture album.” The prints were first issued in a private two volume publication with kyoka poems ( c 1820 ). Published by Gasendo, Edo, 1823.

              Original dark brown covers with burnished pattern. Original blue title slip. A nice early copy. This popular book was reprinted many times.

              Status: Sold




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                Oishi MATORA (1794-1833)



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                Two large volumes complete: Soga kokufu, “Sketches of National Customs.” A rare work with wonderful images which Vignier, in Odin, described as “Tirage d’une delicatessen remarquable.” Published by Yoshinoye Nimbei, Kyoto; Tsuruya Kiemon, Edo; Kawachiya Kihei and Kawachiya Kichibei, Osaka, 1828.

                Original creped and printed covers with original title slips. Two backed wormholes running through two volumes which do not detract from the lovely compositions, otherwise very good.

                Status: Sold




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                  Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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                  Three volumes complete: Kyoka yama-mata-yama, “Kyoka: Range Upon Range of Mountains.” The fanciful title is based on the fact that the views illustrated are located around Yama-no-te, the higher ground situated in the north and north-western part of Edo. The pictures accompanied by kyoka poems. This is one of Hokusai’s most admired works. Published 1804 by Tsutaya Jusaburo.

                  Original dark green embossed covers. Original title slips. A very nice clean copy of this famous book. Some slight smudging of pigments and turning of colour on one or two sheets, but otherwise extremely well retained colour, the elusive blue and purple intact.

                  Status: Sold




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                    Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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                    A fine example of the first edition, the “Falcon’s Feather”, of volume one of the Fugaku hyakkei, the “Hundred Views of Mount Fuji.” ( So-called because the title slip is printed in blue with a decorative design of a falcon’s feather – missing on later editions. ) The first volume was published in 3/1834 by the Edo firm of Nishimura Sukezo together with the Nagoya publisher Eirakuya Toshiro and the Edo firms of Kadomaruya Jinsuke and Nishimuraya Yohachi using Hokusai’s favourite engraver, Egawa, amongst others. One of the great and most influential illustrated books. Not just with other Japanese artists, but on European artists of the last century. Full of exquisite compositions, best appreciated in the first or early editions. Due to their popularity, the volumes were reprinted many times. It is also a target for cutting up and separately mounting the pages. Colophon signed: “the old man mad about drawing, formerly Hokusai Iitsu aged 75.”

                    Original covers and title slip. One small wormhole on a few pages. Otherwise extremely good condition with only minimal soil.

                    Status: Sold




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                      Takehara SHUNCHOSAI (Fl. c 1772-1801)



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                      An original wood block for printing four pages for one of his books of famous places published in the 1780s and 1790s. Shows Yamashira Village. Shunchosai, of Osaka, was one of the leading topographical illustrators. Original pictorial blocks as opposed to pure calligraphy are rare. Interestingly, some of the descriptive text has been corrected with new plugs dropped in showing that during the lifetime of the blocks facts needed changing. Sold “as is” with damage, signs of old woodworm, etc. Size: 33.25 x 9 in.; 84.5 x 22.75 cms. A fine addition to a collection of illustrated books.

                      Status: Sold




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                        Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)



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                        One volume complete: Shinkoku hyakushoden, “New Edition of the Lives of a Hundred Generals.” N.d. ( but 1848 ). Five double pages of colour illustrations and one hundred b.&w. illustrations of generals. Three page preface signed Kuniyoshi ga. The Pulverer copy ( illustrated, no.253, p.222, Heroes & Ghosts, Hotei Publishing, 1998 ) appears to be a later edition lacking the signature and with only 49 b.&w. illustrations of heroes. Rare.

                        Original covers and title slip in near perfect condition.

                        Status: Sold




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                          Aoigaoka HOKKEI (1780-1850)



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                          One volume, black & white, Kyoka suikoden shu, “Picture Book of the Water Margins with Kyoka Poems”. Presumably this is based on the 1829 Kyoka suikoden gazo shu . There were a number of variant editions after it.

                          Original covers and title slip. Slight wormage, otherwise good condition. Although pages start at 6 ( and go to 23 ) there is no indication of any pages being removed.

                          Status: Sold




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                            Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)



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                            3 volume complete : Ehon yachiyogusa, “The Plant of Eight Thousand Ages”. Sumi images illustrating old poems with the Sumida River as a central theme. Published Meiwa 5, 1768 by Yamazaki Kinbei.

                            Original covers but later title slips. One page with sumi marks, otherwise good impressions and condition.

                            Status: Sold




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                              Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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                              Volume 1 only of Ehon Sumidagawa ryogan ichiran, “Panoramic Views Along the Bank of the Sumida River”. Published by Senkakudo c1805/6. Minor marks and wormage, otherwise a fine copy, with perfect colour, of the first edition. Original covers and title slip.

                              Status: Sold




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                                Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)



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                                Ehon kukuri-zome, “Tie-Dyed Work”. Two volumes complete. Original covers and one title slip. Published by Izumiya Ichibei, 1794. Shows bijin at famous spots around Edo. Some backed wormage on vol. 2 and some damage to covers, but otherwise good condition with exceptional, pristine colour. Extremely rare. Ex Haviland and Duret collections.

                                Status: Sold




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                                  Kitao MASAYOSHI (1764-1824)



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                                  Choju Ryakugashiki, “Simplified Forms of Drawing Birds and Animals”. Published by Suharaya Ichibei, Kwansei 9 ( 1797 ). One volume complete. First edition. Original covers and title slip. Beautiful condition with perfect colour: The best copy of one of these “simplified” books of Masayoshi’s I have seen. Ex collection Dr E.F.

                                  Status: Sold




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                                    Kitao SHIGEMASA (1739-1820) and Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)



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                                    Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami, Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Green Houses, published by Tsutaya Juzaburo, Anei 5, 1776. Complete in three volumes divided into Spring and Summer in volume 1 and Autumn and Winter in volume 2. Considered to be one of the great “choice” colour printed books. Very rare complete.

                                    Lacking title slips. Light sumi affecting 2,5 designs. Minor fading and marks and repaired wormage but generally a very good example of this fine book.

                                    Status: Sold




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                                      Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)



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                                      Other examples are known with alternative titles which appear to be slightly later. The sequence of the illustrations varies from copy to copy. Of the utmost rarity there appearing to be around thirteen extant copies and considered to be one of the great Japanese illustrated books. Original covers with one original title slip. Covers and title as per B.M. copy.

                                      Covers slightly worn with slight wormage to one cover. Contents very clean with minimal soil, marks, etc. Lacks one of the two identical colophons, but a fine example of this great rarity.

                                      Status: Sold




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                                        Utagawa TOYOHIRO (1773-1828)



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                                        Two volumes complete of the excessively rare book: Ehon Azuma Warawa, “Picture Book: Children of the East”. Shows popular life in Edo during the 12 months and every image is a success. Published by Izumiya Ichibei, Bunkwa 1, 1804. There appear to be only a few complete copies extant of this book and they are in bad condition., Original covers and title slips., Ex Bing collection.

                                        Covers worn. Slight wormage and some thumbing but very fine colour and impression.

                                        Status: Sold




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                                          Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)



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                                          Two volumes complete Yakusha sangaikyo, “Amusements of Actors on the Third Floor” (iez the dressing-rooms or green rooms). Published Kansei 13 (1801) by Nishimiya Shinroku and Yorozuya Tajiemon, Edo. An extremely rare and important work showing actors engaged in various private pursuits and not on stage, as is normal. Original covers and title slips. Ex Duret and Gillot collections.

                                          Slight turning of some colours on vol two and some slight thumbing on bottom corners of some sheets, but overall very good and an essential item for any serious collection.

                                          Status: Sold




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                                            Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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                                            Two volumes complete Toto shokei ichiran “A View of the Famous Sights of the Eastern Capital”. Dated Kansei 12 (1800) and published by Tsutaya Jusaburo, Suwaraya Mohei and Suwaraya Ihachi, all of Edo. Original covers, hand-painted with Iris flowers, and title slips. The first edition (probably of 200 copies) was published solely by Tsutaya Jusaburo in 1800 with title Toto meisho ichiran. The example offered here was published shortly afterwards (probably also in 1800). There were also later reprints in 1815 and 1840. One of Hokusai’s best known books and featuring his best work of this period. Difficult to find in an early edition. Ex Kegan Paul Gallery.

                                            Good condition: title slips damaged and some thumbing. A little movement of the blue pigment due to dampness, but overall a nice example of this important work. Signed on colophon Hokusai Tatsumasa.

                                            Status: Sold




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                                              Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)



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                                              (Seiro Ehon) Nenju Gyoji, Yoshiwara Events or “Annals of the Green Houses”. One of Utamaro’s major books showing the annual events in the only government licensed brothel district in the city of Edo (Tokyo). Two volumes complete published Spring 1804 by Kazusaya Chusuke juo. Text by Jippensha Ikku. Original covers and title slips. Very fine copy: Fine impressions with very fine, completely unfaded colours. Slight stain affecting first few pages of text and a small wormhole within binding affecting the first few illustrations.

                                              Covers in very good condition, some rubbing of title slips. Ex collections Theodore Duret (seals on last page of each vol.) and Tadamasa Hayashi (large square seals on first page of each vol.). Catalogue entry (lot 35) pasted onto inside of front cover: “Tres bel exemmplaire en parfait etat”. Also labels identifying each scene in French lightly attached in margin of each design. Certainly one of the finest copies extant.

                                              Status: Sold




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                                                Kitagawa UTAMARO (1753-1806)



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                                                3 vols. complete Ehon warai jogo, “The Laughing Drinker.” Published c.1803. This – probably Utamaro’s last erotic book – was issued in colour and, as here, in monochrome. According to Hayashi the two were published simultaneously, but with the black and white edition from separate blocks and an additional black block for the hair. Later recut editions are known.

                                                Fine impressions. Minimal soil. Slight margin wormage at end of first volume and a little wormage at beginning of last volume. Nice original hand painted covers and original title slips. In chitsu case. A very nice copy of this well known book.

                                                Status: Sold




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                                                  Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) ET AL



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                                                  Four volumes ( vols 5, 6, 8, 10 ) Ehon miyage, “Souvenirs from Edo.” The series of ten volumes was published between 1850 ( vol 1 ) to 1867 ( vol 10 ). Originally intended to be four volumes, the other books were gradually added. Volume 8 has a preface stating that Hiroshige had passed away but that he had left enough drawings to continue the series. Volume 10 was designed by Hiroshige II. Very clean good impressions with original covers and title slips. One hole on volume 6, otherwise very good condition. Each book also has the original paper slip-cases sewn on ( rare ). These have saved the covers and especially the title slips which are almost mint. Publisher Kinkodo, Kikuya Kozaburo, 1850 – 67.

                                                  Status: Sold




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                                                    Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)



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                                                    One volume Shuzo suiko meimei den, Shohen, “ Portraits of the Characters in the Suikoden, First Series.” Original embossed orange covers with yellow title slip. Inside front cover title and signature within a western-style surround. Preface 6 pp. including two double-page colour illustrations, last sheet dated Keio 3 ( 1867 ). And 18 numbered pages with 36 illustrations of Suikoden warriors on yellow grounds. Inside back cover advertisements. Published by Odawaraya Yashichi, Edo. In extremely good condition. Superb engraving ( by Egawa Ichigoro ). Toda gives a third volume but did not know of a second. Rare.

                                                    Status: Sold




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                                                      Onishi CHINNEN (1792-1851)



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                                                      One volume complete: Sonan gafu, “A Book of Drawings by Sonan.” One of the best known Shijo books. Much admired by Jack Hillier who used the double page illustration of Fuji and pines for the covers to his 2 vol. book: The Art of the Japanese Book. Original crimped yellow covers with green medallion design. Original title slip. Preface 6 pp. dated Tempo 3 ( 1832 ); 1 p. table of contents followed by 25 double-page colour illustrations. Last page dated Tempo 3 ( 1832 ), signed Chinnen with seal Onishi Chinnen. Inside back cover: colophon, dated Tempo 5 ( 1834 ). Publishers Kobayashi Shimbei and Osakaya Gembei, Edo. Provenance: Ex collections H.M.Kaempfer and Theodore Duret ( seals on last page ). Covers somewhat worn and some slight thumbing, marks and off-setting throughout. Generally good condition.

                                                      Status: Sold




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                                                        Kitao SEKKOSAI ( TOKINOBU ) ( Active 1745-1780 )



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                                                        Three volumes complete Saishiki gasen,”A Selection of Coloured Drawings.” Of the utmost rarity and one of the technically most brilliant books using kappazuri ( stencil printing ), fuki-bokashi ( blown pictures whereby atomised pigments were sprayed onto the paper ), gold and silver. Volume 1, 14 pages, a 2 page preface dated Meiwa hinoto ( 1767 ), signed Sekkosai, 12 un-numbered sheets, a frontispiece, 22 pages of coloured illustrations , four of which cover double-pages. Volume 2, 12 un-numbered sheets, a frontispiece and 23 pages of coloured illustrations, 2 of which cover double-pages. Volume 3, 13 un-numbered sheets, a frontispiece and 23 pages of coloured illustrations, 11 of which cover double-pages. A final single page, a colophon on the back of the last sheet attached to cover giving the date Meiwa hinoto I toshi kugatsu ( 1767 ). Publishers Shibukawa Daizo of Osaka, Konan Shiroemon of Kyoto and Subaru Heisuke of Edo. Original grey-blue covers and title slips ( some damage ).Minor marks and thumbing but generally a fine example of this extremely rare book. Ex collections Hubert ( Paris, 1928, no. 36 ); Hachette ( 1954, no. 333 ) and Huguette Beres ( Paris, 27/11/2002, lot 204 ).

                                                        Status: Sold




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