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Iyo Province, Saijo. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. A large furled sail in the foreground with Saiju village on the water’s edge. Beyond is Mt. Ishizuchi.

Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Kozuke, Harunasan setchu, “Kozuke [Province], Mount Haruna Under Snow.” From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. A red bridge spans a gorge with precipitous cliffs and a fast flowing river. Fantastic crags point upwards into the sky. In the distance is Mount Haruna – a sleeping volcano.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Oki Province, Takuhi Shrine. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. The prows of two boats near the island of Nishinoshima. A torii seen at the top of the print indicates the Takuhi Shrine, one of the most important shrines dedicated to the gods of the sea.

Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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A snow scene: Fukagawa kiba, “Fukagawa Timber Yards.” The yards date back and are the result of the Meireki fire of 1657. Large amounts of wood was required for expanding Edo and the wood yards were moved to this area of swampland east of the Sumida River. From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1856). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death, and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

Status: Available

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Izumo, taisha Hotohoto no zu, “Izuma [Province], Hotohoto Festival at Izumo Shrine.” Shows pilgrims to the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan. A heavy mist scene with the torii gate seen to the right. Every year from the 11th to the 17th day of the 10th lunar month (usually November) all Shinto’s deities from around Japan supposedly assembled here. It is also the shrine to visit in the hope of finding a partner. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing and very small wormhole at extreme edge of margin, top left, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Asakusa Kinryuzan, “The Kinryuzan Temple at Asakusa” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1856). A snow scene showing the oldest Buddhist temple in the city, the Sensoji or Asakusa Kannon, built on the low hill of Kinryuzan. Shows the Kaminarimon gate with the huge lantern with one character of the name shinbashi (a donor’s organisation).

Very good early impression and colour. Before the square plug becomes evident on the bottom left. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Omi, Biwako Ishiyamadera, “Ishiyama Temple and Lake Biwa in Omi [Province].”From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. Moonlight on Lake Biwa is one of the iconic Eight Views of Omi.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Hoki, ono Daisen enbo, “Hoki [Province], Distant View of Mount Daisen.” Shows rice-planting in the rain, with the volcanic mountain in the background. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

Very fine impression and colour. The rain printed with gofun. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Mimasaka, Yamabushidani, “Mimasaka [Province], Yamabushi Valley.” Travellers caught in heavy wind and rain in the valley. Hiroshige II also produced an excellent version of this design. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by b Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing and very small wormhole at extreme edge of margin, top left, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Hida, kago-watashi, “Basket Ropeway in Hida [Province]” from a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. Originating in China, Japan and northern India, travellers could cross deep ravines by suspending themselves in a harness which evolved into a basket.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Kameido Tenmangu keidai no yuki, “The Compound of the Tenman Shrine at Kameido in Snow.” From a set of twenty-one prints Toto meisho, “Famous Views in the Eastern Capital” published by Sanoya Kihei, c 1834-5. The series was extended to fifty-five in c 1839-42. One of the most famous places in Edo. Known for its pergola, two drum bridges, koi ponds and the wisteria which flowered in the fifth month. The main shrine is dedicated to the memory of Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin), the father of Japanese learning and built in 1662. The design comes in various states: Late editions have a black sky and the red publisher’s seal on right margin is replaced with an abbreviated Sanoki seal in black. Even later editions show a slipping plug becoming evident on the edge of the water, centre left.

Fine impression and colour. Probably the earliest printing. Slight trimming on right margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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A snow scene: Yushima Tenjin sakaue chobo, “Hilltop View, Yushima Tenjin Shrine.” The shrine is dedicated to scholars and is near Ueno Park. From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1856). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death, and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

Status: Available

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The lumberyard, Fukugawa, from the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1856). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi. Shows snow falling on the timber yards lining a river. An umbrella in the foreground is inscribed Uo, “Fish” – a reference to the publisher Uoya Eikichi. A large supply of timber was needed for the world’s largest wooden city. However, in 1641 a fire destroyed not only houses but the lumber which was then stored in a central area forcing the government to move the yards to Fukugawa.

Very good, early impression. Very good colour. Trimmed close at bottom. Otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Oi, a suburb of present day Ena City, is in the southern foothills of the central mountain range now known as the Japan Alps. Shows a group of travellers heavily protected against the snow and cold. From Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). One of Hiroshige’s most famous designs.

Very good impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Ishiyakushi from an aiban set Tokaido gojusantsugi no uchi, commonly called the Gyosho Tokaido because of the cursive script on title. Shows travellers entering and leaving the village in heavy snow. Published by Ezakiya Kichibei/Yamadaya, c. 1841-2. There are variant states: later editions lack the gradation on the horizon. The first state may have a Hiroshige seal after the signature.

Very good impression and colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available