Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An important pair of original paintings, light colour on silk, 35.5 x 12.75 in; 90 x 32.5 cms. The left painting shows Asukayama in the Eastern Capital (Edo). This was one of the top areas to view the abundant cherry trees, the first of which were planted by the Shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune. A fir tree is seen to the left with cherry trees on the lower slope and a majestic Fuji in the distance. A large foreground object, often only partly shown, is a characteristic of many Hiroshige paintings and prints: They lead the eye into a composition and give perspective. The right-hand painting shows the Sumida River in the Eastern Capital (Edo) with a flowering cherry tree in the foreground. (See the comment above.) The sakura flowers from the end of March to early May and the sakura-zensen, blossom forecast, by the weather forecasters is watched assiduously as the blossom is so transient.
Each painting signed Ryusai with Hiroshige seal. Hiroshige produced a number of paintings in this format with this signature and seal, c. early 1850s. In good condition.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Shows the warrior Zhang Fei (Jap. Yokutoku) awaiting his rival Cao Cao on Changban bridge. Fei tricks his enemy into thinking he leads a vast army by dragging logs from a nearby forest causing a huge dust cloud. Cao Cao retreats. The story is from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Chi. Sanguo yanyi). 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. Fine burnishing on the horse. Most designs from the set have red seals in the margin and red seals over the signature. These were removed on later editions. Margins trimmed a little, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Shows the bloodied western army commander, Shima Sakon, having severed the head of Sato Daihachi, which flies through the air at Horagatoge Pass. Sakon lead an army of his Lord Ishida Mitsunari against the future Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu at the battle of Sekigahara in 1600. 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. (There were no red seals on the first edition of this design.) Trimmed on black border at left, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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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 Toyokuni II (1777-1835)
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An aizuri-e (blue print) showing the courtesan Utagawa of Tamaya admiring a bowl of carnations. From a set Bijin awase published by Shimizu, c. late 1820s. These blue prints using the imported bero, Berlin blue (what we called Prussian blue), became popular during the 1820s to 1840s as the cost came down.
Fine impression and colour. Trimmed slightly, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Available
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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An amorous couple from an unsigned abuna-e (from abunai, risqué) set of twelve prints Keisai higo, “Secret Words of a Courtesan” published c. 1822-25. Although coming under the heading of shunga, each print is without any graphic details. She adjusts his hair with her hairpin while he smokes a pipe.
Fine impression, colour and condition. (Without centre fold, which is often encountered on this set.
Status: Available
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
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Two volumes complete: Ehon haru no nishiki, “Picture Book: The Brocades of Spring.” Vol. 1: 1 page preface dated Kanoto U (1770); single page and 8 double page colour prints. Vol. 2: 1 single page and 8 double page colour prints. 1 page colophon with date, publisher, block-cutter and artist as Suzuki Harunobu with his seal. 2 pages publisher’s announcements. Published by Yamazaki Kimbe, Edo. This is the first edition, Meiwa 8 (1771). Other copies are in the MFA, Boston, acc. no. 1997.477.1-2 and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, acc. no. 1970-46-1. Provenance: Ex collections H.M.Kaempfer and Hayashi (their seals on the first page of each volume). Original covers and title slips. Covers worn. Some soil and edge restoration.
Very good impressions with generally very good colour. Rare in the first edition.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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The great beauty Lady Kaoyo (Gozen) admires herself in a long morror. Lord Ko Moronao, the chief retainer of Shogun Ashikaga Takauji, hears of her beauty and connives to spy on her after her bath. He falls in love, but she is married to En’ya Hankan Takasada. The evil Moronao plots against En’ya although the outcome is that the family is put to death, including En’ya’s wife. The story forms the basis of the famous Chushingura tale. 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. Most designs from the set have red seals in the margin and red seals over the signature. These were removed on later editions. Trimmed on black border at left, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Available
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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old lady in a bath house and two of a seated and standing beauty. (These last two studies were copied many times by Hokusai’s pupils.) Provenance: Ex Hayashi collection, seal bottom right. Good condition.
Status: Available
Attributed to Sugimura JIHEI (Active c. 1681-1703)
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A large-size hand-coloured print showing a couple in flagrante delicto from an untitled set of twelve prints published by Hangiya Chojiro, c. 1685. (There were in fact two alternative designs added making a total of fourteen sheets.) Most reference works give this set to Moronobu. However, Timothy Clark, in the British Museum exhibition catalogue: Shunga, sex and pleasure in Japanese art, 2013, pp. 128-131 attributes the set to Jihei stating that “…this group of prints is one of the most glorious to have survived from the early period of ukiyo-e.”
Very good impression. Fine hand-colouring. Minor imperfections and signs of mounting au verso, but all compatible with the age of the print.
Status: Available
Attributed to Sugimura JIHEI (Active c. 1681-1703)
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A large-size hand-coloured print showing a couple in flagrante delicto from an untitled set of twelve prints published by Hangiya Chojiro, c. 1685. (There were in fact two alternative designs added making a total of fourteen sheets.) Most reference works give this set to Moronobu. However, Timothy Clark, in the British Museum exhibition catalogue: Shunga, sex and pleasure in Japanese art, 2013, pp. 128-131 attributes the set to Jihei stating that “…this group of prints is one of the most glorious to have survived from the early period of ukiyo-e.”
Very good impression. Fine hand-colouring. Minor imperfections and signs of mounting au verso, but all compatible with the age of the print.
Status: Available
Hishikawa MORONOBU (?-1694)
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A large sumizuri-e print from a shunga set of twelve published c. 1680s. In each case the couples are enclosed in a Chinese-style fan border. A couple in flagrante delicto beside a tiger and bamboo screen. Moronobu was possibly the single most influential artist and pioneered the ukiyo-e school. A painter, printmaker and illustrator.
Good impression. Minor marks, otherwise good condition.
Status: Available
Hishikawa MORONOBU (?-1694
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A large sumizuri-e print from a shunga set of twelve published c. 1680s. In each case the couples are enclosed in a Chinese-style fan border. A couple in flagrante delicto, the women disturbed while threading a needle. Moronobu was possibly the single most influential artist and pioneered the ukiyo-e school. A painter, printmaker and illustrator.
Very good impression. Slight stains at top, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Available
Hishikawa MORONOBU (?-1694)
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A large sumizuri-e print from a shunga set of twelve published c. 1680s. In each case the couples are enclosed in a Chinese-style fan border. A couple in flagrante delicto. Moronobu was possibly the single most influential artist and pioneered the ukiyo-e school. A painter, printmaker and illustrator.
Very good impression. A small wormhole and slight stain, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Available
Hishikawa MORONOBU (?-1694)
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A large sumizuri-e print from a shunga set of twelve published c. 1680s. In each case the couples are enclosed in a Chinese-style fan border. A couple in flagrante delicto. Moronobu was possibly the single most influential artist and pioneered the ukiyo-e school. A painter, printmaker and illustrator.
Very good impression. A small wormhole and slight stain, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Shows Kintaro (aka Sakata Kaidomaru and Sakata no Kintoki) grappling with a giant carp. Kintaro, a child of herculean strength, was raised by a yama-uba on Mount Ashigara where he was befriended by the mountain animals. 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. The masterpiece from the set and one of Yoshitoshi’s best designs. A fine set.
Extremely fine impression and colour from the first edition. Most designs from the set have red seals in the margin and red seals over the signature. These were removed on later editions. Margins trimmed a little, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A fascinating print showing Kintoki (aka Kintaro and Sakata Kaidomaru) and yama-uba beneath a flowering cherry tree. Strong western elements are obvious in this design indicating a knowledge of (probably) Flemish Madonna and Child paintings or icons, Kintoki standing in for the child Jesus. Yama-uba is depicted as a bare-breasted benign mother figure, rather than the wizened witch which is how she is usually shown, having raised Kintoki on Mount Ashigara. 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 with a brown Kintoki (rather than bright red) and the red seals in the margin and over signature. The white hare’s coat is blind-printed. Margins trimmed a little, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Available
Toyoharu KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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The actor Bando Hikosaburo V as Nikki Danjo from a set Goketsu kijutsu kurabe, “Competition of the Magicians.” Published by Matsui Eikichi, 1873/4. Hikosaburo played Nikki Danjo in the play Date zensei kuruwa kagami at the Murayama Theatre, 3/1872. The story relates how Nikki Danjo retrieves the list of conspirators against the Lord of Oshu by changing into a rat. A guard attacks the rat and strikes it on the head with an iron fan. It transmogrifies into Nikki Danjo. This sensational scene in kabuki has Nikki Danjo emerging through a trapdoor in the hanamachi in a cloud of smoke. He is usually shown with the scroll of conspirators in his mouth and a red mark on his forehead where he was hit by the fan.
Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Oju Kunichika hitsu.
Status: Available
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Station Suhara from Kisokaido rokujukyu tsugi no uchi, “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido” published by Kinjudo, 1834-1842. The road known as the Nakasendo, “central mountain route,” as opposed to the Tokaido which was the “eastern sea route” was started with Keisai Eisen and finished by Hiroshige who designed 47 prints. This is one of Hiroshige’s most famous designs. Shows travellers sheltering in a wayside shrine from heavy rain with two figures running for its shelter. In the distance, silhouetted, a figure on horseback, another following on foot. Hiroshige based his design on an illustration in Itcho gafu, “Itcho’s Picturebook” by Suzuki Rinsho, 1770. This station is famous for the number of variant states, some lighter, some darker, and variations in the gradation on the trees as the printers strove to capture this stormy scene. This is an early state.
Fine impression with crisp seals. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa SADAKAGE (Fl. c. 1818-1844)
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An aizuri-e (blue print) showing a beauty bowing obsequiously with a cup of tea. Shi, “Samurai” from a set of the Four Estates: Shi, Samurai; No, Peasant; Ko, Artisan; Sho, Merchant. Published by Kawaguchiya Chozo, c. 1830s. These blue prints using the imported bero, Berlin blue (what we called Prussian blue), became popular during the 1820s to 1840s as the cost came down.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Gokotei Sadakage ga.
Status: Available
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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A triptych Ujigawa Kajiwara Kagesue, Sasaki Takatsuna, miju uma. Yoshitsune is informed that Kiso no Yoshinaka is entrenched behind the natural defence of the Uji river, then in full flood. Yoshitsune calls on Kajiwara Kagesue and Sayemon-no-jo Sasaki Shiro Takatsuna to make an attempt at fording the river. He gives them his best horses: Surusumi to Kagesue and Iketsuki to Takatsuna. They plunge into the river beside their horses with Takatsuna, dodging the hail of arrows, arriving first. One of Kiyochika’s best designs. Published 1899.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Untrimmed with margins intact. Signed Kiyochika.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Looking Itchy: the appearance of a kept woman of the Kaei era [1848-1854]. Shows a beauty emerging from a mosquito net that has apparently not been entirely successful. From a set Thirty-two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888. The set depicts women of different backgrounds and occupations from the Kansei era through to the Meiji era with punning allusions to their situation or mood.
Very fine impression with strong blind-printing on the fall. Fine colour and condition. Full size. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A large original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 15 x 20 in; 38 x 51 cms. Shows a large group of actors in front of a theatre. Most likely two sheets for an intended triptych. There appears to be the publisher’s seal Kiya Sojuro brushed-in at the bottom who was active c 1851-1904. Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Julius Kurth (1870-1949), an eminent scholar who wrote extensively on Japanese and Chinese art. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.
Status: Available
Nagasawa ROSETSU (1754-1799)
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An original fan painting, sumi on treated paper, 17 x 6.25 in; 43 x 16 cms. Shows two needlefish (family Belonidae).Rosetsu is considered one of the most important artists of the late Edo period but little is known of his short life – he died at forty-five, apart from the fact that he studied and was one of the top disciples of Maruyama Okyo. He is labelled an “eccentric” painter as he defies easy classification. His brushwork is a tour de force and he is known for his expressive depictions of animals. Signed Rosetsu with his Gyo (fish) seal. Framed and glazed with the fan mounted onto Japanese paper. Good condition, apart from the obvious fan folds.
Status: Available
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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The actor Onoye Kikugoro III as the ghost of Oiwa from a production of Yotsuya kaidan at the Morita Theatre, 1836. Probably the most famous Japanese ghost story. It was adapted by the playwright Tsuruya Nanboku IV for his friend Kikugoro in 1825. The left panel of a diptych (the right panel being boring and usually ignored). A scene on Snake Mountain showing Oiwa, disfigured by poison, emerging from a burning lantern to haunt her husband, Tamiya Lemon, who had murdered her father. Published by Kawaguchi-ya Chozo, 1836.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Available
ANONYMOUS (Late 18th century)
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An Uki-e, “floating picture” painting showing an interior with a puppet performance taking place. A puppeteer manipulates a female puppet in the centre, behind him two gidayu narrators and a shamisen player. A male puppet is being held behind a screen. Ladies behind a screen at right enjoy the drama. In fact, a male individual at the back seems overcome by emotion with a hanky to his face. The architecture is represented using one-point perspective, a style which made its way to Japan in the 1740’s from the West via China. (Interestingly the artist has got the perspective wrong on the screen at right.) This genre of painting – invariably unsigned – always shows interior or semi-interior views with banquets or, as here, puppet performances. Full colour on paper, 17 x 23 in; 43.2 x 58.5 cms. Minor marks, although good condition for this kind of painting.
Status:
Available
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Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A vertical diptych showing a multitude of cranes flying up from a cresting wave to a large red sun. In fact this diptych was used by an Edo publisher as end sheets to albums – usually sets of Hiroshige landscapes. Rare: Invariably it is impossible to match the two sheets as the bottom design is always graded blue at the top. Another matching impression is illustrated pl. 143 in Four Hundred Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints From The Museum Of Art, Rhode Island School Of Design, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Collection Of Japanese Prints, 1990. Another impression is known with a large red seal at a slight angle bottom right. (This may be the first state but rather spoils the design.) Published 5/1858.
Fine impression and colour. Small expertly repaired binding holes, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu with Ichiryusai seal.
Status: Sold
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
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An aizuri fan print. Shows two travellers admiring the view of the Tama River and Mt. Koya in Kii Province. Published c 1849. Sadahide produced a considerable number of fan prints and it seems to have been a speciality of his. Rare.
Very good impression and colour. Minor edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Uncut. Signed Gountei Sadahide ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
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An aizuri fan print. Shows travellers arriving at Inba Marsh in Shimosa Province. This is now an important wetland habitat for wild birds. Published c 1849. Sadahide produced a considerable number of fan prints and it seems to have been a speciality of his. Rare.
Very good impression and colour. Minor edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Uncut. Signed Gountei Sadahide ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807-1873)
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An uncut fan print showing Otsu-e pictures. (These were cheaply and quickly produced folk images, beginning in the 17th century, sold at an important road junction at Otsu, a port on Lake Biwa. Hence the nomenclature.) Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, c 1849. . Sadahide produced a considerable number of fan prints and it seems to have been a speciality of his. Rare.
Very good impression and colour. Slight edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Uncut. Signed Sadahide ga (on three of the Otsu-e).
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An uncut fan print with title Shinkiro no zu which has a double meaning of being the Yoshiwara in the deep sea and also a chimera or mirage. The scene enclosed in a (dreaming ?) bivalve shows visitors in a watery Yoshiwara, all with fish heads. Of the utmost rarity: This appears to be the only impression known. There are also what appear to be keying marks on three sides that have not been removed. Published by Shinagawaya Kyusuke with censor seal for 1845.
Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige giga hitsu.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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An original painting, light colour on paper, 13 x 16.5 in; 33 x 42 cms. Shows a sparrow flying over a flowering plum tree. Light soil and creasing, but in generally good condition. Signed Hokusai suichu hitsu, “Hokusai painted while drunk.” Sealed Katsushika. (One of his better-known seals. He used different versions of it throughout his career.)
Status: Sold
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Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An original fan painting, sumi on treated paper, 17.5 x 5.5 in; 44.5 x 14 cms. Shows two dogs – possibly Chin. In very good condition: As nearly always, showing the rib folds of the fan. Tipped onto gold-speckled board. Signed and sealed Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Uegaki HORYU (Fl. c 1716-1736)
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An original painting, full colour on paper, 36.5 x 15.5 in; 92.75 x 39.4 cms. Shows a full-length courtesan. It appears there are at least four other Horyu paintings known: Two in the Tokyo National Museum: C0041812 and C0041813; one in the Cleveland Museum of Art; and another in the MFA, Boston, Acc. no. 11.7482. Horyu worked in parallel (and in competition) with the Kaigetsudo atelier. Signed Nihon-e Uegaki Horyu kore o gasu with one Horyu seal; the other unread. The lid of the box is inscribed: Kaigetsudo-ha Uegaki Horyu-hitsu tayu tachi sugata, “A standing figure of a top courtesan brushed by Uegaki Horyu of the Kaigetsudo school.” And on the inside of the lid: Showa hinoto’u uzuki gekan, “Late April of the Fire Rabbit Year [Showa 62/1987].” Appraised by Kimura Suetsuke (a dealer and Ukiyo-e expert). Areas of restoration at bottom and one or two other small areas, but otherwise in very good condition for a painting of this period.
Status: Sold
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
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
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Suo Iwakuni Kintaibashi, “The Bridge of the Brocade Sash at Iwakuni in Suo Province.” From an uncompleted set: Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of the Provinces.” Published by Uoei between 1859 – 1861 (this being 1859). Shows the beautiful five-arch bridge spanning the Nishiki-gawa under heavy snow. The village of Nishikimi in the foreground. The bridge was built in 1673 using massive stone pilings because earlier bridges had been swept away. It was destroyed in 1950 due to a typhoon but rebuilt in 1953. The best print from the set and probably Hiroshige IIs finest design.
Fine impression of the first edition with mica applied. Fine colour. Minor edge discolouration, otherwise very good condition. Later editions lack the variegated cartouche and the colour-banded publisher’s seal in left margin. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Shimotsuke Nikkosan urami no taki, “Back-viewed Waterfall on Mt. Nikko in Shimotsuke [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. Figures gaze up at the back of the waterfall which thunders over the path. It is also known with variant colour schemes. A fine design.
Very fine impression with strong blind-printing on the fall. Very fine colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Musashi, Sumidagawa, yuki no ashita, “Musashi [Province], Sumida River, Morning after Snow.” 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, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Tosa, kaijo katsuo tsuri, “Tosa [Province], Bonito Fishing at Sea.” Fishermen used fishing rods, rather than nets, to reduce the stress on the fish and maximise taste. Tosa, located on the southern coast of the island of Shikoku, was famous for its bonito. 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 1855.
Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An extremely rare chu-tanzaku, Fuyu Sumidagawa no yuki, “Winter Snow on the Sumida River.” From a set Shiki Edo meisho, “Famous Places in Edo in the Four Seasons.” A lone figure in straw cape and large hat poles a log raft down the Sumida river in heavy snow. Published by Kawasho c. 1834. There are a number of states of this design known: As here (probably the earliest) with publisher’s seal and kiwame seal; with kiwame only; and without either. There are also extremely deceiving copies of this print. Provenance: Ex Le Veel collection, sold by Ader Picard Tajan, Paris, 2nd sale, 24/10/1980, lot 114, p. 50.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold