Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1826-1869)
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A pair of original kakejiku with two paintings on each. Possibly from the front and back cover pages of a first edition “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo” set. Sumi and colour, image size of each painting 13.5 x 8.75 in; 34.25 x 22 cms. Shows top left a bowl with – possibly – turnips and a poem. Below a wicker basket and bowl with a miniature plum tree and an adonis plant (the most popular plants for the New Year). On the right, at the top are two chidori with poem and below a sake barrel and a plum branch. The bottom two paintings are signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal. In fact, there is another version of the chidori painting associated with a painting of a kago and lantern illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, Hiroshige – A Poetic Ukiyo-e Artist, Fukushima Minpo, 1971, no. 16. These are also possibly from the ends of a first edition set of prints. Hiroshige and Hiroshige II were known to make these paintings, presumably for special clients. Provenance: Ex Takeoka Toyota collection (1844-1931). The box dated (Taisho 11, 1922) and guaranteed by him. He was a famous collector from the Meiji to early Showa era. Paintings and mounts in very good condition.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original painting in sumi with touches of green and pale blue. Image size 50 x 17 in; 127 x 43.2 cms on paper. Shows the Mount Haruna area which also has Mount Myogi and Mount Akagi. Depicts the strange peaks surrounded by swirling mist and cloud. The region was formed more than 300,000 years ago in Gunma, eastern Honshu. Hiroshige designed a snow scene of the same area for the print set Sixty-odd Provinces of Japan published in 1853. Recently remounted and in very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Ichiryusai seal.
Status: Sold
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Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original painting, sumi and light colour on paper, 34.25 x 11.5 in; 87 x 29 cm. Shows a seated courtesan, her summer robe with a water wheel and wave motif. A beautiful poem above which has been translated by Joel Earle:
TITLE The title of the painting is 蓴 (jun, nunawa), the aquatic plant Brasenia schreberi, commonly known as watershield. TRANSCRIPTION 中々尓夢路耳河者ゝ袖飛きてい者まほし幾尓あ那ら聲尓天 Naka naka ni / yumeji ni kawamono wa / sode hikite / iwama hoshiki ni / anara koe nite TRANSLATION Ah, how vexing! In the path of dreams where I travel towards you, you draw near like a flowing river and tug at my sleeve. I long to speak—but your alluring voice leaves me breathless. COMMENTARY Title The painting’s title, nunawa, is a metaphor for a courtesan, kawaramono who inhabits in the Floating World of Water, referring to the lively, impermanent realm of riverside quarters, performers, and night-time entertainment. Text 中々に naka naka ni. Conveys a sense of frustration, of “things not going as one wishes”, especially in love. 夢路に yumeji ni. “On the path of dreams”. Not just “in a dream” but on the classical path in which one travels to meet a beloved in dreams, and by extension, the road to the pleasure quarters. 河者ゝ kawamono ya. This term is tricky and layered. It literally evokes a river’s flow, something that comes toward you, but in Edo usage, 河者 kawamono or 河原者 kawaramono could be a derogatory term for performers, kabuki actors, entertainers, etc.—people who “flow in and out” of the pleasure world. 袖ひきて sode hikite. A classic gesture: pulling the sleeve to invite or entice. 言はまほしきに iwama hoshiki ni. A clear wish or desire: “I want to speak (to you)”. あなら聲にて anara koe nite. A seductive, alluring voice, indicating softness and charm.
The painting is in the Shijo style which employs the rapid and dexterous use of a brush loaded with pigment to achieve tonality without initial drawing or outline. While the results can be detailed, they often capture the essence of a subject in an abbreviated manner.
Signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal. Rare. See my Hiroshige painting blog. Recently cleaned and remounted with futomaki and new box.
Status: Sold
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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: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original painting, sumi and light colour on paper, image size 13.5 x 20 in; 34.3 x 50.8 cms. Shows the Shiraito no Taki waterfall at Hakone. The water, originating from Mount Fuji, flows over the edge of a 20 meter high cliff in thin white streams reminiscent of silk threads (hence the name Shiraito). Sold with the lid of a previous box which has a guarantee by Kazuo Inoue (a well known expert on Ukiyo-e [1889-1946] dated 1943 which gives the painting as having been done 1845-1848). In very good condition. Signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original painting, sumi and light colour on silk, 13.5 x 20.5 in; 34.5 x 52 cms. Shows the renowned Husband and Wife rocks, Meoto Iwa, “Married Couple Stones,” off Futami, Mie, Japan. At this time – c. late 1840s – many thin ropes were used to tie the couple together. They are now joined by a single large shimenawa – a rope of rice straw. The larger (male) rock called Izanagi has a small torii at the top. The smaller (female) rock is called Izanami. They are sacred to the Shinto religion and worshippers flock to the neighbouring Futami Okitama Shrine, which is dedicated to the food goddess Miketsu. The ancient Shinto custom of worshipping stones is called Iwakura. A fine Hiroshige painting.
Signed Hiroshige ga with large Ichiryusai seal. In good condition with interesting old mount.
Status: Sold
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Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An original painting, sumi and light colour on silk, 14.5 x 22 in; 36.8 x 55.9 cms. Labelled on the right Hakone no kosui, “The Lake of Hakone.” Shows the reflection of Fuji in Lake Kawaguchi with the Misaka mountain range. A similar view could be seen from Lake Ashi. Hokusai produced a version for for the Thirty-six Views of Fuji set and this area was the subject of a number of Hiroshige prints. Signed Hiroshige with Ichiryusai seal. In very good condition.
Status: Sold
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Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Mii no bansho, “Evening Bell at Miidera Temple” from a set Omi hakkei no uchi, “Eight Views in Omi [Province].” Shows the temple hidden amongst hills on the southern side of Lake Biwa. Miidera is the common name for the Onjoji, a temple of the Tendai sect founded in 858. Published by Hoeido and Eikyudo in c. 1834-5. The “Eight Views” theme was derived (as so much else in Japanese art) from China and based on the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang paintings of the 11th century. The subject was transposed to Omi and then taken up by such artists as Harunobu, and later Hiroshige. It was often playfully alluded to in sets of eight prints in mitate-e style.
Very good impression, colour and condition, Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Mimasaka, Yamabushidani, “Mimasaka [Province], Yamabushi Valley.”A high wind and rain in the valley with a man on a raft on the Yoshi River. Other figures in the foreground, one having lost his hat. 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.
Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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The Yoro Waterfall. Mino, Yoro no taki, “Mino [Province], Yoro Waterfall” from Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces.” The 32 meters fall cascades down from Mount Tado. Legend has it that the water had rejuvenating properties with the Empress Gensho (A.D. 683-748) having visited and likening the taste to that of sake. A cider, Yoro Sanroku, is produced here. Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke (Kohei), 1853-56, this being 1853. Numerous states exist of this design with colour variations and differences in gradation. Primarily the colouring of the fall changes: Some impressions have the waterfall completely blue, which obscures the blind-printing, while others, as here, have edge gradation only.
Very good impression with blind-printing on the waterfall. Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Spring moon at the shore of Tsukudajima . One of a set of chu-tanzaku prints published by Shogendo, c. 1837. Tsukudajima was one of two islands at the mouth of the Sumida River. Originally a sanbar, it was reclaimed with earth and rocks and given its name by the first Tokugawa Shogun, Ieyasu, who invited thirty-three fishermen to live there in 1613 in order to provide fish for the rapidly expanding city of Edo. The fishermen came from Tsukudama near Osaka and it was they who became the proprietors of what would become the Tsukiji fish market. It must have been popular during the late Edo period as a place to visit and view the boats from teahouses on the shore because there are many prints depicting the area, especially under a full moon.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. n.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Station Ishiyakushi 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. An evening scene in late autumn showing the village with the Ishiyakushi-ji (temple) on the left. This housed a stone image of Yakushi Nyurai, the Buddha of medicine. Pilgrims came in the hope of being healed, but they seldom stayed preferring to move on to Shono, the next station, which was only 3 km away. Because of the sets 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. Beautiful blue bokashi on the distant Suzuka Mountains: Late impressions often have crude wiping of this block. Fine colur and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Nihonbashi no hakuu, “Light Rain on Nihon Bridge.” From a Toto meisho set of 21 designs published between c. 1832 and 1839 by Kikakudo. The set was subsequently enlarged. 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 very difficult to find in early impression: The title cartouche had a plug inserted beside the bottom three characters of the title on the left. 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 hardly visible (as here). Also, the publisher’s seal at the bottom right should be in red, later editions having it in black. There was also an early variant edition with a yellow sky.
Fine impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold, also near the right edge, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Station Fukushima 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). Fukushima was one of the four most important checkpoints in the country and travellers had to have their documents inspected and approved before they could continue.
Superb impression. Very fine colour. Fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
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
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
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
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Shoheibashi Seido Kandagawa, “Seido Shrine and Kanda River seen from Shohei Bridge” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Summer rain over the Kanda River with the Confucian temple on the hill to the right which was founded in the 17th century. The set was published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1858, this being 1857. There are many late editions of this set. Unidentified collector’s seal au verso. This is the rare first edition.
Fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Slight toning and two pinholes in left margin, otherwise fine condition. Full margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Fujikawa sanchu no sato kyumei Miyakoyama Fujikawa, “Fujikawa: Mountain Village, Formerly called Mount Miyako” from Gojusan tsugi meisho zue, “Famous Places on the Fifty-three Stations.” The so-called “Upright Tokaido.” Shows travellers in heavy snow entering Fujikawa village down a steep slope. Published by Kichizo (Koeido Tsutaya), 1855. There are many late editions of this set with the skies on the two snow scenes printed black. A fine snow design.
Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition. Full margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Numazu Ashigarayama Fuji no yukibare, “Numazu: Mount Fuji and Mount Ashigara after Snow” from Gojusan tsugi meisho zue, “Famous Places on the Fifty-three Stations.” The so-called “Upright Tokaido.” Shows two travellers crossing a trestle bridge over the Kise River before entering Numazu village seen on the left. Mount Fuji in the distance. Published by Kichizo (Koeido Tsutaya), 1855. There are many late editions of this set with the skies on the two snow scenes printed black. A fine snow design.
Fine, early impression. Fine colour. Small thinned area bottom left margin and one pinhole, otherwise fine condition. Full margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Station Hara 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. A huge Mount Fuji towers over the landscape emphasized by the diminutive travellers in the foreground.
Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
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
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
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
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
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
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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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: Sold
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
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
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
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size.
Very fine early impression. Fine colour. Minimal soil bottom right margin. Large margins. Fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.