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Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760-1849 )



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Shrike and wild strawberry from the so-called Small Flower series of ten chuban prints published c 1832. Amongst the most sought- after of Hokusai’s prints. The first edition ( as here ) was published by and has the seal Eijudo. A later edition has combined manji and kiwame seal ( and some are printed on thin Chinese-style paper ), and there are also impressions extant without any seals which probably constitute a third state. All impressions are rare and the first state excessively so. Indeed, these prints are considered even rarer than the larger bird and flower set Hokusai designed c 1833. The printing and colour on this set comes close to surimono quality. Each print has a Chinese poem written in hiragana.

Fine impression and colour. Minor soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu.

Status: Sold

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    Totoya HOKKEI ( 1780-1850 )



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    A mounted sage followed by his servant crossing a bridge over a lake. 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, 0710,0,229 and Honolulu Museum of Art, ref: 14466. Hokkei was one of Hokusai’s best pupils and designed many fine surimono. Unidentified publisher’s seal and censor’s seal in right margin ( trimmed off on the other impressions ).

    Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Hokkei.

    Status: Sold

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      Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA ( 1822-1866 )



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      A triptych with title Taiheiki Yakiyama-Goye no zue, “Picture of the Slope of Burning Mountain in the Taiheiki.” Sato Masakiyo ( = Kato Kiyomasa ), far left, and his men encountering a monstrous serpent surrounded by bats and flying goblins on a haunted mountain . Published by Kagaya Kichibei, 5/1861.

      Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga.

      Status: Sold

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        Utagawa HIROSHIGE II ( 1826-1869 )



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        Hiroshige II’s best print. Suo Iwakuni no Kintaibashi, “The Kintai Bridge, Iwakuni in Suo Province.” From Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in Various Provinces.” Published by Uoya Heikichi 11/1859.

        The rare first edition has a variegated sub-cartouche but this is still an extremely early impression with the green on the banks top right ( missing on later editions ); light blue on the water, and gradation and mica on the roofs at bottom. Fine colour. Small repaired binding holes in left margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

        Status: Sold

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          Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1786-1864 )



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          A surimono showing the Chinese warrior Huang Zhong ( Jap: Ko Chu, d. 220 AD ). Best known for his role in the novel Tale of the Three Kingdoms. He is shown wearing tiger skin breeches and armed with a large sword, bow and arrows. From a set Go koshogun, “The Five Tiger Generals.” Title on right Sono yon Ko Chu, “Nr 4 Huang Zhong. “ Issued by the Asakusagawa Poetry Club ( seal top left ) for the Tiger year 1818. Two poems by Shinsokutei Kashimaru ( right ) and Hogetsudo Yukitake ( left ).

          Fine impression. Very good colour with extensive gold and silver. Very good condition. Signed Gakutei Harunobu.

          Status: Sold

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            Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1786-1864 )



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            A surimono showing the Chinese warrior Ma Chao ( Jap: Ba Cho, 176-222 AD ). Best known for his role in the novel Tale of the Three Kingdoms. He is shown leaning on a giant axe. From a set Go koshogun, “The Five Tiger Generals.” Title on right Sono go Ba Cho, “Nr 5 Ma Chao. “ Issued by the Asakusagawa Poetry Club ( seal top left ) for the Tiger year 1818. Two poems by Ki no Yoshito ( right ) and Sengetsudo ( left ).

            Fine impression. Very good colour with extensive gold and silver. Very good condition. Signed Gakutei Harunobu.

            Status: Sold

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              Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )



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              Minakuchi, Station 51 from the Tokaido gojusantsugi, “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Road.” The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo, c 1833-4. Shows the village women, at left, peeling and drying gourds to make the famous kampyo.

              Exceptionally early printing. Probably first edition. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

              Status: Sold

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                Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )



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                Toi Tama River in Settsu Province with a poem by Minamoto no Toshiyori from the series of six prints Shokoku Mutamagawa , “Six Jewel Rivers in the Provinces.” Shows women fulling cloth beneath a full moon. The set published by Maruya Kyushiro 11/1857.

                Superb impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                Status: Sold

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                  Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )



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                  Noda Tama River in Mutsu Province with a poem by Noin from the series of six prints Shokoku Mutamagawa , “Six Jewel Rivers in the Provinces.” Shows a Heian beaty and attendant admiring the view. The set published by Maruya Kyushiro 11/1857.

                  Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                  Status: Sold

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                    Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )



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                    Fujieda, no. 23, from the so-called Reisho Tokaido because of the formal script used for the title. One of the best designs from the set. Travellers well covered against the rain traversing a path between fields.

                    Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                    Status: Sold

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                      Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760-1849 )



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                      A surimono showing two young girls making new year envelopes. On the side screen is a view of Fuji. Three poems above. Published c 1806.

                      Fine impression and colour. Small strengthened area au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hokusai ga.

                      Status: Sold

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                        Tsukioka SETTEI ( 1710-1786 )



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                        An original painting showing a beauty sitting on an engawa having picked flowers which she is placing in a wooden bucket beside her. Settei produced many illustrated books but after around 1765 turned towards painting beauties, courtesans and geishas. They are of the utmost refinement – the faces and limbs picked out in red, their costumes often having areas of gold, and invariably have the wide lantern-locks ( toro-bin ) hairstyle. Settei also excelled at shunga painting. Sumi and full colour with details picked out in gold on silk. 30.75 x 11.5 in; 78.1 x 29.2 cms. Minor creasing but otherwise very good condition. An elaborately embroidered mount. Painted c 1770. Signed Tsukioka Settei with seals Shinten’o and Tsukioka shi.

                        Status: Sold




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                          Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)



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                          A triptych showing a comical battle between women in old-fashioned dress with various household utensils. Published 1852 by Muraya Seijiro. Rare.

                           

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

                           

                          Status: Sold

                           

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                            Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)




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                            The lion falling in love from a set Kyosai rakuga, “Kyosai’s Drawings for Pleasure.”A satirical take on current events and mores. A design based on Aesop’s Fables which tells of a lion falling in love with a beautiful girl and asking her to marry him. Her bemused parents set a challenge for him: to have his claws removed and teeth filed. He duly submits only to have the parents then laugh and ask him to do his worst. Published 1874 by Sawamuraya Seikichi. A set of 15 prints was planned but only 12 are known.

                             

                             

                            Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Seisai Kyosai.

                             

                             

                            Status: Sold

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                              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. 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.) Published 1874 by Sawamuraya Seikichi. A set of 15 prints was planned but only 12 are known.

                               

                               

                              Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Seisai Kyosai.

                               

                               

                              Status: Sold

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                                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. The demons from Hell get new jobs as postmen, rikisha men etc. Published 1874 by Sawamuraya Seikichi. A set of 15 prints was planned but only 12 are known.

                                 

                                 

                                Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Seisai Kyosai.

                                 

                                 

                                Status: Sold

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                                  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. 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 ghosts on the Roman alphabet. Published 1874 by Sawamuraya Seikichi. A set of 15 prints was planned but only 12 are known.

                                   

                                   

                                  Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Seisai Kyosai.

                                   

                                   

                                  Status: Sold

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                                    Utagawa YOSHITSUNA (Active c. 1848-68)




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                                    A triptych Asakusa Okuyama ikiningyo, “Living Dolls of Asakusa’s Okuyama.” These life-size figures were made from papier-mache with bamboo frames by Matsumoto Kisaburo from Kumamoto and were evidently amazingly life-like. The subjects were foreign strangers and Maruyama courtesans. The exhibition was in February 1855 in an area that had many sideshows. Kuniyoshi also produced prints of this and other exhibitions. Published by Murataya Ichigoro, 1855.Extremely rare.

                                     

                                     

                                    Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Yoshitsuna ga.

                                     

                                     

                                    Status: Sold

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                                      Utagawa YOSHIFUJI ( 1828-1887 )



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                                      The head of the cat-witch of Okabe from the Fifty-three Stations. The head is composed of convoluted cats’ bodies; the eyes being two bells that are usually found round cats’ necks and the mouth a thick ribbon as worn by cats. Any young girl visiting the temple was at risk of being greeted by an old woman who would offer her accommodation for the night, only to transmogrify into a cat-witch and devour them. The print was published c 1847 by ( appropriately ) Kita. Extremely rare and a great 19th century design.

                                      Fine impression and colour. Small corner repair bottom right and slight strengthening au verso of weak lines. But generally good condition. Full size. Signed Ipposai Yoshifuji ga.

                                      Status: Sold

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                                        Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE II ( 1829-1869 )



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                                        The foremost pupil of Hiroshige. Formerly called Shigenobu, he assumed the name Hiroshige II on Hiroshige’s death and married his daughter. Shows Soshu Shichirigahama, the “Seven Ri Beach” near Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. From the set Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “The One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” From the beach one gets a clear view of Fuji and Enoshima Island – both framed by a giant wave. The set ( of which only 80 are known ) was published by Uoya Eikichi 1859-61 ( this being 1859 ).

                                        Very good impression and colour. Margins trimmed close, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                        Status: Sold

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                                          Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )



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                                          Shionata from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei ( Kinjudo ). Shows the eastern shore of the broad Chikuma River. Three boatmen walk towards porters resting in a hut. Travellers could hire a boat or engage porters to bear them across the river on platforms held above the water. There are numerous triptychs showing this by Hiroshige and other artists.

                                          Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.

                                          Status: Sold

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                                            Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )



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                                            Nihonbashi Edobashi “The Nihon and Edo Bridges from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.”  The wooden Nihonbashi ( literally Japan Bridge ) was completed in 1603. The current stone bridge dates to 1911. A classic Hiroshige composition using a large foreground object to give depth to the view, further complicated by the insertion of part of a basket of tuna being carried by a porter. Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856-58 ). This design dated Snake 12 ( 1857 ).

                                            Very fine impression of the first edition. ( Apart from the three-colour variegated cartouche, only the first edition has gradation on the lower part of the bridge and gradation above and below the boat passing under the bridge. ) Fine colour. Left margin trimmed, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.

                                            Status: Sold

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                                              Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI ( 1839-1892 )



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                                              An original painting showing Fukurokugu – the God of Happiness, Wealth and Longevity and one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck, Shichi-fuku-ji, teasing a cat with the tassle on his fan.  The Seven Gods theme  comes from China, and possibly India as well, apart from Ebisu. Sumi on paper. Light creasing and rubbing at top otherwise good condition. Image size  47.75 x 22.5 in; 121.5 x 57 cms. Painted c 1880s.

                                              Signed Yoshitoshi with seals Taiso Yoshitoshi.

                                              Status: Sold




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                                                Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )



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                                                Kwatsuyemra Genshoshichi hiding under a tiger-skin in a boat under a hail of arrows. From Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyaku-hachi-nin no hitori, “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One.” Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon, c 1827-30. Robinson S2.40.

                                                Fine impression and colour. Very good condition: completely untrimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                                Status: Sold

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                                                  Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )



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                                                  Saito Toshimoto and a Chinese general struggling underwater. The second best design from Taiheiki yeiyu den, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki.” Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi, 1848-9. Robinson S62.31.

                                                  Extremely fine impression of the earliest printing. ( This is the best example I have seen of this design. ) Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                                  Status: Sold

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                                                    Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )



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                                                    The last stand of the Kusunoki at Shijonawate, Shijonawate nite Nanke no eiyu taiteki o. Shows the final battle of Shijonawate in 1348 with Kusunoki Masatsura, the son of Kusunoki Masashige, under a deluge of arrows continuing his father’s struggle against the Ashikaga forces. This forms a 6-sheet composition with another triptych and Kuniyoshi also designed another triptych of the same subject. Published 1847. Unidentified publisher.

                                                    Very fine impression of the earliest printing. Very fine colour. Fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                                    Status: Sold

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                                                      Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1780-c 1869 )



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                                                      A surimono showing the nine-tailed fox ( Tamamo-no-mae ) and the warrior Miuranosuke who was a palace guard in the court of Emperor Konoe ( 1139-1155 ). Issued c 1826 for a sub-group of the Biwa-ren poetry circle ( emblem top right ) headed by Benbenkan. Poems by Bentandai Gihoshi, Bendendai Kazumasu , Bensusha Masago, Bensusha Mazukage Masago, Andaro Horikawa Soroku and Kofukutei Okada Minoru. Legend tells that the Emperor’s adversary – an evil fox – disguised itself into a beauty who captivated the Emperor. She was eventually revealed and killed by Miuranosuke with an arrow from his bow.

                                                      Extremely fine impression with embossing and metallic pigments. Very fine colour and condition. Signed Gakutei with seal Shugyokudo.

                                                      Status: Sold

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                                                        Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892 )



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                                                        Taira no Masakado ( 901-940 ) from an extremely rare and early set: Honcho hyaku yuden, “One Hundred Warriors of Japan.” Masakado was an interloper who attempted to set up a rival court at Ishii in Shimosa to that of Regent Tadahira in Kyoto. He was subsequently killed by Hidesato on the orders of the Regent. Masakado was guarded by a number of ghostly doubles who impersonated him making killing him difficult. These ghostly doppelgangers are seen here in the background. Published 1862 by Enshu-ya Hikobei although it is not known how many prints there are in the set and Keys  ( Courage and Silence, Yoshitoshi, 1982 ) only knew of the set from the Netto list.

                                                        Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                        Status: Sold

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                                                          Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE ) ( 1777-1835 )



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                                                          Evening Glow ( Sunset ) at Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture. From a set Meisho hakkei, “Eight Views of Famous Places” ( based on the Eight Views of Omi theme ). Published 1830s by Iseri. The town is famous for the Onsen hot springs and the area is known for its past volcanic activity. Across Sagami Bay can be seen smoke coming from the volcanic island of Oshima ( the epicentre of the great Kanto earthquake of 1923 ).

                                                          Fine impression and colour.There are two states of this set: one with square and one with cursive script ( as here ) in the oblong cartouche at top. It is unclear which is the earliest. This purple cartouche is often faded out to a puce colour. Slight centre fold otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni hitsu.

                                                          Status: Sold

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                                                            Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI ( 1839-1892 )



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                                                            Arguably Yoshitoshi’s masterpiece in the triptych format. Shows Mongaku ( Endo Morito, c.1120-1200 ) subjecting himself to three year’s penance as a Buddhist monk beneath the waterfall of Mount Nachi in Kii Province. Morito inflicted this punishment on himself because he had inadvertently cut off the head of Kesa Gozen, the wife of the palace guard Watanabe Wataru, with whom he was in love. Published 1859 ( centre sheet ) and 1860 ( outside panels ) by Kadokin. Extremely rare: Another impression in the Baur collection, Geneve, Switzerland.

                                                            Fine impression, very good colour. Minor soil bottom left corners of last two sheets, otherwise very good condition. Extensive splashed gofun. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                            Status: Sold

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                                                              Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )



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                                                              The priest Nichiren standing on the rocky promontory at Reizan in Kamakura and having his prayers for rain answered. The event occurred in 1271. His disciples surround him and protect him from the deluge with a large umbrella. Bunei hachi Kamakura Reizan-ga-saki uki. The second best design from Koso [ Nichiren ] goichidai ryakuzu, “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder.” Nichiren ( 1222 – 1282 ) was the founder of the Buddhist Nichiren sect ( Nichiren shu – Kuniyoshi being a follower ) and indeed the set of ten prints may have been commissioned to mark the 550th anniversary of his death. Published by Iseya Rihei c 1831.

                                                              Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. This design is notorious for having the umbrella trimmed off and/or the title in right margin. The printer has compensated for this by printing close to the left border. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                                              Status: Sold

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                                                                Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )



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                                                                A triptych showing the old hag of Hitotsuya in the dilapidated house on Adachi Moor. The morbid story tells of a woman who developed cannibalistic habits for the lord of the district who required the blood of babies or young women. The hag menacies a young girl while Kannon ( to the right ), the goddess of compassion, looks on. In fact these are life-like dolls ( iki-ningyo ). There were popular exhibitions of these dolls during the mid 1850s to the late 1860s. Leading exponents being Yasumoto Kamehachi and Matsumoto Kisaburo. The latter had an exhibition in Asakusa Okuyama in 1855 and this might have been one of the exhibits. Kuniyoshi designed a number of diptychs and triptychs showing various exhibits of these dolls including others on this subject. Published 2/1855 by Yamaguchiya Tobei.

                                                                Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai and Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.

                                                                Status: Sold

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                                                                  Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760-1849 )



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                                                                  Hotei with a karako puppet doll. Hotei, the God of abundance and good health, was one of the Seven Gods of Good Luck. The concept originated in India ( except Ebisu ) and came to Japan via China. He is usually shown as a shaven-headed priest in loose Chinese garments, holding a fan and reclining against a large bag. He is often surrounded by children trying to discover what is in the bag. Karako is a Chinese child who is usually depicted with a partly shaven head. These “treasures” were auspicious symbols of prosperity. Sumi and light colour on paper, image size 20.75 in x 13.5 in; 52.6 cms x 34.4 cms. The calligraphy is by Shotochinjin. Signed Gakyo Rojin Manji yowai hachi-go, “From the brush of Manji, old man mad with painting, aged eighty-five. With Katsushika seal. Exhibited in Masterpieces of Paintings by Hokusai School at the Itabashi Art Museum, 2008. . New mount and box with a futo-maki ( a thick wooden roll to preserve the painting from damage ). In fine condition.

                                                                  Status: Sold




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                                                                    Kitagawa SHIKIMARO ( active c 1810 )



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                                                                    An original painting, full colour on silk, image size 37.75 in x 15 in; 96 cms x 38 cms.
                                                                    This pupil of Kitagawa Tsukimaro is known for his prints of full length beauties. Paintings by him are extremely rare and this is possibly the finest example. Shows a Kagi-zu, a geisha who entertained by playing the shamisen. Her attendant is seen behind her holding the three-stringed instrument. The shamisen came originally from China via Okinawa and underwent certain changes. It was adopted by the geisha culture in 1750 and took a number of years to master. New mount and box with a futo-maki ( a thick wooden roll to preserve the painting from damage ). In fine condition. An exceptional painting – especially the rendering of the acolyte’s face. Signed Toto ( Eastern Capital ) Shikimaro ga with red kakihan.

                                                                    Status: Sold




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                                                                      Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797-1858 )



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                                                                      A snowy view: Meguro taikobashi yuhi no oka, “Drum Bridge and Sunset Hill, Meguro” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Shows the valley of the Meguro River with Sunset Hill to the left. Stone bridges were uncommon in Edo because of the risk from earthquakes. Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 ( 1856-58 ). This design dated Snake 4 ( 1857 ).

                                                                      Very good impression and colour. Very slight vertical crease, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

                                                                      Status: Sold

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                                                                        Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )



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                                                                        Kyusempo Sakucho at the battle of Peking from Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyaku-hachi-nin no hitori, “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One.” Shows the brigand wielding a huge axe and plunging through deep snow on his horse. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon, c 1827-30. Robinson S2.44.

                                                                        Very good impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                                                        Status: Sold

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                                                                          Keisai EISEN ( 1790-1848 )



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                                                                          A prolific pupil of Eizan. Shows a carp swimming among water-weed. Blue ground. An extremely rare print. Published by Ezakiya, c 1843-6. There is another version of this print without censor’s seal and with a moon reflected in the water. This appears to be a copy of the impression offered here as the blocks vary slightly. Ex Vever collection, Sothebys 1977, Part III, lot 227, p. 120 ( who also sold the copy, lot 228 ).

                                                                          Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Keisai.

                                                                          Status: Sold

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                                                                            Utagawa YOSHIHARU ( 1828-1888 )



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                                                                            A Chinese brigand, Hakujisso Hakusho, fighting a giant rooster from Suikoden gogetsu kagami, “Mirror of Heroes of the Suikoden.” Yoshiharu was a pupil of Kuniyoshi. Published by Yamaguchiya Tobei.

                                                                            Fine impression with extensive burnishing on the rooster. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ipposai Yoshiharu ga.

                                                                            Status: Sold

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                                                                              Ichijusai YOSHIKAZU ( active c 1850-1870 )



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                                                                              The Earth Spider cornered in its cavernous lair by Raiko’s four retainers ( Shi-tenno ):
                                                                              Watanabe no Tsuna; Usui no Sadamitsu; Urabe no Suetaka, and Sakata no Kintoki. Published by Maruya Jimpachi in 1858. Yoshikazu was a pupil of Kuniyoshi who also designed a version of this story. A fine design.

                                                                              Very fine impression. The first and second sheets do not match accurately and the colour changes from black to brown. The cataloguer has noted this on every impression he has seen. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichijusai Yoshikazu ga.

                                                                              Status: Sold

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                                                                                Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA ( 1822-1866 )



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                                                                                Amidst lightning bolts a large white dragon emerges from the Koromo River before Yoshitsune and his followers at the battle of Takatachi in Mutsu Province in 1187. Yoshitsune’s loyal retainer, Benkei, is in the centre wearing a white monk’s cowl and holding his personal standard with Buddhist prayer wheel on the top. To the right is Yoshitsune in full armour. Published by Kinshodo in 1857. A fine design.

                                                                                Very fine impression with mica applied to the dragon. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga.

                                                                                Status: Sold

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