/category/archive/page/23/
Totoya HOKKEI (1780-1850)
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A fisherman with a scoop and net seemingly trying to catch the moon’s reflection. One of an excessively rare chuban series with title Toshi gafu no uchi, “Drawing Album for Chinese Poems” printed in red, and sub-title Toshin denshi. Printed in tones of blue except for a light flush on the horizon. Another impression ( trimmed ) was in the Vever collection ( ex Hayashi ), Sotheby’s, Part III, lot 295. Other impressions ( damaged ) are in the BM, ref: 1937, 0710,0,230 and Honolulu Museum of Art, ref: 14463. Hokkei was one of Hokusai’s best pupils and designed many fine surimono.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hokkei.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Daimotsu-no-ura o-kassen. A triptych showing the battle of Dan-no-ura. The clash between the Minamoto (Genji) clans and the Heike (Taira) clans happened in 24/3/1185 when the Taira were defeated by Yoshitsune. He is shown here on the left making his leap pursued by Noritsune. The Imperial barge is in the background. Published by Moriya Jihei, 1856. Robinson T337.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHIHIDE (1832-1902)
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A painting in full colour on silk, 33.75 x 14.4 in; 85.6 x 36.6 cms. Shows a beauty after a bath looking down at her mirror. Yoshihide was a pupil of Kuniyoshi. In extremely good condition. Signed and sealed Sesso. Inscription guarantee on inside of box: “Late February in the 56th Year of the Showa era (1981).” Appraised, signed and sealed by Mr Tosuke Kimura.
Status: Sold
Yanagawa SHIGENOBU (1787-1832)
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A European couple in flagrante from a set Yanagi no arashi, “Storm of Willows” published c 1832. This highly unusual shunga print with chiaroscuro modelling is obviously based on imported woodcuts and engravings from Europe. There also exist several other shunga prints showing Dutchmen. See Shunga sex and pleasure in Japanese art, Timothy Clark et al, BM, 2013, no 120, p. 402.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Mica applied to the vulva. The set is unsigned but generally accepted as being by Shigenobu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka SETTEI (1710-1786)
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An interesting large painting, full colour on paper mounted on a wooden frame, 25.5 in; 62cms in diameter showing a bust portrait of a beauty with elaborate coiffure hanging paper acrobats. Although not signed, the attribution is unquestionable, painted between 1767-1773 in Osaka. It appears to have been commissioned to hang in a hairdresser’s or cosmetic shop and has metal eyes at the top. The oxidised silver leaf background was meant to resemble a mirror and the idea of busts reflected in mirrors and silver grounds was later employed by Utamaro and Sharaku. Besides silver, gum and raised painting is applied. Such signboards appear in an illustrated book by Hasegawa Mitsunobu published in Osaka in 1752. This new discovery has been written about by Dr. Yamamoto Yukari in vol.27 of Minzoku Geijutsu (Ethno-Arts) in 2011. Minor surface marks all over but astonishingly good condition given their age and use. Extremely rare.
Status: Sold
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Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 21, 22, 23, and 24 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 9, 20, 18, and 19 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 14, 15, 16, and 17 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 10, 11, 12 and 13 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 5, 6, 7, and 8 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Terasawa MASATSUGU (active c 1760-1790)
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An original two-sided sumi block for printing pages 1, 2, 3, and 4 for the shunga book Aya no odamaki, “A Twist of Figured Cloth.” (See Sex and the Floating World, Timoin Screech, BM, 1999, p. 32-33.) The book was published in 1776. Also illustrated and described in Eiri Shunga Ehon Mokuroku, Tokyo 2007, p. 79. Extremely rare. Sold “as is” with imperfections (mostly wormage). See my blog.
Status: Sold
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
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A wonderful chuban shunga print showing a young suitor leaning across an engawa and interrupting a beauty playing a shamisen by partially lifting her robe. They are surrounded by flowering bushes and a meandering stream. A rare design I cannot, at the moment, locate being illustrated. Published c. late 1760s.
Very fine impression on thick hosho. Extremely fine colour. Slight oxidation, otherwise fine condition.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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A matron with lover. A shunga sheet from the extremely rare de-luxe edition of the Fukujuso, “The Adonis Plant.” The blocks were re-carved, the text deleted, a mica ground added, and sumptuous hand-colouring applied and was renamed Nami chidori, “Plovers Above the Waves.” This was a costly exercise and was obviously directed at a few wealthy clients. Hokusai’s best shunga set with large figures often completely filling the space. Published c 1820. Another example illustrated in Richard Lane, Hokusai, Life And Work, Barrie & Jenkins, 1989, no. 224, p. 168.
Fine impression. Wonderful fresh carefully hand-applied colour with mica ground. Album backing. Centre fold (as usual) and slight soil to corner. But otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Torii KIYONOBU I (1664-1729)
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A large sumi oban showing a couple in flagrante. These prints were normally issued in sets of twelve and would only have had the signature on the first sheet. Published c 1704-1711. Provenance: Ex Kiyoshi Shibui collection.
Very good impression. Slight edge soil and centre fold with small pin holes, but generally good condition considering the age.
Status: Sold
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
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A chuban shunga print showing the occupant of a kago in flagrante with one of the porters, having seized the opportunity of a stop on the journey. Published late 1760s. Rare.
Very fine impression on thick hosho: The outlines raised in certain areas. Fine colour and condition.
Status: Sold
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
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A couple in flagrante on an open engawa which has a large bowl of goldfish. There were many attempts by the Tokugawa Shogunate (1603-1868) to suppress shunga with edicts issued in 1661, 1722 and the 1790s. None of these were particularly effective and production usually resumed with most Ukiyo-e artists producing shunga prints, books or paintings. Published c. 1768. Unsigned as often with these shunga prints.
Superb impression. Fine, unfaded colour. Fine condition.
Status: Sold
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
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The Fourth Month, Shibumukute toshimano mumami jukushi kaki, “Well Aged and Ripe Persimmon” from a set of 12 shunga prints Someiro no yama, Neya no hinagata, “Mountains of Dyed Colours, Patterns for the Bedroom.” One of the finest shunga sets; of large size and beautifully hand coloured. Published c. 1740. Others from the set are illustrated in Tim Clark, Shunga: Sex and Pleasure in Japanese Art, BM, 2013, p. 147-151. Masanobu is one of the most important figures in Ukiyo-e being the proprietor of a shop but also a publisher, an illustrator of books, print publisher, painter, and inventor of the hashira-e and uki-e as well as being at the forefront of advancements in colour printing. Rare.
Very good impression, colour and condition.
Status: Sold
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
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The fifth month from a set of twelve prints Someiro no yama: Neya no hinagata, “Mountains of Dyed Colours: Patterns for the Bedroom.” A haiku poem relating to the time of year on each design. Published c. 1740. Shows a couple in flagrante in a room with sliding doors painted with images of Mount Fuji and the poet Ariwara no Narihira admiring the mountain. One of the great Shunga sets with fine contemporary hand-colouring: The careful colouring on impressions from this set was obviously carried out by skilled artisans and is exceptional with the sumi screens being almost painterly: Colouring is often later on early shunga prints, and even if contemporary can be slipshod. Masanobu was a great innovator, developing new formats and technical advances. Unidentified collector’s seal bottom left. Rare.
Very good impression. Slight weakening along laid lines, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
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A design from a set of twelve prints Someiro no yama: Neya no hinagata, “Mountains of Dyed Colours: Patterns for the Bedroom.” A haiku poem relating to the time of year on each design. Published c 1740. Shows a couple in flagrante in a room with a free-standing screen and a view outside of an engawa and garden with a stone water cistern. One of the great Shunga sets with fine contemporary hand-colouring: The careful colouring on impressions from this set was obviously carried out by skilled artisans and is exceptional with the sumi screen being almost painterly: Colouring is often later on early shunga prints, and even if contemporary can be slipshod. Masanobu was a great innovator, developing new formats and technical advances. Unidentified collector’s seal bottom right. A beautiful design. Rare.
Very good impression and condition.
Status: Sold
The KANBUN MASTER (Fl. c. 1660-1673)
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A large, 11.5 x 16.75 in; 29.25 x 42.5 cms, sumi print showing a courtesan with her client. These are the earliest known ukiyo-e prints with no known book, painting or print being signed. The nomenclature was given by Dr. Richard Lane because the artist worked almost entirely during the Kanbun Period (1661-1673). There is some debate as to whether all the books and prints are by the same hand, rather than by several or more individuals. However, Dr. Lane – who was the pre-eminent authority on shunga – saw a consistency in the style of drawing. Extremely rare.
Very good impression. Some slight soil, but in remarkably good condition given the date.
Status: Sold
Sugimura JIHEI (Acitive c. 1681-1703)
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A shunga print showing a samurai (his swords lying outside the screen) having sexual intercourse with a courtesan from a set of twelve such prints published mid 1680s. Jihei was the most impressive of Moronobu’s followers and seems to have specialised in shunga, often surpassing Moronobu. (Indeed, Jihei’s work was attributed to Moronobu for a long time.) Hand coloured, although probably not from the period but still with considerable age. Extremely rare.
Fine impression. Very good condition.
Status: Sold
Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)
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A chuban shunga print showing a fisherman taking advantage of a young girl on a boat on the Sumida River. The couple are hidden behind a four-armed scoop-net called a yotsude-ami which was used to catch whitebait in the spring. The British Museum copy (OA+,O.125) gives the location as most probably being at Mitsumata, between Eitai and Shin’o bridges, based on what looks like Lord Tayasu’s residence in the background. Another impression is illustrated in Shunga, Marco Fagioli, Octavo, 1997, no. 23, p.45. Published late 1760s. Rare.
Very good impression. Some slight fading, otherwise good condition.
Status: Sold
Hishikawa MORONOBU (c. 1618-1694)
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The father of Ukiyo-e and the first to design single-sheet prints. Illustrated numerous books and produced a considerable number of paintings. A good proportion of his output was in the form of shunga. The print here is, arguably, from his finest shunga album. A set of 12 prints, although it is known in two versions with two alternative designs making a total of 14 sheets. For one complete set see Shunga The Art Of Love In Japan, Tom and Mary Evans, Paddington Press, 1975, Illus. 5.10-5,21. Rare.
Very good impression. Original hand-colouring. Minor marks and signs of mounting au verso, but otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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One sheet from a shunga set of 12 prints Ehon tsuhi no hinagata, “Patterns of Loving Couples.” Published 1814. The series title is a play on words. Tsuhi can be read as “couple” or “male and female pairs” or it can be pronounced tsubi, an old term for vulva.
Very good impression and colour. Slight soil and the usual slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Okumura MASANOBU (1686-1764)
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Shogatsu, “First Month” from a shunga set Someiro no yama neya no hinagata, “Mountains of Dyed Colours, Examples for the Bedroom.” Shows a New Year scene with the master of an opulent household enjoying the holiday with his wife and a young man of his fancy. The poem alludes to the pleasures of both male-male and male-female sex. Published c 1740. Others from the set are illustrated in Tim Clark, Shunga:Sex and Pleasure in Japanese Art, BM, 2013, pp. 147-151. Masanobu is one of the most important figures in Ukiyo-e being the proprietor of a shop but also a publisher, an illustrator of books, print publisher, painter, and inventor of the hashira-e and uki-e as well as being at the forefront of advancements in colour printing. Rare.
Fine impression. Hand colouring, slightly faded. Minor backed wormage, but otherwise very good condition given the date.
Status: Sold
Attributed to Torii KIYONOBU II (Active 1710s – 1760)
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A sumizuri-e abuna-e sheet from a shunga set published c. late 1710s. MFA has 10 sheets from the set , RES.09.310.1 to .10. They are based on designs by his father, Torii Kiyonobu I.
Fine impression. Fine hand-colouring. Backed (from a scroll), some light soil and minor creasing, all appropriate with date.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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One sheet from a shunga set of 12 prints Ehon tsuhi no hinagata, “Patterns of Loving Couples.” Published 1814. The series title is a play on words. Tsuhi can be read as “couple” or “male and female pairs” or it can be pronounced tsubi, an old term for vulva.
Very good impression and colour. Slight soil and the usual slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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A pair of lovers from the set Keisei higo “The Secret Language of Courtesans.” This fine set of abuna-e (shunga prints that omit any explicit sex – quite literally “risky pictures”) was privately published c 1822-5. The pre-coital coupling is indicated by the wad of tissue slipped into her obi.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. This set employs brass into the printing which is often the cause of the paper degrading and falling out. (Not evident here.) Unsigned as always.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A complete set of six chuban prints (two-to-a-sheet) of Neko nezumi kassen, “The War of Cats and Mice.” Shows 1) Cats frightened by a toy dog. Below: A cat setting a mousetrap. 2) Cats tempted by a delicious smell. Below: Mice eating while a cat sleeps. 3) A cat with its head in a bag. Below: Mice attacked by cats. Of the utmost rarity: One other complete set in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (accession numbers 11.37779, 11.37780, 11.37781). An extremely early work published when Yoshitoshi was 20 and his first set. Published 1859 by Enshuya Hikobei. Provenance: Purchased from me in the early 1990s.
Superb impressions. Very fine colour. Album backing, otherwise fine condition. The best examples extant. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi gihitsu and Yoshitoshi giga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUN’EI (1762-1819)
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An hosoban portrait of the sumo wrestler Tanikaze Kajinosuke (1750-1795). Possibly the greatest sumo wrestler of all time. He made his debut in 1769 at the age of 19 and went on to record the longest run of 63 consecutive victories, a record that remained unbroken for 150 years. Officially recognised as the fourth yokuzuna and the first to be awarded the title in his lifetime. Published c. 1781. An uncommon subject in hosoban format. Rare.
Very good impression and colour. A small area of repaired wormage at the top, otherwise very good condition. Signed Shun’ei ga.
Status: Sold
Kitao SHIGEMASA (1739–1820)
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A chuban print showing three children. One ( centre ) playing a ko-tsuzumi; to the left a child playing a bamboo flute and on the right a small taiko being beaten. They wear aprons with images of a horse, monkey and cock. The Chinese zodiacal symbols. Possibly one of a set of four. Published c 1800. Ex collection Walter von Scheven, 1878 – 1950, and purchased by him at Altkunst, Berlin in 1929.
Superb impression: The outlines of the figures are heavily blind-printed. Very fine colour and condition. Unsigned.
Status: Sold
Shosai GINKO (FL. 1874-1897)
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A charming print showing a Japanese lady elegantly attired, western-style, standing beside a river with steamboats and foreign buildings in the background. She wears a full length coat, lace-trimmed, with colour-coordinated brolly, belt, cuffs and bow at the neck. On her head a stylish bonnet tied below the chin. From a set: Kokin meifu kagami, “A Mirror of Famous Women in Old and Modern Times.” This design shows Kosome, the daughter of Kuniya Sohei. During a boat trip around Japan in 1859 her vessel was hit by a storm and drifted until eventually arriving in Hawaii. Rescued by an American, she went on to study and become a teacher in America. The view behind her shown here obviously represents America.
Fine impression and colour with mica on the water. Light album backing and slight offsetting at top, otherwise good condition. Signed Shosai Ginko.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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Attempts by various means at making ghouls and demons fit into modern society from Kyosai rakuga, “Kyosai’s Drawings for Pleasure.” A satirical take on current events and mores. Published by Sawamuraya Seikichi in 1874. A set of 15 prints was planned but only 12 are known. This design is particularly rare.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Seisai Kyosai.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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A school for spooks from a set Kyosai rakuga, “Kyosai’s Drawings for Pleasure.” A satirical take on current events and mores. Published by Sawamuraya Seikichi in 1874. A set of 15 prints was planned but only 12 are known. In 1874 a new system of education was introduced in Japan – even for the world of ghouls. Shoki is seen teaching the demons basic hellish terms, and the chief of the kappa instructs the ghouls on the Roman alphabet.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Seisai Kyosai.
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Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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The enlightenment of Paradise or liberation of the dead from Hell from a set Kyosai rakuga, “Kyosai’s Drawings for Pleasure.” A satirical take on current events and mores. Published by Sawamuraya Seikichi in 1874. A set of 15 prints was planned but only 12 are known. The demons from Hell get new jobs as postmen, rikisha men etc.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Seisai Kyosai.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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The enlightenment of Fudo Myoo – a Buddhist deity who is always depicted seated on a rock engulfed by flames. From a set Kyosai rakuga, “Kyosai’s Drawings for Pleasure.” A satirical take on current events and mores. Published by Sawamuraya Seikichi in 1874. A set of 15 prints was planned but only 12 are known. This satirical image shows him reading a modern newspaper, his attendant Seitaka prepares meat and Kongara hangs a pot of stew in his flames. (Meat eating was being introduced.)
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Seisai Kyosai.
Status: Sold
Ikkansai EISHO (Fl. early 19th c.)
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A portrait of the wrestler Kuroyanagi Matsujiro, ring name Kumagatake Inosuke. Eisho was a pupil of Eishi. Published c. 1820s by Uoya Eikichi.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Shunsai Eisho ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHIHARU (1828-1888)
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A triptych showing a large elephant being inspected, watered and fed by foreigners. Ikoku watari taizo no zu. “Picture of a Big Elephant Brought from Overseas.” Beside the title in a box are the details of the animal: Three years old this year (1868); length 6 metres 38 cms; length of nose 3 metres 4 cms; tall 3 metres 76 cms; weight 2800 me. Published by Yamaguchiya Tobei. Rare: Not in any of the standard Yokohama books.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichibaisai Yoshiharu ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )
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An original painting of the Sumida riverbank at Mimeguri, Toto ( Edo ). A full moon rises above a tori and is reflected in the river. Possibly originally from a makemono. Sumi and light colour on paper, 7.9 x 21.9 in; 20 x 55.5 cms. Sealed with a Ryusai seal used in his later years.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )
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A complete diptych showing the seven gods of good luck ( Shichi-fuku-ji ). Household divinities who supervised the wordly needs of man ( and woman ). The group are at the entrance of a temple and laugh at Fukurokuju’s ( the god of happiness and longevity ) discomfiture at hitting the large temple lantern with his head. Published 1847-48 by Soshuya Yohei of Nihombashi. Excessively rare: I cannot locate another impression.
Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi giga, “Drawn in fun.”
Status: Sold