Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

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Chidori, “plovers” flying against a full moon over breaking waves. This chu-tanzaku is one of Hiroshige’s best known kacho-e, and seems to have been highly regarded at the time as there are at least three other variants: One version, also published by Sanoki, is illustrated in Japanese Prints, James A Michener, Charles E Tuttle & Co, 1959, no. 226 ( with another impression in Tamba, The Art of Hiroshige, no. 411 ); another, without publisher, is illustrated in Sotheby’s sale catalogue 25/1/1978, lot 117; and a third, also without publisher and lacking moon, is illustrated in Hiroshige, Birds and Flowers, George Braziller, 1988, no. 32. It’s quite possible that the latter two are, in fact, contemporary copies. ( A problem that seems to have existed from Masanobu through to Yoshitoshi. )

Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

Status: Sold