Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)




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An original painting, sumi and light blue on silk, 13 x 22 in; 33 x 55.9 cms. Shows a carp swimming amongst weeds. Gakutei is best known for his fine surimono (and in fact designed a surimono of this subject). Painted in Bunsei era (1818-1830). In fine condition apart from a minimal crease. Recently remounted.

 

 

Signed Gogaku with seals Yashima and Sadaoka. A beautiful painting.

 

 

Status: Sold

 

 




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    Yashima GAKUTEI (1786?-1868)



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    Osaka Ajigawa niiyama fukei, “View of the Aji River and the New Mountain in Osaka” from a set of six prints Naniwa meisho Tenpozan hajimari no zu, “Fine Views of Mount Tenpo at a Glance.” The mountain (more a hill) and park was created by dredging the Aji River. Shows a sailboat approaching the mouth of the river, Tenpozan to the right. In the distance can be seen Osaka Castle and to the right the Shitennoji pagoda. Published by Shioya Kisuke, c.1834.

     

    Fine impression and colour. Slight vertical fold as per usual as the set was published in album form. Fine condition. Signed Gakutei.

     

    Status: Sold

     

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      Yashima GAKUTEI (1786 ?-1868)



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      A saling junk caught in stormy seas, driving rain, and under a threatening sky. The masterpiece from a set of six prints issued in album form with title Naniwa meisho, Tempozan shokei ichiran, “A Famous Place in Osaka, Selected Views of Mount Tempo.” Published in Osaka , 1834, by Shioya Kisuke. In the circular cartouche: Osaka Tempozan yudachi no kei, “View of a Storm at Tempozan, Osaka.” Gakutei is best known for his many surimono. He was also a kyoka poet and painter. Unfortunately, he only produced a few landscapes. Other impressions illustrated in Michener, Japanese Prints, no. 198; Mellor sale catalogue, Sotheby, July 1963, pl. XXXI; Grabhorn, Landscape Prints of Old Japan, pl. 30.SC1/344. One of the great 19th century landscapes.

       

       

      Fine impression and colour. Slight centre fold (as usual as it was published in folding album form), otherwise very good condition. Signed Gogaku with seal Go.

       

       

      Status: Sold

       

       

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        Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)


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        A surimono showing plum blossom and fugu (blowfish or puffer, Fugu pardalis). These fish are infamous for being poisonous, mainly from their liver and are expensive delicacies in the winter. Extremely rare: Two other genuine impressions are in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, acc. no. 21.9297 and illustrated in Coloured in the Year’s New Light, Japanese surimono from the Becker collection, Daniel McKee, 2008, Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University, no. 15. There are also copies of this surimono which is how one will come across it. Poems above by Mahmansai Iedaru and Kanayaen Mahiro. Published c. late 1810s. Gakutei is best known for his surimono but he was also an accomplished painter and produced a fine set of landscape prints of views of Tempozan.

         

        Fine impression and colour. One small repaired wormhole, otherwise very good condition. Signed Gakutei Harunobu.

         

        Status: Sold

         

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          Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)



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          A surimono showing two dancers performing the Sparrow dance, Suzume odori. From a set of six prints forming a hexaptych (this being the top left sheet) for the Katsushika Poetry Club, Katsushika rokubantsuzuki, c 1827-8. The vertical gold bands suggest a birdcage.Illustrated in Surimono, in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Matthi Forrer, 2013, no. 455.

           

          Fine impression and colour. Minor soil, otherwise good condition.

           

          Status: Sold

           

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            Yashima GAKUTEI (1786?-1868)



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            A sailing junk caught in stormy seas, driving rain, and under a threatening sky. The masterpiece from a set of six prints issued in album form with title Naniwa meisho, Tempozan shokei ichiran, “A Famous Place in Osaka, Selected Views of Mount Tempo.” Published in Osaka, 1834, by Shioya Kisuke. In the circular cartouche: Osaka Tempozan yudachi no kei, “View of a Storm at Tempozan, Osaka.”Gakutei is best known for his many surimono. He was also a kyoka poet and painter. Unfortunately he produced few landscapes. Other impressions illustrated in Michener, Japanese Prints, no. 198; Mellor sale catalogue, Sotheby, July 1963, pl. XXXI; and Grabhorn, Landscape Prints of Old Japan, pl. 30. SC I/344. One of the great 19th century landscapes.

             

             

            Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight trimming at bottom and backed centre fold (as usual as it was published in folding album form), otherwise good condition. Signed Gogaku with seal Go.

             

             

            Status: Sold

             

             

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              Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)


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              A surimono from a fine set of eight prints: Ichiyoren bunbo shiyu, “Four Companions of the Writing Studio for the Ichiyo Circle.” Issued c 1827 for the Ichiyoren poetry club. The set alternates Chinese and Japanese subjects with the literati tradition of brush, ink, inkstone and paper. In this case: Sumo Komachi, “Ink and Komachi.” Ono no Komachi being the famous mid-ninth century poet and it shows her washing a poetry anthology which included a poem plagiarized by another poet who accused her of stealing it. The ink ran proving her innocence. Poems by Karakutei Kobun and Karindo.

               

              Very fine impression with blind-printing, gold and silver. Fine colour. Slight crease, otherwise fine condition. Signed Gakutei.

               

              Status: Sold

               

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                Yashima GAKUTEI (1786 [?]-1868)




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                An uncut vertical surimono diptych showing two young women in court finery from the Heian period (794-1185). This being considered the finest and most cultured period in Japanese history. One stands on a balcony, the other on steps leading to the balcony overlooking a flowering cherry tree. Extremely rare: The separated design is in the MET, JP2062 and JP2061as well as them having an uncut example, JP1101. These vertical diptych designs were printed on a single sheet of hosho from a single block but with a horizontal crease between what would be the two separate surimono of conventional size. There are also two vertical diptych designs known which form a four surimono picture but these are even rarer.

                 

                 

                Extremely fine impression, colour and condition. Extensive silver and blind-printing. Signed Gakutei Sadaoka hitsu and Gakutei Sadaoka.

                 

                 

                Status: Sold

                 

                 

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                  Yashima GAKUTEI (1786 ?-1868)




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                  Best known for his surimono although he produced fine paintings, some good landscapes and was also known as a poet. A surimono, one of a set of two on the martial arts of Japan and China, this obviously being Japan: Wakan butoku no uchi. Shows a helmet with a demon’s head and a red-lacquered baton with leather strips. These are usually the accoutrements of the famous general Kato Kiyomasa (1562-1611). Two poems by Shusetsutei Kuranushi and Shuchodo Monoyana. Issued c. 1820. Three collector’s seals au verso including Kunsthalle Bremen. Rare.

                   

                   

                  Very fine impression and colour with extensive gold, silver and bronze. Light edge tape on back, otherwise very good condition. Signed Gakutei.

                   

                   

                  Status: Sold

                   

                   

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                    Yashima GAKUTEI (1786 ?-1868)




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                    Best known for his surimono although he produced fine paintings, some good landscapes and was also known as a poet. A surimono showing a young mother making a temari ball. This form of folk art arrived from China in the 7th c. The balls were given to children on New Year’s day. Their production evolved and became more intricate with time, some having bells or rice placed in them so they became audible or had a mother’s wish secreted inside. A beautiful and extremely rare surimono: At the moment I cannot locate another impression.

                     

                     

                    Very fine impression. Fine colour. Slight vertical crease strengthened au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed Gakutei.

                     

                     

                    Status: Sold

                     

                     

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                      Yashima GAKUTEI (active 1815-1852)



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                      A surimono showing a Chinese lady threading a needle on a balcony. First issued in Osaka for the Drum Group, c 1824. This is the excessively rare first edition with the blue sky and clouds; verses by two Osaka poets, and the coloured thread is connected to the spool on the floor. Another genuine impression is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number JP2090. In the second state the verses are replaced by Edo poets. In the third state the blue sky is replaced with a gold ground and there is a hand-stamped title. There are clever copies of this surimono produced in the 1890s. This is possibly the only other genuine impression of the first edition extant.

                       

                      Fine impression and colour with areas of gold. Fine condition. Signed Gakutei Sadaoka hitsu. Ex Hayashi collection, seal bottom right.

                       

                      Status: Sold

                       

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                        Yashima GAKUTEI (1786?-1868)



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                        A surimono, Komatsu Shigemori, from the Heike Monogatari. One of a set with series title: Honchoren honcho nijushiko, “Twenty-four Japanese Paragons of Filial Piety for the Honcho Circle.” Issued by the Honchoren poetry club, c. 1821. Shows Taira no Kiyomori (1118-81) seated in an alcove being admonished by his son Shigemori (1138-79) for not being as loyal to the emperor as he had been. Kiyomori was a famous military leader and head of the Taira Clan. Poem by Kanenoya Arikado.

                         

                        Fine impression, colour and condition with silver and gold. Signed Gakutei with Sadaoka seal.

                         

                        Status: Sold

                         

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                          Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)



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                          A surimono, Ni, Yukiwake no Wakanaya uchi Koromode, “Number Two: The Snow Clothes of Koromode of the Wakanaya” from the pentaptych entitled Hisakataya Nakanocho, “The Nakanocho for the Hisakataya Poetry Club.” Issued c. 1827. Shows the oiran Koromode of the Wakanaya parading with her Shinzo and another courtesan down the Nakanocho, the main street of the Yoshiwara. Two poems by Suihotei Komatsu and Hisakataya.

                           

                          Fine impression, colour and condition with extensive gold and silver. Signed Gakutei Sadaoka.

                           

                          Status: Sold

                           

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                            Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)



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                            A surimono showing Li Kui (Jap: Ri Ki), one of the brigands from the One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Water Margin (the Suikoden). He was nicknamed the “Black Whirlwind” and is usually shown wielding two giant axes (as here). From a set Suiko Juban, “Ten Characters from the Water Margin.” Probably for the Kadonumaren Poetry Club c. late 1820s. Another two designs from the set are in the Harvard Art Museums, 1933.4.2003 and the Asian Art Museum, S.F., 2010.193. Rare: I cannot locate another impression at the moment.

                             

                            Fine impression and colour. Slight soil and possibly slightly trimmed, otherwise very good condition. Extensive silver. Signed Gakutei Harunobu.

                             

                            Status: Sold

                             

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                              Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)


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                              A surimono – one of a series that Gakutei designed in the curved shape of a folding fan. Shows a seated poet before Mt. Fuji holding a fan and dressed in courtly robes with a New Year pattern of pine trees and an eboshi cap. Two others from the set are illustrated in The Art of Surimono, Roger Keyes, Sothebys, 1985, pl. 47, p. 89; and Sammeln Magazin, Nr. 6, Juni 1985, p.15. Issued c. 1821. Provenance: Ex Toni Strauss Negbaur collection, seal au verso.

                               

                              Fine impression with Mount Fuji blind-printed. Very good colour and condition. Signed Gakutei.

                               

                              Status: Sold

                               

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                                Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868)




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                                A surimono with title Kiyomihara no Oji, “The Kiyomihara Prince” from a set based on the Uji Shui Monogatari, “Tales Gleaned from the Uji Councillor,” this being Minamoto no Takakuni (1004-77). This episode from chapter 15 relates how the succession to the Emperor Tenji, who had died, is disputed between Prince Oama (the former emperor’s younger brother) and Prince Otomo (the former emperor’s son by a low-ranking woman). Oama, fearing an attack, escapes. Coming to the Sunomata Crossing in Mino Province he is unable to cross the river. A local woman tells him all boats have been confiscated by Prince Otomo. To escape detection she agrees to hide him under a bucket. Evading arrest he asks her to recruit an army of local men, which she does and they go on to defeat Prince Otomo. The woman was said to be the god of Fuwa. Rare.

                                 

                                 

                                Fine impression. Very good colour and condition with silver, gold and blind-printing. Signed Gakutei.

                                 

                                 

                                Status: Sold

                                 

                                 

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                                  Yashima GAKUTEI (1786-1868) and Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)



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                                  Two vols. kyoka books complete: Ressen retsujo gazoshu, a “Collection of the Portraits of Immortal Men and Women.” Twenty eight portraits of Chinese hermits and twenty one portraits of celebrated women in Japanese history. Being a selection of kyoka presented at the meetimg held at Kawachiya of Yanagibashi Ryogoku in Edo, 1st day of the 9th month, Bunsei 7 ( 1824 ). Published by Shinsenyen. Rare.

                                  Original covers and title slips. Minor marks to covers, otherwise very good condition.

                                  Status: Sold




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                                    Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1786-1864 )



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                                    A surimono showing the Chinese warrior Huang Zhong ( Jap: Ko Chu, d. 220 AD ). Best known for his role in the novel Tale of the Three Kingdoms. He is shown wearing tiger skin breeches and armed with a large sword, bow and arrows. From a set Go koshogun, “The Five Tiger Generals.” Title on right Sono yon Ko Chu, “Nr 4 Huang Zhong. “ Issued by the Asakusagawa Poetry Club ( seal top left ) for the Tiger year 1818. Two poems by Shinsokutei Kashimaru ( right ) and Hogetsudo Yukitake ( left ).

                                    Fine impression. Very good colour with extensive gold and silver. Very good condition. Signed Gakutei Harunobu.

                                    Status: Sold

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                                      Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1786-1864 )



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                                      A surimono showing the Chinese warrior Ma Chao ( Jap: Ba Cho, 176-222 AD ). Best known for his role in the novel Tale of the Three Kingdoms. He is shown leaning on a giant axe. From a set Go koshogun, “The Five Tiger Generals.” Title on right Sono go Ba Cho, “Nr 5 Ma Chao. “ Issued by the Asakusagawa Poetry Club ( seal top left ) for the Tiger year 1818. Two poems by Ki no Yoshito ( right ) and Sengetsudo ( left ).

                                      Fine impression. Very good colour with extensive gold and silver. Very good condition. Signed Gakutei Harunobu.

                                      Status: Sold

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                                        Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1780-c 1869 )



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                                        A surimono showing the nine-tailed fox ( Tamamo-no-mae ) and the warrior Miuranosuke who was a palace guard in the court of Emperor Konoe ( 1139-1155 ). Issued c 1826 for a sub-group of the Biwa-ren poetry circle ( emblem top right ) headed by Benbenkan. Poems by Bentandai Gihoshi, Bendendai Kazumasu , Bensusha Masago, Bensusha Mazukage Masago, Andaro Horikawa Soroku and Kofukutei Okada Minoru. Legend tells that the Emperor’s adversary – an evil fox – disguised itself into a beauty who captivated the Emperor. She was eventually revealed and killed by Miuranosuke with an arrow from his bow.

                                        Extremely fine impression with embossing and metallic pigments. Very fine colour and condition. Signed Gakutei with seal Shugyokudo.

                                        Status: Sold

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                                          Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1790-1869 )



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                                          A rare chuban yoko-e surimono from a series Kinki shoga or the Four Accomplishments. These pursuits were popular amongst Chinese and Japanese literati: Playing a musical instrument; playing go; calligraphy, and ( as here ) painting. The composition shows a Heian courtier and two court ladies admiring a painting. A poem by Mado no Muratake ( whose pupils probably commissioned this set ) gives his age as 74, and since he died in 1824 at 82, the surimono must have been issued in 1816.

                                          Fine impression and colour. Minimal edge soil, otherwise fine condition. Signed Gakutei Harunobu.

                                          Status: Sold

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                                            Yashima GAKUTEI (Fl. c 1786-1868)



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                                            One volume complete: Ichiro gafu, “Ichiro’s [ Gakutei’s ] Picture album.” The prints were first issued in a private two volume publication with kyoka poems ( c 1820 ). Published by Gasendo, Edo, 1823.

                                            Original dark brown covers with burnished pattern. Original blue title slip. A nice early copy. This popular book was reprinted many times.

                                            Status: Sold




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