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Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Kameyama, yuki-bari, “Clear Weather after Snow” from the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido. The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo in 1834. One of the finest designs from the set showing a daimyo’s courtege moving up to the 16th century castle.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An excessively rare triptych showing the interior of a large mansion where a private performance of Kabuki interlude plays is being performed. Some of the most famous actors of the day are shown: Bando Mitsugoro III, Iwai Hanshiro V, and Ichikawa Danjuro VII. One of Hiroshige’s earliest prints published c 1818-20 when Hiroshige was 22-24 years old. Two other impressions appear to be known: The Tamba impression illustrated in The Art of Hiroshige, Tsuneo Tamba, 1965, no.122, p.58; and the Suzuki copy illustrated in Utagawa Hiroshige, Juzo Suzuki, 1970, no.86, which is the impression shown in the Memorial Exhibition of Hiroshige, Number Eighteen, Ukiyo-e Art, The Japan Ukiyo-e Society, 1968, no.1.
Good impression and colour. Some small areas of expert restoration, otherwise good condition. Signed “By special request” Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Hamamatsu from the “Reisho” Tokaido. So-called because of the titles written in formal script. The best Tokaido set after the Hoeido. Shows a pilgrim standing centre with sea-weed gatherers on right. Some boats out in a choppy sea. Published by Marusei c 1851-2. One of the five best designs from the set.
Fine impression and colour. Two paper flaws top left border, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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The Nunobiki waterfall in the Nikko mountains, Settsu Province, from the rare, early set: Honcho Meisho, “Famous Places of Japan.” Published by Fujiokaya Hikotaro, c 1837-9. Fifteen designs are known plus another three which were probably published around 1832. Compare with Keisai Eisen’s design of the same subject. A fine composition.
Fine, early impression. ( The example in Juzo Suzuki, Utagawa Hiroshige, 1970, no.139 appears to be a slightly later state with variant gradation on the waterfall. ) Fine colour. Expert repair top left corner outside image and slight thinning left margin. One small wormhole repaired, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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The poet Li Po ( Japanese: Ri Haku ) admiring the Lo-shan Waterfall. The finest design from the rare nagaban series of ten prints: Shika shashinyo, the “Poets of China and Japan.” ( But without interpreting specific poems. ) Published by Moriya Jihei, c 1833. Li Po is shown in deep contemplation of the waterfall, being held back from toppling over by two small acolytes. One of the great Hokusai designs.
Very good impression. Slight fading and very slight fold mark. Untrimmed. ( There appear to be variations in colour on impressions known of this print. ) Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu no fude
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Otsuki-no-hara, Kai, Otsuki field from the set Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” One of the most desirable designs from the set. Shows autumn grasses and flowers with a small brook and Fuji in the distance. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858.
Fine impression and colour. Minimal margin soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Geisha coming and going through the stone torii leading to the Yasake Shrine, popularly known as the Gion Shrine from the district it is located in. This being one of the major entertainment quarters of Kyoto. Gion-sha setchu, “Gion Shrine in Snow” from a fine set of ten prints: Kyoto meisho no uchi, “Famous Places in Kyoto,” published by Eisendo c1834. Extremely rare in this first edition state.
Very fine impression. The first state of the first edition: With subtle bokashi graded
either down ( as here ) or up on the roofs and with the publisher’s seal printed in blue
in right margin. Second state with much blacker bokashi and generally darker overall,
with blue publisher’s seal. Third state lacks bokashi but still has blue publishers’s
seal. Subsequent editions lack the publisher’s seal in right margin. Very fine colour.
Small printer’s crease top left corner, otherwise perfect condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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The village of Ryudo in snow. Ryudo shoto, “Pines and Waves at Ryudo” from Ryukyo hakkei, the “Eight Views of the Ryukyo Islands” published c1831-32 by Eijudo. An archipelago of 55 islands which was annexed to Japan in 1879.
Very good impression and colour. Small repaired binding holes at left edge, and one or two minor marks, otherwise good condition. Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu ( in red
cartouche upper left corner ).
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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Oiwake from the Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). In the distance is Asama-yama, Mount Asama, a volcano which erupted in 1783. It also emitted debris in 1894 and 1900. This is the extremely rare first edition with signature Keisai and seal bottom left. ( Not in Ukiyo-e Taikei .) Unidentified collector’s seal au verso.
Fine impression and colour. Minor edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Keisai ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Fuchu from the “Reisho” Tokaido. So-called because of the titles written in formal
script. The best Tokaido set after the Hoeido. Shows travellers coming and going at the entrance to the licensed quarter of Fuchu, the old capital of Suruga Province, becoming Shizuoka City in 1868. Published by Marusei c1851-2. One of the five best designs from the set.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Hakone from the “Reisho” Tokaido. So-called because of the titles written in formal
script. The best Tokaido set after the Hoeido. Shows travellers holding pine-torches
climbing a mountain path at night. The Hakone Mountains were one of the most gruelling parts of the Tokaido, but at the same time one of the most relaxing with the hot springs, Lake Ashi and the fine cryptomeria trees. Published by Marusei c1851-2. One of the five best designs from the set and probably the masterpiece. The composition and use of kimetsubishi to show the woodgrain in the night sky and mountains makes it one of Hiroshige’s most beautiful prints.
Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Full moon at Takanawa. A bijin seated beside her palanquin at a tea house. A mitate set: Edo Murasaki meisho Genji, “Murasaki’s Genji in Famous Places of Edo.” Based on the Genji Monogatari with stylised clouds above and below in Yamato-e style. Published by Kinseido c1849-53. A very rare set: Late impressions being unknown.
Fine impression and colour. Light crease in left and right margin, otherwise fine
condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Katsushika HOKUSAI (1760-1849)
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Fuji seen from the second floor of the Mitsui clothing store just north of Nihonbashi (
which became the Mitsubishi department store of modern times ). This was considered a fine spot to view a snow-capped Fuji on New Year’s Day, and Hokusai suggests this with the kites being flown. The signs on the gateposts, left and right, state: “Payment in cash” and “No padded prices.” From Hokusai’s most famous series: Fugaku sanji-rokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” The set of 46 prints published by Eijudo c1830-32. Extremely good provenance: From the Louis Gonse collection ( seal au verso ), sold lot 111, p.36, 1st Part, 1924. One of a large group from this set, obviously from the same original source.
Fine, beautiful clean impression. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold, otherwise very
good condition. Full size. Signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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A rainstorm at Suhara. One of the most important compositions from the Sixty-nine
Stations of the Kisokaido. The set started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835; but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). Suhara is located below Agematsu in the Kiso Valley and is subject to torrential rain in the summer months when humid air from the coastal plains hits the cooler air of the mountains. There are variant states of this design with differences in colour and gradation. This is an early impression.
Very good impression. Slight fading, otherwise very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Nichiren struggling up a snow-covered mountain near Tsukahara on the Island of Sado. The best design from Koso goichidai ryakuza, the “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder.” Published by Iseya Rihei, c 1831. Like many great landscapes, there exist different states which causes confusion over which is the earliest. The basic difference is that the design is known with and without a horizon line and that there is at least one impression where the uninked, blind-printed line can be seen in a raked light. It has been asserted that those impressions without are the earliest; however, it seems from this that the sumi block was probably cut initially with the line but the publishers quickly realised it looked aesthetically better without printing it, and it was subsequently removed. In any case, this is an extremely rare print and most surviving examples appear to be similar in impression. There is a break in the border to the left of the bottom of Kuniyoshi’s signature which could give a guide to the earliest states, but as this is often painted in, it is not reliable. The print offered here is printed with the mountain coloured brown and the overall effect is more dramatic than other impressions and appears to be the only such example, being the one illustrated in various publications. The composition is based on a design in the illustrated book Bunpo sansui gafu by Kawamura Bunpo, published posthumously in 1824. Although not from a landscape set this is considered one of the great 19th century landscapes. Provenance: Ex collection Willibald Netto, Dusseldorf, Germany.
Very good impression and colour with extensive splashed gofun ( now oxidised ). Minor marks and edge soil. Small repair top right corner, but generally very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi hitsu.
Status: sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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A rare triptych showing a multitude of pleasure boats enjoying the cool of the evening on the Sumidagawa. Ryogoku Bridge in the background and exploding rockets above. This was a subject that inspired numerous artists and depicts the essence of ukiyoe. No doubt the public were meant to identify some of the figures in the foreground vessels. Published c late 1820s. Publisher Yamashiroya Shojiro Yasuko.
Very good impression and colour with the fugitive blue and purple intact. Slight soil on centre sheet otherwise very good condition: Full size with extra paper all round. Signed Keisai Eisen ga.
Status: sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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The priest Nichiren having his prayers for rain answered. The second best design from Koso goichidai ryakuzu, “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder”. This event happened at Ryozengasaki in Kamakura in 1271. Nichiren 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 c 1831 by Iseya Rihei.
Very fine impression of the earliest printing. Fine colour. Extra large margins. ( This design is notorious for having the umbrella trimmed off and/or the title in right margin. ) Very minimal soil bottom right margin, otherwise fine condition. The best example of this fine design I have ever seen. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Bizen, Yukazan. A figureless snow scene and the best design from the set of twenty prints entitled: Sankai mitate sumo, “Mountains and Sea Contending like Wrestlers”. The title in an umpire’s fan used for wrestling matches, top right. The set published and sealed Horse 7 and 8 ( 1858 ) by Yamadaya. ( Happer lists it as the previous Horse Year 1846. ) The set is divided into ten designs of mountains and ten prints of harbours.
Fine impression of the first edition ( variegated cartouche ). Fine colour. Very slight centre fold and the usual oxidation, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Autumn moon at Ishiyama, Ishiyama no shugetsu, from the set of eight prints: Eight Views in Omi Province published 1834 by Hoeido. “Eight Views” was borrowed from Chinese poetry and each print conveys, pictorially, the kyoka poem written in the square label at the top right. To the left, hidden in trees, is the temple where Murasaki Shikibu ( c 978 – c 1014 ) wrote her great novel Tales of Genji. The scene shows Lake Biwa, Seta Bridge and Mount Hira on the horizon. Hiroshige probably never surpassed the ethereal, figureless quality this set possesses.
Very good impression, colour and condition with good margins. The top-left mountain always shows slippage of the blue block on this design. The set was advertised as a “work in black and white, lightly coloured” and early states have a very limited palette. Later editions of this design incorporate green and brown into the cliffs on the left. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Mochizuki, one of the most important compositions, from the Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). Mochizuki means full moon and this station was named thus because the horses of the imperial court, which were grazed in open pasture in the mountains above this spot, were returned to court on the fifteenth of August, the day of the first autumn full moon. Like other major designs in the set, there exist numerous states with differences in printing. Early editions should have gradation on the mountains to the right. There is scope for research on the differences on major designs in this set.
Fine early impression with strong wood grain showing in the sky. Fine colour. Almost invisible centre fold. Left margin trimmed close, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Nagakubo, one of the most important compositions, from the Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). Shows a full moon over the River Ida. Like other major designs in the set, there are numerous states with differences in printing. Early editions show the mountains subtly printed – and also the figures on the bridge – grading off to the right with crisp seals. Later editions lack the mountains and a darker sumi is used.
Very good, early impression. Very good colour. Centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Mount Fuji as seen from the sea off Tsukudajima, Tsukuda oki kaisei no Fuji, from Toto Fujimi sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji from the Eastern Capital”. An uncompleted set published by Murataya Jirobei, c 1843-5. This stunning composition has European elements ( and supposedly the cartouche was inspired by the coat of arms used by the Dutch for the City of Batavia ( present day Jacarta, Indonesia ). The first edition. In the second the poem is removed and the title moved slightly to the left. But both are of the utmost rarity and one of the three great Kuniyoshi landscapes: Apart from the Bidwell impression ( most commonly illustrated ), there is one copy in the Tokyo National Museum ( 2nd Edition ); another ( ex Blondeau ) is illustrated by Suzuki; and one is in the Victoria and Albert Museum ( 2nd edition ). So there appear to be at least four impressions extant ( apart from this ). Illustrated in: Prints By Utagawa Kuniyoshi – Bidwell Collection, 1968, no 81, p. 97
Heroes and Ghosts, Robert Schaap, 1998, no 222, p.199 ( Bidwell impression ); Kuniyoshi, Nihon Keizai Shimbun inc, 1996, no 197, p. 146 ( Bidwell impression ); Utagawa Kuniyoshi 1797-1861, Riccar Art Museum, 1978, no 19 ( Bidwell impression ); Kuniyoshi, Juzo Suzuki, Heibonsha Ltd., 1992, no 29 ( ex Blondeau coll. ); T.N.M.C. ( vol. 3 ), no 3043 ( 2nd edition ).
Fine early impression with woodgrain evident. Fine colour. Margins trimmed but retaining border. Collector’s seal Hayashi bottom left corner and another unidentified seal bottom right corner. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Seba from the Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). Seba literally means ‘washing the horse’ and this is the place where Minamoto no Yoshinaka ( 1145-84 ) was once supposed to have cleaned his horse in the River Narai which meanders through the plains near Lake Suwa. The men on boats appear to be trying to reach Seba before nightfall. The masterpiece from the set. Numerous states exist of this print and there is not enough room here to go into them all: Some impressions have grey/black clouds above, some blue; some have a red cloud across the moon; some have the sky printed yellow towards the left, etc. Later editions have the trees removed on the horizon and lack the stripes in the water.
Good impression; very good colour. Minimal edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Oiso from the Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido. The set published by Hoeido and Senkakudo c 1833-4. Shows travellers entering the coastal village under rain and a yellow sky. Hiroshige’s title for this design: ‘The Rain of Tora’ is a reference to the tearful Kabuki play concerning a prostitute Tora and her child.
Very good impression and colour. Minimal edge soil and uneven trimming of margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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Snow at Suidobashi from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ‘One Hundred Views of Musashi’ ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.
Fine impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition with mica added. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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‘Evening Rain at Kozumi’ Kozumi no yau from the early set Kanazawa hakkei, ‘Eight Views in Kanazawa’ published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, c 1835-6. This is an extremely rare and fine set and examples in good condition are very difficult to find. 31-syllable waka poem above.
Very good impression. ( Later states have a mountain range printed in the background and different colour scheme. ) Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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The Kegon Waterfall from the set: Celebrated Views in the Nikko Mountains published by Yamamoto, c 1844. The set obviously inspired by Hokusai’s earlier waterfall set of eight prints, but impressions are rarer indicating it may not have been so popular.
Very good impression and colour. Slight soil around edges and thinned area in top margin. Signed Keisai Eisen utsusu.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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‘Evening Snow at Uchikawa’, Uchikawa bosetsu from the early set Kanazawa hakkei, ‘Eight Views in Kanazawa’ published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, c 1835-6. This is an extremely rare and fine set and examples in good condition are very difficult to find. 31-syllable waka poem above. One of Hiroshige’s finest compositions.
Fine impression, colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Ueno sannai, Tsuki-no-matsu, ‘Moon Pine, Ueno Temple Precincts’ from Meisho Edo Hyakkei, the ‘One Hundred Views of Edo’ published by Uoei between 1856 and 1858 ( this being 1857 ). One of the best designs from the set.
Fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Slight toning, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Aoigaoka HOKKEI (1780-1850)
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Izu, Goseiki no Mida, A boat navigating a rocky promentary from Hokkei’s most famous series: Shokoku meisho, ‘Famous Views of the Provinces’ ( here Izu Province ) published by Eijudo and Nakamuraya Katsugoro, c 1830’s. This set of long, narrow, large-tanzaku format prints is one of the finest landscape series by any artist and is extremely rare. The complete set of thirteen prints is listed in Images from the Floating World, Richard Lane, 1978, p. 254. I have located images of 7 from this set but am unable to find the others at the moment. ( Images found for: Lane 3; 4; 5; 6; 8; 9; & 13. )
Very good impression and colour. Minor soil and small expert repairs at top two corners, otherwise good condition. Signed Hokkei ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Hira bosetsu, ‘Evening Snow at Mount Hira’ from the vertical Omi Hakkei set, ‘Eight Views of Omi [ Lake Biwa ]’, published by Uoya Eikichi, Snake 7, 1857.
Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Several minor marks and lower margin trimmed slightly, otherwise fine. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Karasaki yayu ‘Evening Rain at Karasaki Pine Tree’ from the vertical Omi Hakkei set, ‘Eight Views of Omi [ Lake Biwa ]’, published by Uoya Eikichi, Snake 7, 1857.
Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Slight trimming of margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Yabase kihan, ‘Fishing Boats Returning to Yabase’ from the vertical Omi Hakkei set, ‘Eight Views of Omi [ Lake Biwa ]’, published by Uoya Eikichi, Snake 7, 1857.
Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Slight trimming of margins, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Shotei HOKUJU (active 1787-1818)
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Kai no kuni Saruhashi no shinsha no zu, ‘A True View of the Monkey Bridge in the Province of Kai’. An impressive wooden bridge spans a deep chasm. It was called the ‘Monkey Bridge’ because the original rickety, plank structure was so precarious that only an agile monkey could cross it. Hokuju produced a number of these westernised landscapes and this design is one of the very best. First edition published by Nishimuraya Yohachi, c 1815. It is also known with a variant colour scheme.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Extremely full size with extra paper around. Signed Shotei Hokuju ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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Wada from the Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido. The set was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseiri ( Kinjudo ). Wada is the highest point on the Kisokaido and Hiroshige shows travellers traversing the snow covered pass. One of the major designs from the set.
Very fine early impression. Fine colour. Slight moisture blemish at top edge and slight soil top right margin. Imperceptible centre fold and slight trimming of margins at left and right, otherwise a fine example of this design. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
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Tsukudajima gyoshu, ‘Fishing Boats at Tsukuda Island’ from Toto sanjurokkei, the ‘Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital’ published by Se-To between 1859-1862. Shows tall vessels in the foreground and cormorant fishermen in the distance.
Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Minimal wormage in right margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)
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Shitaya, Hiroko-ji ‘Hirokoji Avenue, Shitaya’ from Toto sanjurokkei, the ‘Thirty-six Views of the Eastern Capital’ published by Se-To between 1859-1862. Shows figures struggling in a blustery shower.
Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Minimal wormage in right margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.
Status: Sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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A masterly design showing a view of Matsuchi Hill and the Taiko Bridge in winter, looking across the Sumida River with a ferry-boat in the foreground. Published Meiji 29 ( 1896 ).
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kiyochika.
Status: Sold
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)
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An excessively rare original sketch-book with MS. Diary at the end recording the last part of a trip Hiroshige started April 2nd 1841 from Edo to Kofu, this covering Nov. 13th ? Nov. 22nd 1841. Sumi on paper vigorously drawn and annotated with names and memoranda in Hiroshige?s writing. 7.75 x 5 inches containing 38 pages, two blank, with inscription on cover: ?Memories of Travel?.In slip-case inscribed HIROSHIGE/K.M.C. ( presumably the owner after Dr. J. Hutchinson ). Ex collections Mr Wilson Crewdson and then Dr. Jonathan Hutchinson FRCS ( vice-president Council of the Japan Society, London ). This diary is fully discussed and catalogued in The Colour-Prints of Hiroshige, Edward F. Strange, Cassell & Co. Ltd., 1925, pps 71-82 and 122-123 and illustrates two double pages. Contents are as follows:
Page(s):
1. Title. Memories of Travel.
2. ( Blank ).
3. Taiko Iwa. Rock called Drum Rock.
4, 5. Mitake Michi, Gedo-no-hara, Koshu. Devil?s Plain on the way to Mount Mitake, Koshu or Kai Province. The rock on the summit of the mountain is called Katana nuki-ishi. ( 2-page. )
6, 7. The view continued from No. 2 ( 2-page. )
8, 9. Kurakake Iwa. Saddle Rock ( 2-page ).
10, 11. Zo-ga-hana. Cliff called Elephant Trunk ( 2-page. )
12. Mitake Omon. Great Gate, Mitake.
13. ( Blank ).
14, 15. Place called Kajikazawa on the bank of the River Fuji, on the way to Mount Minobu. Two houses on the hill are tea-houses. There is an inn in the town. The whole way from this town to Mount Minobu has most beautiful scenery. Both banks are mountains and hills and the River Fuji flows between the mountains. ( 2-page. )
16, 17. Sentaku Ishi. Large flat rock of that name, near Kiri-ishi town, the size of the stone is 4 to 5 Ken ( 1 Ken = 6 feet ) square. ( 2-page. )
18, 19. Biobu Iwa. Screen Rock. ( 2-page. )
20, 21. Kananashi-gawa. The River Kananashi. There are many large willow trees growing on the bank, the scenery is very beautiful. ( 2-page. )
22, 23. Hayakawa. The river of that name. There is a ferry-boat on the main river, but travellers must wade the small branches running on both sides of the main river. ( 2-page. )
24, 25. Ura Fuji. The back of Fuji as seen from Koshu Province. ( Written on this page are poems on Fuji. ) The Dream Mountain is like a dream; it is much more beautiful than I thought. Though people say the ?back of Fuji? yet it is very beautiful as seen from that side, and I regret very much they use the term ?Ura-Fuji?. ( 2-page. )
26, 27. Place called Fujimaki; a fountain fed by a spring. ( Manuscript on the left is a poem. ( 2-page. )
28, 29. ( A steep road winding up the hill, with the back of Fuji seen over peaks of other mountains. ( 2-page. )
30, 31. General view of Takaozan Temple ( Shinto and Buddhist combined ). The details are named:
A) The main shrine, copper roof; the building is painted with cinnabar. B) The Cakudo, Picture Hall. C) Fence painted with cinnabar. D) Shoro; Bell Tower. E) Kagurado; Sacred Dancing Hall. F) Niomon; large Gate with Nio Images. G) Stone Pagoda. ( 2-page. )
32, 33. General view of Kashiozan Daizenji Temple ( Buddhist ).
A) Yakushido; Hall of Yakushi Niorai. B) Highway leading to Enoshima. C) Hojo; Chief Priest?s residence. D) Omon; Gate. ( 2-page. )
34, 35. Sakaori-no Miya ( Shinto Temple ) where the flint stone of Yamatodake-no Mikoto is in existence. ( 2-page. )
36. Zenkoji ( Temple ) Shinano Province. A) Hondo or principal hall. B) Large Bronze Buddha. C) Monasteries ( on the right side are the same ). D) Main Gate. E) Ordinary house. F) Stone pavement about 3 Cho long ( about 648 feet ).
37, 38. MS. Diary. [The translation of which was collated by Strange from versions by Mr Hogitaro Inada; Mr Shozo Kato and Mr Matsuki and follows here ]:
Nov. 13th: Fine weather. Made sumigaki ( black and white design ) for curtain. Was invited by Tsujiya for evening. The fish was good but sake and soba were bad, so speedily left at 10 o?clock. Wrote letter to Yedo.
( 14th. Fine weather. Began to paint curtain, lonesome evening, was invited to Narumiya, the guest was the widow of Yeirakuya of Yokaichi. )
( Above was obtained from other manuscript. )
Nov. 15th: Fine weather. The curtain design was done. Took rest from noon. In evening had sake at Yorozuya?s. Just after Yotsu ( 4 P.M. ) begun to stretch another curtain on frame ready for painting, and then again sake feast.
Nov. 16th: Fine weather, then half cloudy. During morning worked a little on curtain. Had sake feast at Noumiya?s. With some company went to an eel restaurant with Mansada and Genyemon. In evening all went to theatre and saw two acts of play. This was day of great booze.
Nov. 17th: Fine weather. Commenced to paint theatre?s signboard. The screen for Narumiya was done. Worked a little at night. From late evening begun to stretch curtain. Sake feast continued till daybreak, and stayed at his house. During the night, Yeihach?s wife had a child. [ Yeihachi was a friend of Hiroshige.]
Nov. 18th: Fine weather. The signboard for theatre was finished with colouring. There was a great feast in evening.
Nov. 19th: Fine weather. In morning finished all painting work. Wrote bill for the curtain. In afternoon had the parting feast with all our circle of friends. After the baggage was sent out from Narumiya?s and the Yorozuya [ inn ] in the evening drank sake was drunk till late night.
Nov. 20th: Cloudy, snowed little. Left Iseya at about 7 A.M., accompanied Matsumi but parted on outskirts of Kofu, hurried on alone and at evening at 6 reached Kamihanasaki where stopped for night. This lodging was very good. A man from Shinano was companion for the night.
Nov. 21st: Fine weather. Started about same hour as yesterday. Passed Inume and Shigaraki and rested. Sake and soup was poor. At Uyenohara took rest again, and took lunch. At Yose stopped for night at the Inariya Inn. Had to sleep with two other people as aiyado. One was an actor, Tsujiya Hyosuke. Heard the story of Ozawa who attempted a great crime at Uenohara.
Nov. 22nd: Fine weather. Left Yose in morning at 8 o?clock with company of one aiyado of the night before. Took rest several times, drinking sake each time but all were bad. By dusk stopped at Matsumotoya front of Myojin shrine of Fuchu. Sake was very bad.
This may be the last such item to come onto the market.
Status: Sold
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)
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Kyobashi with Tsukuda-jima in the background from the set Musashi hyakkei no uchi, the ?One Hundred Views of Musashi? ( Musashi being the plain in which Tokyo lies ). The set was modelled on Hiroshige?s 100 Views of Edo but only 34 prints were ever produced by the publisher Kobayashi Tetsujiro in 1884/5.
Superb impression of the first edition. Perfect colour and condition with extensive mica. Signed Shinseiro Kiyochika ga.
Status: Sold