Posts by Richard Kruml:
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Shows the warrior Zhang Fei (Jap. Yokutoku) awaiting his rival Cao Cao on Changban bridge. Fei tricks his enemy into thinking he leads a vast army by dragging logs from a nearby forest causing a huge dust cloud. Cao Cao retreats. The story is from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (Chi. Sanguo yanyi). From the set Ikkai zuihitsu, “Essays by Yoshitoshi.” (Ikkai was an early name of Yoshitoshi’s.) A set of thirteen prints published by Masadaya Heikichi 1872/3. A fine set.
Extremely fine impression and colour from the first edition. Fine burnishing on the horse. Most designs from the set have red seals in the margin and red seals over the signature. These were removed on later editions. Margins trimmed a little, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows Tobosaku (who stole the Peaches of Immortality), Miura Daisuke Yoshiaki (Lord of Kinugasa castle), and the son of Urashima Taro (who saved the sea turtle and was carried to the Dragon King’s Palace) drinking wine. From the set Ikkai zuihitsu, “Essays by Yoshitoshi.” (Ikkai was an early […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the bloodied western army commander, Shima Sakon, having severed the head of Sato Daihachi, which flies through the air at Horagatoge Pass. Sakon lead an army of his Lord Ishida Mitsunari against the future Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu at the battle of Sekigahara in 1600. From the set […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Cao Cao (Jap. Shuso) and Pang De (Jap. Hotoku) in the Han river during the battle with Guan Yu. From a set of Chinese warrior prints: Tsuzoku sangokushi eiyu no ichinin, “Heroes of the Popular History of the Three Kingdoms.” Published by Joshuya Kinzo, c. 1836. Robinson S10.8 […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A fine chuban design showing Keyamura Rokusuke (aka Kida Magobee Muneharu), a famous farmer turned samurai and sumo wrestler of incredible strength, doing penance for seven days under the waterfall at Hikosan Gongen praying for his mother. Two Tengu watch from above. Waterfalls were one of the go-to-places […]
Utagawa Toyokuni II (1777-1835)
Click here to view image full size. An aizuri-e (blue print) showing the courtesan Utagawa of Tamaya admiring a bowl of carnations. From a set Bijin awase published by Shimizu, c. late 1820s. These blue prints using the imported bero, Berlin blue (what we called Prussian blue), became popular during the 1820s to 1840s as […]
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
Click here to view image full size. An amorous couple from an unsigned abuna-e (from abunai, risqué) set of twelve prints Keisai higo, “Secret Words of a Courtesan” published c. 1822-25. Although coming under the heading of shunga, each print is without any graphic details. She adjusts his hair with her hairpin while he smokes […]
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
Click here to view image full size. A beauty standing beside a stream where wild chrysanthemums grow. A mitate-e (parody) of Kikujido, the Chrysanthemum Boy, who was the favourite of the Chinese Emperor Mu (c. 950 B.C.). However, because of court jealousy, he was banished but had his exile eased by the Emperor who gifted […]
Kikugawa EIZAN (1787-1867)
Click here to view image full size. The geisha Hinaogi of the Daikokuya preparing to play the koto. She is adjusting the tsume (plectra) on her fingers that were used to pluck the strings. The title is enigmatic: It reads Ka getsu kai, “Harbinger of Moon and Flower” and if the character for “moon” is […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. Hokusai’s interpretation of a poem by Onakatomi no Yoshinobu Ason (921-991). From an unfinished set: Hyakunin isshu uba ga etoki, “Pictures of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets Explained by the Nurse.” The poems are from an anthology Hyakunin isshu, “One Hundred People, One Poem Each” compiled […]
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
Click here to view image full size. A sheet of original studies, sumi on thin paper, 10.5 x 15 in; 26.6 x 38 cms. Of particular interest and importance is the self-portrait in the upper right, This is another version of the famous self-portrait at the age of 83 (1842) sent to his publisher. Illustrated […]
Ryuryukyo SHINSAI (1764-1820)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, sumi and light colour on silk, 32 x 11 in; 81.3 x 28 csms. Shows three classes in Japanese society: Farmer’s wife, Priest and a Samurai, forced to shelter together at the entrance to a Shinto shrine from a sudden downpour of rain. Above, a […]
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Fuchu from The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido published by Marusei, Maruya Seijiro, 1847-52. Called the Reisho Tokaido because of the angular style of Kanji used. Travellers coming and going at the entrance to the station. One of the best designs from the set. Provenance: Ex Hayashi collection […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Horikiri no hana shobu, “Iris Garden at Horikiri” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Published by Uoya Eikichi, 1856-58 (this being 1857). Horikiri village on the Arakawa River, north of Edo, was famous for growing irises, chrysanthemums, morning glory and azaleas for the Edo market. […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Harima Tatsuyama, “Mount Tatsu [Dragon] in Harima [Province]” from a set of twenty prints Sankai mitate zumo, “Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Sea.” A fanciful and imaginative title lacking in other Hiroshige sets. Comprises of ten prints of mountains and ten prints of harbours. A fine snow scene. […]
Hishikawa MOROSHIGE (Fl. 1684-1704)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, sumi and full colour on paper, 24 x 12 in; 61 x 30.5 cms. Shows a beautiful youth (a wakashu) dressed as a girl with his attendant servant. These youths (identified as male by wearing a sword) were arbiters of trend-setting kimono design. They are […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII as Arajishi Otokonosuke from a set Mitate sanjurokkasen no uchi, “An Imaginary Thirty-six Poets.” A famous early compilation; in this case the image is inspired by a poem of Mibu no Tadamine. Otokonosuke is usually depicted about to strike his adversary Nikki Danjo […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Segawa Kikunojo III as the Spirit of the Komachi Cherry Tree from a set Mitate sanjurokkasen no uchi, “An Imaginary Thirty-six Poets.” A famous early compilation; in this case the image is inspired by a poem of Fujiwara no Motozane. The spirit is the courtesan Kurozome […]
Toba HIROMARU (Active 1804-1818)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting showing a parading courtesan. Sumi and colour on paper, 45.5 x 11.25 in; 115.5 x 28.5 cms. A rare artist of the Utagawa school. Probably a pupil of Utagawa Toyohiro. His extant paintings show a considerable talent with particularly attenuated faces. Another example is in […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size. A large original painting, full colour on silk, image size 48 x 21.75 in; 122 x 55.25 cms. A draughtsman of great dexterity with a wild, often bizzare , imagination. Loved sake, sometimes painting under its influence. At an early stage studied under Kuniyoshi, then Maemura Towa and […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. A diptych showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX as Kamakura Gongoro Kagemasa in the drama Shibaraku, “Just a moment.” The large sansho (three square) motif was the symbol of the Danjuro clan and is repeated around the border. In the background are peonies, also associated with the Danjuro […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An o-tanzaku print, Yugao chapter from the fifty-four chapters of Genji, the Genji Monogatari. A tenth century romance written by Murasaki Shikibu. From a set Buyu nazoraye Genji, “Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji.” In this case showing Benkei creeping up on Ushiwaka on Gojo Bridge in […]
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych Taira Kiyomori hi no yamai no zu, “The Fever of Taira no Kiyomori.” Kiyomori’s wife, Niidono, dreams that the King of Hell, Ema, is coming for Kiyomori for his crime of burning the Rushana Buddha. His family gather around him and pray but to no avail. […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Ichikawa Kodanji IV as the ghost of Asakura Togo in the play Higashiyama Sakura zoshi, “The Story of Sakura of Higashiyama.” Based on historical events in 1653 with the characters’ names changed (Asakura Togo was actually Sakura Sogoro). The story tells of a village chief who was forced […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, full colour on silk, 37 x 14 in; 94 x 35.5 cms. The pupil of Hiroshige I who gave him the name Shigenobu. Adopted by Hiroshige in 1845 and married his daughter, Otatsu, on Hiroshige’s death. (Later divorcing her around 1865.) Shows a beauty cooling […]
Yamamoto FUJINOBU (Active 1750-1770)
Click here to view image full size. An original painting, full colour on paper, image size 32.25 x 7 in; 82 x 18 cms. Shows a parading courtesan with her kamuro. A painter and print artist whose prints were always published by Yamamoto Fusanobu giving rise to the theory that Fujinobu was a pseudonym of […]
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
Click here to view image full size. A fine original Kyosai painting, full colour on silk, 47.5 x 16.5 in; 121 x 42 cms. Shows Emma, the King of Hell, walking with and holding an umbrella above a courtesan while a ghoulish oni looks on wearing a costume of gunnera leaves. Emma-O is the Japanese […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. 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 […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)
Click here to view image full size. Morozumi Masakiyo, Lord of Bungo, and retainer of the Takeda being blown up by a cannonball or landmine whilst committing suicide with his sword. The best design from a set Koetsu yusho den, “Biographies of Brave Generals from the Provinces of Kai and Echigo.” The series shows heroic […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. Shinano, Sarashina tagoto no tsuki, Kyodaisan, “Shinano [Province], the Moon Reflected in the Sarashina Paddy-fields, Mount Kyodai.” This was a popular destination for outings to view the multiple reflections. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
Click here to view image full size. A view of a smoking Mt Asama, Shinano Province, from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” Mt Asama is an active volcano which violently erupted in 1108. Subsequently there was another eruption in 1783 and since then there have been minor […]
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
Click here to view image full size. The actor Nakamura Shikan IV as Ishikawa Hachizaemon in the play Chuko musashi no abumi staged at the Nakamura-za Theatre in 4/1869. From a set of at least 22 prints published by Gusokuya Kahei, 1869. Kunichika was a hack artist who nevertheless produced some fine triptychs (horizontal and […]
Shunbaisai HOKUEI (Active 1824-1837)
Click here to view image full size. Shows the actor Arashi Rikan II as the yako Koman holding a shakuhachi and posed within a wooden frame in the play Sugata kurabe deiri no minato, “Comparison of Fighting Figures at the Harbour.” Performed in 1834 at the Naka Theatre, Osaka. A yako was a chivalrous servant, […]
Kitagawa UTAMARO II (Fl. c 1807-1830s)
Click here to view image full size. A courtesan and her Shinzo from a set Edo murasaki edoru hinagata, “Models Designed in the Purple of Edo.” A bluish purple as opposed to the more reddish purple from Kyoto. A pigment that had been extremely expensive and reserved for the elite few, but became cheaper and […]
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
Click here to view image full size. A courtesan biting on a tissue about to write a love letter from the set Ukiyoe jinsei tengankyo, “Types of the Floating World Seen Through a Physiognomist’s Glass.” The glass top right. These professionals who purported to look at people’s features and give counsel based on their countenance […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. An original drawing, sumi on thin paper laid onto Japanese paper, 6.5 x 9.25 in; 15.9 x 23.5 cms. A heavily muscled individual (Benkei ?) dispatching two adversaries. Sold “as is” with all imperfections common to surviving drawings. Two areas of pentimenti. Status: Available
Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)
Click here to view image full size. An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a triptych showing, from the left, Nakamura Kamenojo I as the geisha Azuma standing above Kawarasaki Gonjuro I as Yamazakiya Yogoro, Bando Kamezo I as Settanaoshi Chogoro standing above Onoe Kikugoro IV as Kumasaka Ocho, and Onoe Kikugoro IV as Akogi Gennojo […]
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Click here to view image full size. A fine large original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 12 x 18.5 in; 30.4 x 47 cms. Shows battling women holding what appear to be wooden swords. Two seals at the bottom which appear to be the publisher Honmo who published 1855-56. Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Julius Kurth […]
Utagawa YOSHITORA (1836-1887)
Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing the warrior Inukai Genpachi (the famous character from the Hakkenden) confronting a cat monster which has emanated from a horse on Mount Koshin. Other cat monsters stare in amazement. Published by Kojimaya Jubei, 1850. Very fine impression. Fine colour. Imperceptible small binding holes, […]
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
Click here to view image full size. 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, […]