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Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1787-1858)
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Shiroamadai, white horsehead ( Latilus argentatus ) and omonhata, rock cod ( Epinephalus areolatus ). Together with Japanese horse radish, wasabi. Poem by Atsugaki. From the second series of nine fish prints published c 1840 – 42 by Yamasho ( Yamadoya Shobei ). Ex collection Felix Bracquemond ( 1833 – 1914 ). Japonisme in France usually starts with Bracquemond who was a graphic artist and designer and also worked with ceramics. He discovered Hokusai’s Manga in 1856 and used it as source material. He produced a number of etchings, often of birds and some with fish, obviously partly inspired by Japanese prints, including Hiroshige’s prints. So, it’s reasonable to suppose these were the actual prints he used as inspiration. Bracquemond’s initial: “B” accompanied the prints.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Centre fold as per usual. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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An original hanshita-e drawing probably showing Benkei and Yoshitsune on Gojo Bridge. Sumi on thin paper, image size 14.5 x 6.25 in, 37 x 16 cms. For a series of designs contained within a hagoita ( wooden paddles used to play the New Year hanetsuki game ). Some creasing.
Status: Sold
Yamazaki TOSHINOBU (1857-1886)
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The best design from Nihon ryakushi zu, “ A Brief History of Japan in Pictures.” Mongaku ( Endo Morito, c. 1120 – 1200 ) subjecting himself to three years 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. This subject lends itself to some wonderful designs: See this website for a rare horizontal triptych by Yoshitoshi and a vertical triptych by Kuniyoshi, and there are many single sheets by various artists. Toshinobu was a pupil of Kunisada and then Yoshitoshi. Published by Kanei Heizaburo, 1878.
Very good impression color and condition. Signed Oju Toshinobu.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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The fifteen year old Otani Furuinosuke killing a wild boar with his bare hands. From the set Honcho Suikoden goyu happyaku-nin no hitori, “ Eight Hundred Heroes of Our Country’s Suikoden, One by One.” A series of fine designs coming after the Tsuzoku Suikoden that was a turning point in Kuniyoshi’s career. Robinson S4a.14. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon, c early 1830s. Many designs from this set reissued by Ibaya Sensaburo, c 1845.
Very good impression. Fine colour and condition. Untrimmed ( a rarity on these designs ). Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)
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A rare surimono showing a family going kite flying. The man carrying a huge example on his back.
Very good impression and colour. Minor soil, otherwise good condition. Signed Zeshin with seal.
Status: Sold
Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)
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An uchiwa-e showing a pair of mandarin ducks amongst bulrushes. Extremely rare and possibly unique.
Very good impression and colour. The fan has been dismounted from its bamboo frame, hence the rib marks show. Slight soil. Signed Zeshin with Tairyukyo seal ( referring to his home near the Kanda River. Used after 1832 ).
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Senju no Ohashi, “The Senju Great Bridge” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). The bridge which was built in 1594 connected Edo with Senju ( seen to the right ) over the Sumida ( Arakawa ) River. Ex collection P & L Warnock (seal au verso ).
Very fine impression of the first edition. Minor edge soil otherwise fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A giant wave thrown up by the sea at Satta. Suruga Satta kaijo, “Waves Off the Satta Pass in Suruga Province” from the set Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” The finest design from the set. The spume of a wave was thought to transmogrify into chidori ( a species of plover ) which can be seen here flying above the sea. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858.
Very good impression and colour. One slight spot at top, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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An original hanshita-e drawing showing an actor in an onnagata role. Sumi on thin paper. Image size 12.5 x 6 in, 31.5 x 15 cms. . For a series of designs contained within a hagoita ( wooden paddles used to play the New Year hanetsuki game ). Numerous indications for the printer on the colours to be used. Good condition.
Status: Sold
KOTO (active 1894-1904)
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Little is known of this artist ( whose name can also be read Koshu ), although he seems to have been a pupil of Gekko. A superb 6-sheet design of the great naval battle outside the port of Ryojun ( Port Arthur ). Ryojunkogai daikaisen zu. Shows the attack by Admiral Togo Heihachiro on the Russian destroyers on the night of the 8-9th February 1904. The Russian Vice Admiral Oskar Starks had three vessels hit by Japanese torpedoes. War was declared between Japan and Russia on the 10th February 1904. Published by Heikichi Kimura 1904. The finest design of this genre and period when the publishers had to produce speedy propaganda prints, quickly superseded by photographic processes. Shows the powerful searchlights raking the waves and vessels cleverly tying the six sheets together.
Very fine impression with extensive splashed gofun. Fine colour and condition. Signed Koto.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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An original hanshita-e drawing showing three actors in various roles. Sumi on thin paper. Image size 12.5 x 6 in, 31.5 x 15 cms. For a series of designs contained within a hagoita ( wooden paddles used to play the New Year hanetsuki game ). Paper separated at top, otherwise good condition.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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Kaiba, Sea Horses, from a series of at least thirty surimono issued for the Yomo-gawa poetry group. Uma zukushi, “Horse Series” was commissioned for the Horse Year 1822 and each design alludes to the word horse. Here the dried sea horses are shown lying in a gold-lacquer folder beside a black-lacquer box containing a pair of beetles ( with connotations of potency ). This set, together with the “Shell Series” issued the previous year, is Hokusai’s most important set. A red hand-stamped title cartouche top right. Unidentified collector’s seal au verso. Rare.
Very fine impression and colour with gauffrage, silver, gold and bronze. Very slight discolouration to the yellow ground, otherwise very good condition. Signed Fusenkyo Iitsu hitsu.
Status: Sold
Ryuryukyo SHINSAI (1764 ?-1820)
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A rare surimono showing a red bream, sea urchin, cuttle-fish, various other molluscs and two unidentified fish with seaweed. Issued c 1810s.
Fine impression with gauffrage. Fine colour and very good condition. Signed Shinsai.
Status: Sold
Watanabe SEITEI (1852-1918)
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An original painting showing a snow covered cliff overhanging a waterfall; one long piece of vegetation is suspended over the fall. A beautiful painting in sumi with light touches of colour on silk. An artist who excelled at kachoga. Image size 39 x 13 in, 99 x 33 cms. Seitei was a successful artist and had a large studio. Many paintings of his are studio or partly studio works. Painting and original (?) mount in good condition. Ivory rollers and wooden box. Fully signed, sealed and dated: Hinoe tori ( 1896 ) doshi, Ran Seitei zu.
Status: Sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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An original painting showing Minamoto Yoshiie, a renowned archer, at the Nakoso checking station ( Kikuta noseki ) on the boundary of the Hitachi and Iwaki Provinces in 1087. He is said to have halted his horse here and composed a waka poem on the cherry blossom covering the path. This well known painting was exhibited at a special exhibition at the Ota Memorial Art Museum in 1989 of Kiyochika’s work and illustrated in the catalogue, no. 193, p.11. Full colour on silk. Image size 50 x 19.5 in, 127 x 49.5 cms. Painting in good condition. Old mount slightly worn top and bottom, but generally good condition. Wooden rollers and box. Signed and sealed Kiyochika.
Status: Sold
Nakabayashi CHIKUTO (1776-1853)
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A technically virtuoso painting of butterflies. Chikuto was recognized as the theorist of the Nanga school and is known for his illustrated books, especially Chikuto gafu of 1800. Full colour on silk. Image size 30.5 x 10.5 in, 77.5 x 26.5 cms. Painting and old mounting in good condition. Ivory rollers and wooden box. Signed and sealed Chikuto.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A fine hanshita-e triptych drawing by Kuniyoshi showing the actors Arashi Kichisaburo, Ichikawa Kuzo and Ogami Eisaburo, probably in the play Hiragawa seisuiki. Sumi and light colour, 14.5 x 30 in, 37 x 76.5 cma. Each sheet fully signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga with hand-stamped red Kiri seal. Some pentimenti. Laid down onto a larger sheet of paper. Light staining, otherwise good condition.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A fine hanshita-e triptych drawing by Kuniyoshi showing the strong woman Kaneko Kugutsune ( also called O Kane or Omi no O Kane ). She is normally depicted – as here – holding down the sacred white temple horse with her geta. These appear to be lifelike dolls: There seems to have been a craze for such figures in the 1850s. Other materials used to make such figures and animals were shells, cane and flowers. Sumi and light colour, 14.5 x 30 in, 37 x 76.5 cms. Each sheet fully signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Unidentified publisher’s seal, c 1855. Some pentimenti. Laid down onto a larger sheet of paper. Light staining, otherwise good condition. Kuniyoshi appears to have liked this subject and designed a number of prints including a famous horizontal landscape in western style.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A fine hanshita-e triptych drawing by Kuniyoshi showing a general ( possibly Kato Kiyomasa ) on a horse far left and surrounded by his soldiers. He is viewing flotillas of boats laden with more troops. Sumi and light touches of red, 14.5 x 30 in, 37 x 76.5 cms. Each sheet fully signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga with censor seal pasted on for 9/1860. The publisher’s seal Yamamotoya Heikichi and hand-stamped red Kiri seal on each sheet. Extensive pentimenti. Laid down onto a larger sheet of paper. Light staining, otherwise good condition.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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Two original sumi drawings mounted onto board. One shows a seated beauty, 3.25 x 2.5 in, 8 x 6.5 cms; the other shows musicians with long noses, 5.75 x 3.75 in, 14.5 x 9.5 cms.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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An original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 7.25 x 5 in, 18 x 12.5 cms. The original design for the Master of Papier Mache from a Hundred Pictures by Kyosai published 1863-6. Shows Dharma dolls coming to life and terrifying their makers. The print illustrated in Kawanabe Kyosai, The Tokyo Shimbun, 1996, no. 122-5, p. 213. Good condition.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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An original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 10.5 x 24.25 in, 26.5 x 61.5 cms showing Emma the King of Hell being held back by three girls while another pulls his tongue with iron tongs. A fine large drawing. Kyosai seal at right. Good condition.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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An original hanshita-e drawing showing actors in different roles; the one above as a warrior, and beneath as a commoner. Sumi and touches of red on thin paper. Image size 14 x 6 in, 35.5 x 15 cms. . For a series of designs contained within a hagoita ( wooden paddles used to play the New Year hanetsuki game ). Good condition.
Status: Sold
Toyohara KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)
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An original hanshita-e drawing showing an actor with sword raised and voluminous red hair. Sumi and red on thin paper, image size 11.5 x 5.75 in, 30 x 14.5 cms. For a series of designs contained within a hagoita ( wooden paddles used to play the New Year hanetsuki game ). Numerous indications for the printer on the colours to be used. In good condition.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An original hanshita-e drawing presumably showing Kintaro with a monkey, pheasant and dog. A lovely preparatory sketch in sumi and pink on thin paper, image size 13 x 6.25 in, 33 x 16 cms. For a series of designs contained within a hagoita ( wooden paddles used to play the New Year hanetsuki game ). In good condition.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1787-1858)
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A vertical diptych showing a multitude of cranes flying up from a cresting wave to a large red sun. In fact this diptych was used by an Edo publisher as end sheets to albums – usually sets of Hiroshige landscapes. Rare: Invariably it is impossible to match the two sheets as the bottom design is always graded blue at the top. Another matching impression is illustrated pl. 143 in Four Hundred Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints From The Museum Of Art, Rhode Island School Of Design, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Collection Of Japanese Prints, 1990. Published 5/1858.
Fine impression and colour. Small expertly repaired binding holes, otherwise good condition. Collector’s seal bottom right on each sheet. Signed Hiroshige fude.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1787-1858)
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Azuma no Mori no koji “ The Old Story of Azuma” from a set Toto kyuseki tsukushi, “Old Edo Stories, Illustrated.” Exceptionally rare: Four other designs from the set came up at the Orange and Thornicraft sale, Sothebys, 25/3/1912, lot 440. And another impression of this design is illustrated in Hiroshige, The Albuquerque Museum, 1983, no. 722, pl. 74. Shows the concubine Tachibana Hime about to throw herself from the prow of the boat to appease the sea-gods and protect her lord Yamato Take. This she did despite him vowing to marry Miyazu Hime on his return. Published by Wakasa-ya, c 1845. A wonderful design.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Almost mint. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A triptych with title Furyu ningyo zu, “Pictures of Dolls in Contemporary Fashion.” There was a craze for these lifelike dolls in the 1850s ( this triptych being dated 2/1856 ). In fact Kuniyoshi designed another print in the same year of the centre subject Tammeijiro Genshogo being captured. This impression appears to be the only known copy: Not listed anywhere. Unidentified publisher. An original hanshita-e for the first sheet exists in the Victoria & Albert Museum, illustrated in Japanese Colour Prints, Edward F. Strange, 1913, pl. XLII.
Very fine impression and colour. Possibly very slightly trimmed round. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An important original oban wood-block for printing the last sheet of a triptych Gishi youchi rannyu no zu, the night attack of the forty-seven Ronin. The block was cut by Hori Cho and published by Fujikei, 4/1864. The only Yoshitoshi block I have seen. Sold together with the published print in indifferent condition. Block in good condition.
Status: Sold
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Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)
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A nagaban ( 20 x 9 in; 51 x 23 cms ) print showing a rear view of General Bacho ( Chinese Ma Chao ) on horseback carrying a huge axe. One of the Five Tiger Generals, heroes of the Chinese Ming Dynasty “Romance of the Three Kingdoms.” A set of five prints with title Goku saishiki go hon nobori no uchi, “Five Brightly Coloured Banners.” Published by Moriya Jihei, c 1835-7 and complements another nagaban set of the same date but showing female warriors. Extremely rare, partly due to their size.
Fine impression and colour. Minor soil towards bottom and almost undiscernable centre fold. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1787-1858)
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Masaki atari yori Suijin no mori uchikawa Sekiya no sata o miru zu, “View of Suijin Grove and Sekiya Village, Seen From Near Masaki” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being Snake 8, 1857 ). One of the great designs from the set, the view encapsulated by a semi-circular screen.
Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour. One very small thinned spot, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1787-1858)
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Konodai Tonegawa fukei, “View of Konodai and the Tone River” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Edo” published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being Dragon 5, 1856 ). Shows the river disappearing in the distance with Mt Fuji on the horizon. The scene being admired by three travellers on the rocky outcrop at left.
Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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A view of two temples separated by water: Mimeguri and Ushi-no Misaka. From an early set of thirteen prints with title Shimpan uki-e, “New Perspective Prints,” published by Iseya Rihei, 1811. ( Although various dates are given between 1804 and 1810 for the series, in fact at least three have Yama-To gyoji seals.) Illustrated in Katsushika Hokusai, the catalogue of the Peter Morse collection at the Ota Memorial Museum of Art, 1988, no. 50. Interestingly, there are other designs in the same format using the same title cartouche and of the same date but by Toyokuni I and Kunitora.
Fine impression and colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Later editions have considerably coarser colouring. Signed Hokusai ga.
Status: Sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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Cats, one astonished by a painting on an easel of a rooster and chicken, the other pawing at the image and having upset a palette, throwing brushes and tubes of paint into the air. From a set of at least nine oban prints published by Matsuki c. 1879 – 81. These prints mimic imported lithographs and etchings and are exceptionally rare. There are also very misleading copies of this series.
Fine impression with gauffrage on the left cat. Fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Totally untrimmed. No known example has a signature, although other designs from the set are known with information running horizontally and with signature.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHIIKU ( 1833-1904 )
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No. 82, Goto Matabei Mototsugu stopping a cannon shot with his shield from a large chuban series Taiheiki eiyuden “ Biographies of the Heroes of the Taiheiki.” A fictional history written in the late 14th century. The set published by Hirooka Kosuke, 1/1867. One of the four best designs from the set.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Chokaro Yoshiiku ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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The best design from the set Tsuki hyakushi, the “Hundred Phases of the Moon”. The set published between 1885 and 1892 ( this being 1886 ) by Akiyama Buemon. Benkei against a full moon. In 1185 Yoshitsune attacked by his half-brother Minamoto no Yoritomo, was forced to flee to northern Japan by ship. Sailing along the Inland Sea off the coast of Harima Province not far from Kyoto, the ship was struck by a storm in Daimotsu Bay caused by the vengeful ghosts of the Taira warriors Yoshitsune and his men had slain. Benkei pacified the spirits in the prow of the boat.
Very good impression and colour. Full margins with extensive mica. Offsetting visible au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNISADA II (1823-1880)
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The cat witch Ama Myochin. The best design from the set Hakkenden inu no soshi no uchi, biographies of the Eight Dog heroes. She peeps between two bamboo curtains, the silhouette of her true self – large hairy body and huge claws – being revealed through the curtains. Cherry blossom floats down. Published 1852 by Tsutaya Kichizo. The Hakkenden, Bakin’s famous novel, was a popular source for ukiyo-e artists.
Very good impression and colour. Slightly trimmed round. Signed Ichiyosai Kunisada ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1787-1858)
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Oniwakamaru, the young Benkei, battling with the giant red carp that swallowed his mother. From a set Yoshitsune ichidai zu. Of the utmost rarity: Stewart in Subjects Portrayed in Japanese Colour-Prints, Kegan Paul, 1922, p. 318, states that only one design ( not this ) was known at that time. It is unknown how many prints were designed for this set. Published c. 1845. A wonderful design and shows that Hiroshige could excel in other areas apart from landscapes.
Fine impression and colour. Slight discolouration in margins, otherwise good condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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MAY in romaji from a set of the twelve months, Junikagetsu no uchi, although this is the only known design for the set. One of Kyosai’s best designs. Shows Shoki, the “Demon Queller” riding a tiger and brandishing his two-edged sword at a group of terrified oni. Shoki ( Chinese: Chung K’wei ) was lauded for having relieved the Emperor Ming Hwang of the fever demon during his sleep. A favourite subject for Japanese artists, although mostly ignored by the Chinese. Published by Fukuda Kumajiro, 1887. Paintings of Shoki were hung on Boy’s Day ( 5th day of the 5th month ). Hence Kyosai choosing this subject for MAY.
Fine impression and colour. Trimmed at bottom, otherwise very good condition: This design is notorious for often being heavily trimmed and consequently for the three sheets not aligning properly. And also for being trimmed into the title at right. Signed Kyosai ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Shinchunagon Tomomori clasping the great anchor and binding the rope about him prior to jumping into the sea after his defeat at the battle of Dannoura. From an untitled series of at least seventeen prints. This design published by Yamashiroya Heisuke, c. 1845. Extremely rare: Ex Robinson collection and illustrated by him in colour in Kuniyoshi, Phaidon, 1982, pl. 13, SIf.7. Sold by me to Robinson in 1980 and at that time it was the only impression he had seen. I have subsequently not seen another.
Fine impression and colour. Trimmed round slightly and small repaired binding holes at right. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold