Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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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, very early impression with the double-printing on the cloak of the figure on the bridge. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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    Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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    Nihonbashi no hakuu, “Light Rain on Nihon Bridge.” 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. Shows figures crossing Nihonbashi in rain, one figure carries an umbrella with the publisher’s name. Warehouses in the background and a distant view of Fuji. A beautiful print and difficult to find in early state: The title cartouche had a plug inserted beside the bottom three characters of the title. This damage seems to have occurred when the block was cut and over time the spigot gradually slipped out leaving an unprinted area (which is sometimes painted in). In the earliest impressions the plug is not visible, as here. Also, the publisher’s seal at the bottom right should be red, later editions having it in black.

    Fine, very early impression with a pale yellow sky. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

    Status: Sold

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      Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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      A procession at the Shiba Shinmei keidai, “Precincts [of the] Shiba Shinmei [Shrine].” The shrine with the distinctive chigi protruding roof beams can be seen on the right. A popular area with the Zozoji Temple, tea stalls and where the Shoga Matsuri Festival was held. 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.

      Fine, very early impression. The publisher’s seal at the bottom right should be red, later editions having it in black. Fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

      Status: Sold

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        Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE) (1777-1835)



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        Returning Geese at Miho: Kiyomizu Temple of Suruga Province with a Distant View of Yoshiwara from Meisho hakkei, “Eight Views of Famous Places.” A popular theme in Japanese art originating in China and the landscape of the Xiaoxiang region where the Xiao and Xiang rivers converge. Published c 1833-4 by Kinjudo.

         

        Fine impression, colour and condition. The pigment in the title cartouche intact, which is usually faded. Signed Toyokuni hitsu.

         

        Status: Sold

         

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          Ikeda EISEN (1790-1848)



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          Urawa Shuku Asamayama enbo, “Urawa Station, Distant View of Mount Asama” from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set was published by Hoeido and Kinjudo, 1834-1842. The first 23 (of 70) prints were designed by Eisen, the rest by Hiroshige. In the distance can be seen a smoking Mount Asama. Although there is regular volcanic activity, the last bad eruption was in 1783.

           

          Very good impression of the first edition with signature. (This was removed on later states.) Very good colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Eisen ga.

           

          Status: Sold

           

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            Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)




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            Fujikawa from the so-called “Upright Tokaido.” One of the two snow scenes from the set. Shows travelers coming and going at the edge of the village. Published by Tsutaya, Hare 7, 1855.

             

             

            Very good impression with wood-grain evident in the sky. Very good colour. Trimmed close, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

             

             

            Status: Sold

             

             

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              Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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              Iki Shisaku, “Shisaku in Iki [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 1856. A heavy snowfall over Iki island which lies to the northeast of the Kyushu coast in southern Japan.

               

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

               

              Status: Sold

               

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                Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                Kai, Saruhashi, “Kai [Province], Monkey Bridge” 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. The bridge spans the Katsura River and is an example of the hanebashi method of construction whereby cantilever beams are set in the opposing cliff faces. Called the Monkey Bridge because monkeys are originally supposed to have strung themselves across the gorge.

                 

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

                 

                Status: Sold

                 

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                  Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                  Mino, Yoro no taki, “Mino [Province], Yoro Waterfall” 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. The 32 metre fall is 4 metres wide and is located in Yoro Park, near Nagoya.

                  Very fine impression and colour with blind-printing on the fall. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                  Status: Sold

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                    Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                    Awa, Naruto no fuha, Naruto Whirlpools, Awa [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 1855. The finest print from the set and one of Hiroshige’s most important designs. The phenomenon is caused by the tides that move large amounts of water through the Naruto Strait into and out of the Inland Sea.

                     

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

                     

                    Status: Sold

                     

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                      Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                      Station Annaka from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” Published by Kinjudo, the set was started by Eisen in 1835 who designed twenty-four prints before Hiroshige replaced him and completed the set before 1843. Shows the entourage of a feudal lord progressing along the road between rest houses.

                       

                      Very fine impression of the earliest printing. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                       

                      Status: Sold

                       

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                        Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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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: Sold

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                          Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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                          A group of three women picking mushrooms. Published c 1800. Another impression, from the Musee Guimet, is illustrated in Muneshige Narazaki, Ukiyo-e Masterpieces in European Collections, 6, Musee Guimet, Paris, 1, p. 176, no. 90.

                           

                          Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. Unsigned.

                           

                          Status: Sold

                           

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                            Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)



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                            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: Sold

                             

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                              Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                              A snow scene from a set Edo komei kaitei zukushi, “Famous Teahouses of Edo,” Kameido uramon, Tamaya, “Back Gate of the Shrine at Kameido: The Tamaya Teahouse.” The set published by Shogendo, 1838-40.

                              Very fine impression. Fine colour. Slight centre fold (strengthened au verso), otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                              Status: Sold

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                                Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                Station Hamamatsu from Tokaido gojusan-tsugi no uchi, “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.” This seminal work was possible because Hiroshige was asked to accompany an official procession along the Tokaido Road from Edo to Kyoto in 1832, and he made numerous sketches to document the journey. A winter scene with farmers warming themselves around a fire. Hamamatsu Castle in the distance. Because of the set’s popularity, it was reprinted many times and there are a plethora of late impressions. Early printings are hard to find. Published by Hoeido (Takenouchi Magohachi) and Tsuruya Kiemon (Senkakudo) 1833-34.

                                 

                                Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                 

                                Status: Sold

                                 

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                                  Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                  Station Hakone from a set Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road,” aka the Reisho Tokaido from the clerical script used in the title, or the Marusei Tokaido after the publisher Maruya Seijiro (Marusei) who published the set 1847-52. Hakone, yonaka taimatsu tori, “Hakone, Travelling with Pine Torches at Night.” Porters lighting the way for a palanquin with firebrands on a mountain path. A beautiful design.

                                   

                                  Very fine impression with strong woodgrain. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                   

                                  Status: Sold

                                   

                                   

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                                    Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)



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                                    Somen no taki, “The Wheat Noodle Waterfall.” From a set Nikkosan meisho no uchi, “Celebrated Views in the Nikko Mountains.”Two travellers admire the fall from below. On a ledge above them is a stone statue of Jizo Bosatsu, the deity of travellers. From a set of five prints: It was probably intended to be a set of three prints but another two were added, possibly with the intention of going on to emulate Hokusai’s waterfall set. Published by Yamamotoya Heikichi (Eikyudo) c. 1843-47. In contrast to Hokusai’s set, Eisen’s have a more muscular appearance. See: The Japanese Print: A New Approach, J. Hillier, Bell & Son, 1960, Chapter XVI, where Jack Hillier discusses Eisen and his landscapes and considers this set “… is perhaps the crowning achievement of his career as a designer of landscape prints.”

                                     

                                    Fine impression. (Late impressions are not known of this set, probably due to not having the popularity of Hokusai’s set.) Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Keisai Eisen utsusu.

                                     

                                    Status: Sold

                                     

                                     

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                                      Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)




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                                      Nikko Shimofuri no taki, “Shimofuri Waterfall in Nikko” from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, the “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859-1861 (this being 1859).

                                       

                                       

                                      Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                       

                                       

                                      Status: Sold

                                       

                                       

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                                        Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)




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                                        Gathering iwatake, rock tripe or rock mushrooms in Kii Province. The common name for various edible lichens that grow on cliffs. The gatherers used precarious baskets that were hauled up and down the cliff face to collect them. Kishu Kumano iwatake tori from Shokoku meisho hyakkei. “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” Published by Uoyei 1859-1861 (this being 1860).

                                         

                                         

                                        Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                         

                                         

                                        Status: Sold

                                         

                                         

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                                          BUNSEI (Active c. 1830 -1844)




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                                          A complete set of Eight Views of Xiaoxiang, modern Hunan Province, China. These eight views were taken up by Japanese artists such as Hiroshige and transposed to Japan becoming sets like the Eight Views of Omi, etc. Bunsei was a pupil of Tani Buncho. He seems to have made a speciality of this subject and there is a slightly larger version set of the same subject. Published c. 1830s. Provenance: Ex Hayashi with his seal on most of the designs. Rare complete.
                                            
                                          Very good impressions and colour. Minor edge wormage, othwerwise very good condition. Each signed Bunsei.
                                            
                                          Status: Sold




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                                            Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                            Nihonbashi yukibare, “The Nihon Bridge, Clear Weather After Snow.” 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. Number 1 from the set and a view of the Sumida River with Mt. Fuji in the distance. This is the starting point for the Tokaido Road.

                                             

                                            Fine, early impression with gradation on the roofs and on Mt. Fuji. Fine colour. Margins trimmed a little, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                             

                                            Status: Sold

                                             

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                                              Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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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: Sold

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                                                Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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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: Sold

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                                                  Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                  The great Sanjo Bridge, Kyoto. Number 55 from the Tokaido: Gojusantsugi published by Marusei, c 1848-49. Also known as the Reisho Tokaido. Shows figures on the bridge including Oharame carrying firewood and ladies with katsugi garments. In the distance is Higashiyama and Mt. Hiei.
                                                    
                                                  Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
                                                    
                                                  Status: Sold

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                                                    Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)



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                                                    A snow scene: Imadobashi Matsuchiyama, “Imado Bridge and Matsuchi Hill.” From Toto sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of the Eastern [Edo] Capital.” The set published by Ai-To between 1861-1862 (this being 1862). Hiroshige I also designed a number of prints of the same area. The bridge goes over the Sanya Canal.

                                                    Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                    Status: Sold

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                                                      Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)



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                                                      Shinshu Suwa-ko yatsume akauo wo to (ru). Shinshu (Shinano) Province 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 1860). A winter scene showing figures catching lampreys, eels and red rockfish in Lake Suwa. The lake was unusual in having warm currents beneath the ice, even in mid winter.

                                                      Fine impression of first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                      Status: Sold

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                                                        Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                        Kai Otsuki no hara, “Otsuki [“Great Moon”] Plain in Kai Province.” The most popular print from Fuji sanjurokkei, “The Thirty-six Views of Fuji.”Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 4/1858. A distant view of Fuji with a stream meandering amongst wild flowers. Some of them are from the Seven Herbs (Nanakusa) of Autumn, being: pampas grass, susuki, yellow patrinia, ominaeshi, bellflowers, kikyo, and wild carnations, tokonatsu.

                                                        Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                        Status: Sold

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                                                          Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                          Hara from The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido published by Marusei, Maruya Seijiro, 1847-52. Called the Reisho Tokaido because of the angular style of Kanji used. Shows Fuji towering over the landscape with miniscule figures on the road at the bottom. One of the best designs from the set.

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

                                                          Status: Sold

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                                                            Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                            Fujieda from Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.” The set of fifty-five prints was published jointly by Hoeido and Senkakdo in 1834. Shows porters unpacking at the relay station. It was here that fresh horses could be obtained, luggage weighed, labour arranged, and payments made. Hiroshige’s most famous set that was reprinted many times.

                                                            Fine early impression: The porter just off-centre rubbing his back with a towel has a small area on his head that does not print on the earliest impressions, which was later corrected. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                            Status: Sold

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                                                              Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                              Fujieda from The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido published by Marusei, Maruya Seijiro, 1847-52. Called the Reisho Tokaido because of the angular style of Kanji used. Travellers huddled against the rain on a narrow path. One of the best designs from the set.

                                                              Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                              Status: Sold

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                                                                Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                                Wada from the Sixty-nine Stations f the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri (Kinjudo). Wada is the highest point on the Kisokaido and Hiroshige shows travellers traversing the snow covered pass.

                                                                 

                                                                Very good impression and colour. Minimal edge soil and trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                 

                                                                Status: Sold

                                                                 

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                                                                  Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)



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                                                                  A triptych from a set: Furyu Genji: Akashi. An evening scene showing Genji’s secret lover Lady Fujitsubo and an attendant watching the departing Prince Genji walking through the reeds of Akashi Bay. Based on the famous Genji monogatari written by the 11th century noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. Published by Iseya Kanekichi 1853.

                                                                  Fine impression. This is the early state with gradation over the moon. Fine colour. Very slight trimming and retains album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga and Toyokuni ga.

                                                                  Status: Sold

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                                                                    Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                                    Wakasa, Gyosen karei-ami, “Fishing Boats and Flounder Nets in Wakasa [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. Fishing in Wakasa Bay. The highway between the Wakasa ports and Kyoto was nicknamed the “Mackerel Highway” because of the quantity of fish that was transported.

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

                                                                    Status: Sold

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                                                                      Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                                      Oji Shozoku enoki, Omisoka no kitsunebi, “Foxfires on New Year’s Eve at the Shozoku Hackberry Tree, Oji,” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,” published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1857). This is the only design from the set where Hiroshige uses historical fantasy: Every New Year’s Eve foxes gathered at the ancient enoki tree to pay their respects to their fox patron in the nearby Inari shrine at Oji, in northern Edo. The shrine was dedicated to the god of the harvests and farmers would predict the outcome of a harvest by the amount of kitsunebi (fox flames) they saw emitted by the foxes. A popular print from the set.

                                                                       

                                                                      Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                       

                                                                      Status: Sold

                                                                       

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                                                                        Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)




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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: Sold

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                                                                          Kikukawa EIZAN (1787-1867)




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                                                                          A triptych showing a street thronged with people in front of the famous department store Iwaki Masuya, giving a good cross-section of the inhabitants of the city at this time. The store specialised in silk and textiles and was one of the most important in Edo having, at one point, 500 employees in its stores. Hiroshige designed another triptych of this subject in c. 1850.

                                                                           

                                                                           

                                                                          Published by Mikawaya Seiemon, c. 1815. Rare.

                                                                           

                                                                           

                                                                          Fine impression. Extremely fine fresh colour. Fine condition. Full size. Signed Kikukawa Eizan fude.

                                                                           

                                                                           

                                                                          Status: Sold

                                                                           

                                                                           

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                                                                            Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                                            Harima Tatsuyama, “Mount Tatsu [Dragon] in Harima [Province]” from a set of twenty prints Sankai mitate zumo, “Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Sea.” A fanciful and imaginative title lacking in other Hiroshige sets. Comprises of ten prints of mountains and ten prints of harbours. Published by Yamadaya Shojiro, 1858. The title is in a wrestling umpire’s fan (gunbai).

                                                                            Very fine impression of the first edition. Later printings have a solid red in the title cartouche instead of variegated colour and lack other subtleties. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold and minimal soil bottom left margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Hiroshige ga.

                                                                            Status: Sold

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                                                                              Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                                                                              Settsu Arimayama, “Mount Arima in Settsu [Province]” from a set of twenty prints Sankai mitate zumo, “Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Sea.” A fanciful and imaginative title lacking in other Hiroshige sets. Comprises of ten prints of mountains and ten prints of harbours. Published by Yamadaya Shojiro, 1858. The title is in a wrestling umpire’s fan (gunbai).

                                                                              Very fine impression of the first edition. Later printings have a solid red in the title cartouche instead of variegated colour and lack other subtleties. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold and minimal soil bottom left margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                              Status: Sold

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                                                                                Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



                                                                                Click here to view image full size.

                                                                                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: This is the true first edition: Impressions with the bands of blue and yellow in the sub-cartouche are often catalogued as first editions but the impression must also have gradation on the top of the embankment at the bottom. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                                Status: Sold

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