Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. A bora, grey mullet (Mugil cephalus), together with camellia and Japanese asparagusudo. This impression is from the extremely rare first private edition for a poetry club with the judges’ names beside the kyoka poems by Higaki Kunifune and Toshinoto Haruki. From a set of ten prints published – most likely – by Eijudo around 1832-34. These prints were subsequently issued commercially by Eijudo with his seal and a kiwame seal (both missing here on the private printing) and with the judges’ names removed. Who the poetry group was is not known, but they must have been affluent and influential. Of the sixteen poets on the prints, four were certainly members of the Shingyoku Circle, which was affiliated to the Yomogawa. This was the group that commissioned, amongst others, Hokusai’s Horse and Shell series of surimono. There appear to be three other impressions known from the private edition: Sebastian Izzard, Hiroshige, The Ukiyo-e Society of America Inc., 1983, no. 5; Ukiyo-e art, no. 18, Memeorial exhibition of Hiroshige, The Japan Ukiyo-e Society, 1968 (C) no. 4; and Juzo Suzuki, Utagawa Hiroshige, Nihon Keizai Shinbun, 1970, no. 593. Provenance: Ex Stoclet collection.   Very fine impression. Fine colour. Centre fold (as usual as they were issued in folding album form), otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. A one third block (10 x 4.75 in; 25.3 x 12.1 cms) panel showing an oriole – probably a black-naped oriole – on a branch of a flowering apple tree. Published c. early 1830s.   Good impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.   Status: Sold  

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare aiban print showing two kochi , bartail flatheads, (Platycephalus indicus) and an abalone, sea-ear, (Haliotus tuberculate). From a set of eight prints of various fish published c. late 1830s. Another impression is illustrated in Japanese Prints IV – Hiroshige and the Utagawa School, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, 1984, no. 45, p. 35.   Fine impression and colour. Slight soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige   Status: Sold  

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Kami, crab (Charybois) and saba, mackerel (Scomber Japonicus) together with two flowers of morning glory. Poem by Shichichintei. This is the first edition (Kruml 19a). From the second series of fish published by Yamasho c. 1840-42. Unidentified collector’s seal bottom right corner.     Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold    

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. A shishi cub being taught to scale a vertical cliff. ( Shishi: ‘Chinese Lion’ [ Ch.: Shi-tzu ]. ) it was said that the shishi cast its young from a high rock to test whether it could scale the rock face in which case it became the perfect beast. Published by Sanoki, c 1839-40. Extremely rare: one other impression illustrated in The Art of Hiroshige, Tsuneo Tamba, no.410. Fine impression and colour. Small areas of expert restoration. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. Ai or ayu, river trout, Plecoglossus altivelis. Poem by Haruzono Shizuo. From the first set of fish prints published by Eijudo, c 1832-4. This first series was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Circle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were printed and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this first series was published commercially and a second set was commissioned. The most sought after print in the series and probably the first to be designed.   Very good impression, colour and condition. Full size with with no centre fold. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.   Status: Sold  

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. A half- block print showing a small bird (possibly a bush warbler) and plum blossom. . Published by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo) c. mid 1830s. Half-blocks were printed two-to-a-sheet and divided, either vertically or horizontally.   Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Utagawa seal.   Status: Sold  

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. A half-block print showing a sparrow and iris. Published by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo) c. mid 1830s. Half-blocks were printed two-to-a-sheet and divided, either vertically or horizontally.   Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Utagawa seal.   Status: Sold  

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. A tanzaku showing a rooster and hydrangea. Published by Kawaguchi Shozo, c. 1830s. Another impression is illustrated in Four Hundred Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints From The Museum Of Art, Rhode Island School Of Design, 1990, no. 121, p. 54. Hiroshige is best known for his landscapes, but he produced almost as many bird and flower prints.    Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.    Status: Sold

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

 Click here to view image full size. A chutanzaku print showing a tortoise, crab and dandelions from an untitled series of ten prints showing water creatures originally published two-to-a-sheet. Of the utmost rarity: Arguably the most difficult Kuniyoshi set to find. It appears there are only three other impressions known of this design: The Bidwell Collection, Springfield Museum of Fine Arts, illustrated in their catalogue, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1980, no 72 (60.D05.197); The Japan Ukiyoe Museum, uncut sheet with lobster and small fish, illustrated in Utagawa Kuniyoshi Exhibition Catalogue, 1996, p. 154, no. 208; and Kuniyoshi, Iwakiri Yuriko, Hotei publishing, 2013, p. 135, no. 109 (possibly from a French collection). This actual impression (making the fourth impression known) is illustrated in Kuniyoshi, Juzo Suzuki, 1992, no. 445. Ex collections J. Schedel (seal next to signature) and Sawai Suzuichi. This impression has no publisher’s seal nor does another design of a carp from the set illustrated in Heroes & Ghosts, Robert Schaap, Hotei publishing, 1998, p. 213, no 240. That is a very fine impression (as is this) and possibly they are proof impressions. Published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke (Kinshodo), c 1837. For the full set illustrated see the Springfield catalogue mentioned above. Excessively rare.   Very fine impression with woodgrain showing on all blocks. Fine colour. Centre fold (evident if held to light), otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga with Yutaka seal.   Status: Sold  

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. A small tanzaku showing bats flying against a full moon above a lumberyard. A poem reads: “The colour of the bats’ wings was born in darkness.” Published c. late 1830s. Rare: Another impression is illustrated in Japanese Prints IV – Hiroshige and the Utagawa school, the Rijksmuseum, 1984, 46 61:35, p. 35.     Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.     Status: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. A chu-tanzaku showing sparrows and poppies. Published by Kawaguchiya Shozo, c. late 1830s. A poem: Tori tonde (tobite) / abunaki keshi no / hitoe kana, “ A bird flying by / poses danger to poppies / with single layers of petals.” The same poem is used on another chu-tanzaku showing a bluebird and poppies, see MET Museum, JP2532. Other impressions of this print are in Honolulu Museum of Art, 18009; MFA, Boston, 21.8018; Chazen, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1980.1887.     Very good impression and colour. Very small expertly restored wormholes, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.     Status: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. A tanzaku showing a parrot perched on hanging ivy. Published c 1830s by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo).     Fine impression and colour. Centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.     Status: Sold    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. A koi, carp (Cyprinus carpio) swimming amongst reeds. Poem by Makuzu. From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c. 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry group (probably the Shingyoku Circle) with judges’ names and with extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were made and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this second set was commissioned. This is the very rare first edition with the reeds printed. Block defect showing but with gradation still on belly of fish. One of the finest designs from the two series. Very rare. Kruml 12a     Fine impression. Slight fading and edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Without centre fold (in itself rare as they often have them). Signed Hiroshige hitsu.     Status: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. A kami, crab (Charybois), and saba, mackerel (Scomber Japonicus), together with two flowers of morning glory. Poem by Shichichintei. This is the first edition (Kruml 19a). From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c. 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry group (probably the Shingyoku Circle) with judges’ names and with extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were made and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this second set was commissioned.     Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold

Imao KEINEN (1845-1924)

 Click here to view image full size. Probably the best known artist of his time and famous for his realistic depictions of birds and flowers. Two koi or carp swim beneath a rock with an overhanging white mountain rose. Ink, colour, gofun and gold on silk. Original mount with ivory rollers. A double kiri-wood box inscribed by Keinen’s son Keisho with date Showa 13, 1938 and a guarantee of authenticity. He entitles the painting Nobara yuri, “Koi playing under a wild rose.” Image size: 44.5 x 14.5 in; 113 x 36.5 cms. Slight crease, otherwise good condition. Signed Keinen. Status: Sold  Click here to view image full size.  Click here to view image full size.

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare aiban print showing a shimadai, grouper, (probably Chilodactylus zonatus) and an aji, horse-mackerel, (Caranx trachurus). From a set of eight prints of various fish published c. late 1830s.   Fine impression and colour. Slight soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Kitao MASAYOSHI (1764-1824)

 Click here to view image full size. A falcon and camellia. One design from the album: Kaihaku raikin zui, A Compendium of Pictures of Birds Imported from Overseas. The first edition published by Gungyokudo Matsumoto Zembei, 2 Copies of the first two editions are excessively rare and it was then reissued with the plates signed Keisai (as here). However this print does not appear to be from an album and judging from the quality of printing must be from the first printing with signature and when some prints were issued separately. Designs that appear on the market from this publication are invariably on thin paper and poor impressions. Fine impression with beautiful gradation and blind printing. On thick deluxe hosho Fine colour. Very minor soil, otherwise fine condition. Signed Keisai Utsusu. Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. Koi, carp (Cyprinus carpio) from the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Circle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. Poem above by Makuzu. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were printed and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this first series was published commercially and a second set was commissioned. The best design from the second set. Other examples: Vignier and Inada, Vol. VI, pl. LXIX, no. 265 and Tamba, no. 424.   Very good impression. Early state: See Andon 49, Hiroshige: A shoal of red herrings, number 12. This is Kruml c with the b Ichiryusai seal. Fine colour. Slight trimming left and top, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.   Status: Sold  

Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)

 Click here to view image full size. Cuckoo and azaleas 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 was published by and has the seal Eijudo. A later edition (as here) 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. Slight fading, otherwise very good condition. Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu. Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. Tobiuo, flying fish (probably Prognichthys) and ishimochi also called guchi or shiroguchi, white croaker, (probably Argyrosomus argenatus). Together with a single lily. Poem by Toshigaki Maharu. From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c1840-42.The first series was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Circle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were printed and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this first series was published commercially and a second set was commissioned. Fine, early impression with mica on the flying fish. Fine colour and condition. Full size and no centre fold. Signed Hiroshige ga in blue (which I have never seen).   Status: Sold  

Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760-1849 )

 Click here to view image full size. 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

Keisai EISEN ( 1790-1848 )

 Click here to view image full size. 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

Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)

 Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych of a carp leaping a waterfall. Published by Kansendo, c 1830 – 44. Illustrated Keisai Eisen: Artist of the Floating World, Chiba City Museum of Art, 2012, p. 240, pl. 313. Very good impression, colour and condition. This was a popular design and later impressions are common. Signed Keisai hitsu with large red artist’s seal Eisen. Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. Awabe or tokobushi, abalone or “sea-ear” ( Haliotus tuberculata ) and sayori, Japanese half-beak or snioe-fish ( Hemirhamphus sayori ), Together with peach blossom. Poems by Kumogaki Fujimi and Miwagaki Mimiki. From the first series of ten plus one prints published by Eijudo c. 1832-34. The set was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Circle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were printed and they never come onto the market. Extremely rare early state before the kiwame and large Eijudo seal. Kruml a/b Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. Kurodai, black sea bream ( Acantho pagus schlegeli ) and akadai, red bream ( Pagus tumifrons ) together with bamboo shoots and Japanese pepper. Poems by Tomigaki Uchiyasu and Kaoan Hoshi.. From the first series of ten plus one prints published by Eijudo c. 1832-34. The set was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Circle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were printed and they never come onto the market. Fine, early impression before the grey block defect on the tail of the black sea bream. Full size. Kruml 10b. Signed Ichiyusai Hiroshige. Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. Ise-ebi, spiny lobster or crawfish ( family Panulirus ) and shiba-ebi, shrimps. Poems by Ryokujuen Motoari and Toshihiro Machikado. From the first series of ten plus one prints published by Eijudo c. 1832-34. The set was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Circle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were printed and they never come onto the market. Very good impression and colour. Full size. Kruml 4c. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold