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The finest design from all the Hiroshige/Kunisada collaborations with the superb snowscape designed by Hiroshige, and the figures by Kunisada. From a triptych series Furyu Genji, “Elegant Genji.” The Tale of Genji was written by Shikibu Murasaki and published in 1021 and follows the life of this multi-endowed character. Published in 1858 by Isaya Kanekichi.

Fine impression and colour. Extensive splashed gofun ( oxidised ). Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga and Kunisada ga.

Status: Sold

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Kameido Tenmangu keidai no yuki, “The Compound of the Tenman Shrine at Kameido in Snow.” From a set of twenty-one prints Toto meisho, “Famous Views in the Eastern Capital” published by Sanoya Kihei, c. 1834-5. The series was extended to fifty-five in c.1839-42. One of the most famous places in Edo. Known for its pergola, two drum bridges, koi ponds and the wisteria which flowered in the fifth month. The main shrine is dedicated to the memory of Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin), the father of Japanese learning and built in 1662. The design comes in various states: Late editions have a black sky and the red publisher’s seal on right margin, is replaced with an abbreviated Sanoki seal in black. Even later editions show a slipping plug becoming evident on the edge of the water, centre left.

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

Status: Sold

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Numazu, Hikure, “Yellow Dusk” from Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.” The set of fifty-five prints was published jointly by Hoeido and Senkakudo in 1834. Shows travellers about to enter the village of Numazu beneath the huge orb of the moon. On each side are dark pines, and this station is famous for its forest which stretches along the seashore. One of the travellers is carrying a red tengu mask on his back, the mark of a pilgrim to the Shinto shrine of Kompira.

Very good impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold and minor repaired wormage on bottom margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Kozuke, Harunasan setchu, “Kozuke [Province], Mount Haruna Under Snow.” From the set of sixty-nine prints, Rokuju-yoshu meisho zue, “Views of Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” Published 1856 by Koshihei, although sealed between 1853-56 (this being 1853). A red bridge spans a gorge with precipitous cliffs and a fast flowing river. Fantastic crags point upwards into the sky. In the distance is Mount Haruna, a sleeping volcano.

Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Sukiya embankment in snow, Toto Sukiya-gashi, from Fuji sanjurokkei, the “Thirty-six Views of Fuji.” The set published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 1858. The rampart on the inner side of the moat of Edo Castle on the right. Figures cross a bridge leading to Sukiya Gate. In the distance the long outer walls of the main residence of the Nabeshima Clan of Saga. Fuji on the horizon.

Fine impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Fulling cloth beneath a full moon. Toi Tama-qawa in Settsu Province from the set Six Tama Rivers. One of the two best designs from the set. Published circa early 1830s.

Fine impression and colour. Minor repair extreme top edge, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. A beautiful print.

Status: Sold

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The cantilevered Monkey Bridge from Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Views in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” Published by Koshimuraya Heisuke 1853-6 (this being 1853). This bridge – one of the three most famous bridges in Japan – is situated in Otsuki and purports to be 1300 years old (albeit rebuilt many times).

Fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Trimmed close, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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A rare triptych showing fireworks over Ryogoku bridge with numerous pleasure boats negotiating the huge trestles of the bridge. A fine design published 1847 – 50 by Sanoki.

Very fine impression. Pristine colour and condition. Totally untrimmed and with deluxe double-printed red. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Fujikawa from the so-called “Upright Tokaido.” One of the two snow scenes from the set. Shows travelers coming and going at the edge of the village. Published by Tsutaya, Hare 7, 1855.

Very good impression with woodgrain evident in the sky. Very good condition with full margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Asakusa Kinryuzan, “Kinryuzan Temple at Asakusa” Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo.” The view shown by Hiroshige is through the Kaminarimon gateway with the large hanging lantern after a heavy snowfall. The great temple, which still stands, was in the northern part of Edo, not far from the Yoshiwara. Published by Uoya Eikichi who published the set between 1856 – 1858 (this being 1856). There are 118 prints in the set plus a replacement design by Hiroshige II. This is one of Hiroshige’s best known designs.

Very good impression, colour and condition. Grain showing on the red wooden post at left and the lines still crisp. On later editions the red and green pigment gets cruder and the sky darker. And even later a slipping plug becomes evident in the blue area at bottom, below the black line at left. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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The Lumberyard, Fukagawa, from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The Hundred Views of Famous Places in Edo.” Shows snow falling on the timber yards lining a river. An umbrella in the foreground is inscribed Uo, “Fish” – a reference to the publisher Uoya Eikichi who published the set between 1856 – 1858 (this being 1856). There are 118 prints in the set plus a replacement design by Hiroshige II. A large supply of timber was needed for the world’s largest wooden city. However, in 1641 a fire destroyed not only houses but the lumber which was then stored in a central area causing the government to move the yards to Fukagawa.

Very good impression, still with the lighter sky: Late editions have a black sky. Very good colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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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. Each print contains a classical 31-syllable waka poem above. Kanazawa sits on the Sea of Japan bordered by the Japan Alps. One of Hiroshige’s finest compositions.

Fine impression and colour. Small restored wormhole bottom edge left, otherwise very good condition.Large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold