Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

A summer night on the Sumida river, Edo, illustrating a poem by the 9th – 10th century poet Kiyowara no Fukayabu. From the set: Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki. “The Hundred Poems by a Hundred Poets Explained by a Nurse. Twenty seven published designs are known for this set with another sixty two preparatory drawings extant. The set was curtailed probably due to the adverse economic climate at the time. It was started by the publisher Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudo) who published five, c 1835-6, and then taken over by Iseya Sanjiro (another Eijudo) who published the other twenty two. This design might be the first of the Iseya Sanjiro prints as it has the word shimpan on the lanterns meaning “new.” Shows a large boat, left. Probably a floating restaurant with another smaller vessel in the centre purveying food.

Fine impression. Slight fading of the red block. Fine condition. Signed Zen Hokusai manji.

Status: Sold