Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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The actors Ichikawa Yaozo II as the samurai Gunsuke, a retainer of the Yoshida family, and Nakamura Nakazo I as Hitokai Sota in a play performed at the Nakamura Theatre, spring 1770. Not listed by F.W. Gookin. Annotated top right by a fan of the theatre. A superb hosoban from Shunsho’s prime.
Very fine impression with the body outlines gauffraged. Fine colour and condition. Signed Shunsho ga with tsubo seal.
Status: Sold
Hosoda EISHI (1756-1829)
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An extremely rare hosoban showing the oiran Hanaogi with her two kamuro from the House of Ogi. This appears to have been from a series as I had another design from the set in my Catalogue 8, 1972, no 38, showing Hinazuru of Choji-ya. Another Eishi hosoban appeared in the Sotheby sale catalogue, July 1963, lot 195. A rare format for anything other than actor prints during this period. Published c 1792. Ex Mellor and P & L Warnock collections. Illustrated in The Floating World Exhibition: Japan’s World of Transient Pleasures, The Art Gallery of South Wales, Sydney, 1994, no. C6.
Very good impression and colour. Printed in tones of pale mauve and grey with details in yellow. Light yellow ground. Some slight soil. Signed Eishi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)
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The well-muscled bodyguard Narukami Kajinosuke played by Sawamura Sojiro IV in the play Sugata no hana azuma no date-zome performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 3/1812. Published by Suzuki Ihei,1812. There is a companion design to this print showing Bando Mitsugoro as Kaminari Tsurunosuke.
Fine impression and colour. Very slightly trimmed at bottom, otherwise good condition. Minimal soil. Signed Toyokuni ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A spirited original drawing showing a warrior brandishing a sword and holding a club. Sumi over the typical red underdrawing Yoshitoshi often employed. On thin paper laid onto Japanese paper. Image size 8 x 6 in; 20 x 15 cms.
Status: Sold
Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)
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A fine original drawing in sumi and colour for the series Hana kurabe, “A Comparison of Flowers” published by Shugyokudo between c 1875 – 1890. The set of 120 prints was issued in groups of 12 enclosed in paper wrappers. This design shows new year Adonis flowers, Fukujuso, together with a trowel and flower pot. On thin paper, 7.5 x 10.5 in; 19 x 26.5 cms. An indication for where the Zeshin seal is to go. Sold together with the published print in good condition sealed Zeshin.
Status: Sold
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Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)
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A fine original drawing in sumi and colour for the series Hana kurabe, “A Comparison of Flowers” published by Shugyokudo between c 1875 – 1890. The set of 120 prints was issued in groups of 12 enclosed in paper wrappers. This design shows plants and bonsai trees seen through a window in an old cracked wall. On thin paper laid onto Japanese paper, 7.25 x 10.25 in; 18.5 x 26 cms. Sold together with the published print in good condition. Signed and sealed.
Status: Sold
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Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)
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A fine original drawing in sumi and colour for the series Hana kurabe, “A Comparison of Flowers” published by Shugyokudo between c 1875 – 1890. The set of 120 prints was issued in groups of 12 enclosed in paper wrappers. This design shows a mouse crouching on the top border looking down on pussy willow. On thin paper, 7.5 x 9.5 in; 19 x 24 cms.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )
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One print from a set of four with title Miburi juni omoi gatsu, “Gestures for the Twelve Months.” Each “gesture” or “caricature” is being performed by a Kabuki actor: So here the 6th month is Nakamura Tsuruzo imitating the serpent of Mt Fuji ( upper right ); 7th month is Otani Tomoemon IV as the gargoyle Onigawara ( lower left ); 8th month is Ichikawa Kuzo II as the turtle-like water sprite Enko ( lower right ); 9th month is Onoe Kikujiro II as the chrysanthemum butterfly. Published c 1847-48 by Ebisuya Shoshichi. Rare.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi giga, “Drawn for fun.”
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI ( 1839-1892 )
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A rare diptych showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX as Saijo Takamori ( = Saigo Takamori ) in the play Okige no kumo harau asagochi by the playwright Kawatake Shinshichi II performed at the Shintomi-za Theatre from the 23rd of the second month, 1878. Saigo Takamori was leader of the rebellion against the Meiji government in 1877. Published by Tsuda Genshichi and dated the 15th of the second month, so it was issued as pre-publicity.
Very fine impression of the first edition with variegated cartouche; colour wiped across the background, and the Danjuro 3-chocolate coloured Mimasu bands around the border. The background is also fnely blind-printed. I have located several other impressions ( one in the Bunka digital library ) that are later printings, lacking the embellishments listed above. Fine colour and condition. Signed Oju Taiso Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A poem by the Heian waka poet Fujiwara no Okikaze , one of the Thirty-Six Immortals of poetry. Shows the poet with a lantern walking along the shore of Takasago Bay past one of the famous pines, all in heavy rain. His famous poem refers to the pine. From a set Hyaku-nin isshu, “The Hundred Poets.” The series published by Yebi-Ne, 1840-2.
Fine impression. (This appears to be the first edition with the pine printed lightly in two tones.) Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold