Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

Onden no suisha, “Waterwheel at Onden” from the set Fugaku sanju-rokkei, the “Thirty-Six Views of Fuji.” The series published by Eijudo between 1829-33 and extended to forty six prints. These extra designs have a black outline, whereas the first thirty six have blue outlines in the early editions and then black. Shows the mill with men carrying bags of rice to be milled. A woman washes vegetables, another carries a tub and a small child drags a terrapin. Onden was on the Shibuya river, between Harajuko and Aoyama. (The river now hidden from view under the concrete sprawl of Tokyo.) Evidently waterwheels dotted the area powered by the Shibuya river.

Fine impression and colour. (Collectors are often unaware that designs from this set are faded: The yellow part of the green fades, leaving blue. And because there are designs that are only printed in blue or are blue in the early states, they accept them as unfaded.) Trimmed left and top and slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Zen Hokusai I-itsu hitsu.

Status: Sold