Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)
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A print from a set of three with title: Sanshibai mitate tako, “Parody of the Three Plays Shown as Kites”. Shows various kite designs together with accoutrements to kite flying. The actors image/s together with other clues gave the name of the play which would have been obvious to the public at the time. Published 1862. Unidentified publisher. The only time I have recorded this print.
Good impression and colour. Some soil and small restorations, otherwise good condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUN’EI (1762-1819)
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The actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Yasukata performing a vigorous hobby-horse dance in Godai Genji mitsugi no furisode. Published by Tsuruya Kiemon c1790-91. Ex Tamba collection (seal bottom right).
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Shun’ei ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An actor as a tattooed fireman from a set of seven prints Isami no Kotobuki. “A Celebration of Gallantry”. Firemen often had elaborate tattoos to show their indifference to pain. The set published by Daikin 8/1865. Rare.
Very fine impression and colour. On thick deluxe hosho. Extensive burnishing. Gofun oxidised (as usual). Slight offsetting of blue pigment, otherwise very good condtion. Signed Gyokuo Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An actor as a tattooed fireman from a set of seven prints Isami no Kotobuki. “A Celebration of Gallantry”. Firemen often had elaborate tattoos to show their indifference to pain. The set published by Daikin 8/1865. Rare.
Very fine impression and colour. On thick deluxe hosho. Gofun oxidised (as usual). otherwise fine condtion. Signed Gyokuo Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A beauty in sumptuous clothing from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. The inset view here shows dyer beetles being collected in Yamashiro Province. Yamashiro ebizuru mushi. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.
Superb impression, very fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A beauty in sumptuous clothing from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. The inset view here shows the making of tie-dyed cloth in Bungo Province. Bungo shiborizome. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.
Superb impression, very fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A beauty in sumptuous clothing from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. The inset view here shows crabs being caught in Nagato Province. Nagato kani. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.
Superb impression, very fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A lively design showing Ichikawa Danjuro VII in the role of the loyal warrior Arajishi Otokonosuke Terumitsu fighting a giant rat in the cellar beneath the women’s quarters of the Ashikaga Palace. This scene, Yukashita no Ba, is from the play Date kurabe okuni Kabuki performed at the Kawarasaki-za Theatre, 3/1829. Shortly afterwards, the rat escapes down a hole in the hanamichi pathway, only to re-emerge in a cloud of smoke as the arch-villain and master of the black arts, Nikki Danjo. Published by Eikyudo (Yamamoto Kyubei) 1829.
Fine impression, colour and condition on an extra large sheet of hosho. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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A fine surimono showing the actor Danjuro VII casting roasted beans from a tray he holds in his left hand. This ritual called setsubun, “end of winter” was performed in the precincts of temples in the Spring (although now takes place in February). He wears the well known Shibaraku costume with the large mimasu crests. Two poems above by Shiseido Sutena and Hoichitei Masunari. The latter being a member of the Taiko-ren, Drum poetry club. Their symbol top right corner. Issued c 1822. Illustrated in colour on the front cover of Art of the Surimono, Theodore Bowie, Indiana University Art Museum, 1979. Rare.
Superb impression with extensive gold and silver. Perfect colour. Light Japanese backing and slightly trimmed at left. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
SESSHUNSAI (Dates unknown but active c 1800)
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An extremely rare early Osaka hosoban showing the actor Asao Tamejuro II (1779-1806) standing before a broken barricade in the role of Yamashiro Kantsubo in the play Meiboku sendai hagi. This artist and print appear to be unrecorded. Published by Houki (Honya Kichisai), c early 1800. A wonderful design. Many thanks to Hendrick Luhl for his help on this print.
Very good impression and colour. The fujitive background aobana, dayflower pigment, intact except for one small area affected by moisture visible au verso. Very good condition. Signed Sesshunsai ga with seal unread.
Status: Sold
Jokei RYUKOSAI (Fl. c 1772-1816)
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The most important and influential Osaka artist of the late eighteenth century. An innovator whose style may well have influenced such artists as Shunei and Sharaku. His prints – mostly hosoban – are all of the utmost rarity. Indeed, it is thought they originally formed triptychs but, so far, no complete design has been located. The oban design offered here is even rarer, there being only two other impressions known: Illustrated in colour, pl. 13, in Kamigata Ukiyo-e Nihyaku-nen Ten, “200 Years of Kamigata Ukiyo-e,” Susumu Matsudaira, 1975; and pl. 43, p. 56, catalogue of exhibition Ukiyo-e of the Kamigata Area at the Osaka Museum of History and Yamaguchi Prefectural Hagi Uragami Museum, Kitagawa Hiroko, 2014. Shows five actors. From right to left (rear): Nakamura Kyojuro, Arashi Sangoro III, Kataoka Nizaemon VII and (front): Asao Tamejiro I, Ichikawa Danzo IV. Published c 1790 by Ki.
Fine impression. Very good colour. Small areas of contemporary hand colouring to face and costume of Tamejiro. Slight folds and small sumi mark bottom left, otherwise very good condition. Probably full size. Signed Ryukosai ga.
Status: Sold
Jokei RYUKOSAI (Fl. c 1772-1816)
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The most important and influential Osaka artist of the late eighteenth century. An innovator whose style may well have influenced such artists as Shunei and Sharaku. His prints – mostly hosoban – are all of the utmost rarity. Indeed, it is thought, as here, that they originally formed triptychs but, so far, no complete design has been located. The unsigned left panel of a triptych published 1/1793 showing Onoe Shinshichi I (Fujaku) as Isshiki Yukinokami in the play Keisai yanagi sakura. The play involves the rescue of the Ashikaga Shogunate through the efforts of Yukinokami in uncovering a usurper’s plot. The hero stands in a snowy garden holding a fragment of a handscroll he has been found reading. Of the utmost rarity: Only a few impressions are known and there are two states: As here without role above and published by Osakaya Sashichi and with the calligraphy and published by Shiocho.
Fine impression, colour and condition.
Status: Sold
TOGAKUSAI (Active c 1782)
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An extremely rare and early Osaka hosoban (probably unrecorded) showing the actor Kano Hinasuke I (who later became Arashi Koroku III) standing on large geta and holding an umbrella. Published by Shioki-han (Shioya Kisuke), c 1782. The poem above is signed using the actor’s hango Arashi Minshi. Only a few designs are known by this artist. Many thanks to Hendrick Luhl for his help on this print.
Very good impression and colour. Some wear and tear which has been skilfully restored. On very thin paper. Signed Togakusai hitsu with seal Sadakuni.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
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An exceptionally rare original double-sided woodblock. On one side is the key-block showing Ichikawa Danjuro VII as the strongman, “chikaramochi,” Ura no Kingo. On the other is the key-block showing Iwai Kumesaburo II as the female acrobat, “karuwazashi,” Tamamoto Kosan. The play is Fujikawabune noriai banashi performed at the Nakamura-za Theatre, 5/1826. The block measures 8.5 x 10.75 x .75 in; 21.6 x 27.3 x 2 cms. The two images signed Gototei Kunisada ga. In very good condition but with obvious minor damage. Sold “as is.”
Status: Sold
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Okumura MASANOBU (1686 – 1764)
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A hosoban showing the fight between Ushiwaka Maru ( Yoshitsune ) and Benkei on Gojo Bridge ( 1170 ). Arguably the most influential figure in ukiyoe, reputedly being the innovator of colour printing. An urushi-e, coloured by hand in yellow, tan, lilac, gofun and heavy sumi over embossed lines. Published c 1725. Ex collections Tony Straus-Negbaur and Walter von Scheven ( 1878 – 1950 ) and purchased by him at Cassirer & Helbing, 1928, lot 64, ( from Tony Straus-Negbaur ). Extremely rare.
Very good impression. Slight soil and small repaired edge wormholes. But generally very nice condition for such an example. Signed Okumura Masanobu hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Saito Toshimoto and a Chinese general struggling underwater. The second best design from Taiheiki yeiyu den, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki.” Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi, 1848-9. Robinson S62.31.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Sasai Kyuzo Masayasu enveloped in smoke and avoiding musketry at the battle of Anegawa ( 1570 ). The best design from Taiheiki yeiyu den, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki.” Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi, 1848-9. Robinson S62.36.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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The battle of Miidera Temple. An early triptych, c. 1820-25. The temple became very prosperous but was at constant war with its rival, the Hieizan. Both temples kept armies of mercenaries. Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi. A later edition is illustrated in Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Exhibition to Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s Birth, Nagoya City Museum et al, 1996, no. 5, p. 36. Probably Robinson T6.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Torii KIYONAGA (1752 – 1815)
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A chubby red Kintaro acting as an umpire for two battling tengu. Other tengu in baskets behind him and at his side a bear also watches. These tengu – winged, beaked and clawed creatures – lived in the mountains and forests. It is narrated that as a toddler he was observed shaking and tearing at a large tree in which there was a nest of tengu fledglings, which he took home in a basket. Kiyonaga designed at least 28 of these Kintaro prints, see Kiyonaga, Chie Hirano, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1939, nos. 979 – 1006 ( this being 1005, PLLXV ). Published by Nishimura, 1812. Rare.
Very good impression and colour. Minor edge soil and signs of mounting au verso. Signed Kiyonaga hitsu.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
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Takatsuna’s greatest exploit: Shown here ( centre ) swimming with his horse across the swollen Uji River to attack Kiso no Yoshinaka. His rival Kagesuye ( left ) and Shigetada further off to the right. Published by Yenshu-ya Hikobei 1849. A wonderful design. Robinson T217.
Superb impression. Very fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows the young warrior said to be as strong as an ox Sen-Kanja Usjiwaka Saburo Yoshitora. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ).
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows Ake Tamanosuke, a famous rider and archer with a wooden statue of his mentor Kansho behind him. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).
Fine impression and colour with mica ground. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows the boisterous Koo-maru, also known as “Hyonosuke” the Leopard Kid. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows Rokugi Suginosuke Norifusa, a robber-chief and magician, also known as Tengu-jiro as he could fly like the tengus. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ).
Fine impression and colour with mica. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows Akashi Shiganosuke, the notoriously strong Yokozuma sumo-fighter, holding an opponent at bay with one hand. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ).
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows Oshima Tanzo, a member of the robber-chief Shindo Kajiro Nobuyuki’s tribe. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows the robber-chief Shindo Kojiro Nobuyuki being asked by the monkey spirit of Shinohaza to avenge his murder by Inaba Taro. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ).
Fine impression and colour with strong burnishing. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows Kinezumi Konoshi Kaiden, the muscular monk, killing a monstrous wild cat that had tormented a village. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows Sangoku Taro who travelled through India and China learning conjuring tricks. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).
Fine impression and colour with mica ground. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Shows Satami Jirotaro Yoshishige collecting the head of his adversary Awa Katsegura that his faithful dog has retrieved. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7.
Fine impression and colour with gauffrage on the dog and mica ground. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold