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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. Collector’s seal Hayashi bottom right corner.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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A half-block print showing a Japanese cormorant (?) and iris. Printed only in grades of sumi. In fact, this and the other half is illustrated in: Four Hundred Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints From The Museum Of Art, Rhode Island School Of Design, 1990, no. 166, p. 72 which shows fish and hydrangea on the other side. This is an aizuri print. The quality of impression here leads me to believe this might be a proof impression. Published by Shimizuya Naojiro, c early 1840s.

Fine impression, colour and codition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

Status: Sold

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A large panel showing a parrot on a flowering crab apple branch. This is the very rare first edition published by Jakurindo (Wakasaya Yoichi). It was reissued by Kikakudo (Sanoya Kihei). Published c. early 1830s. Hiroshige is rightly regarded as the leading landscape artist. However, many of his finest designs are in the fan (uchiwa-e) and bird and flower (kacho-e) genres. They are not so well known because of their often great rarity.

Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

Status: Sold

A half-block, 8.75 x 6.5 in; 22.5 x 16.5 cms, print showing a Japanese crane standing in water with a flowering plant (a variety of Berberis ?). Published c. late 1840s by Tsutaya Kichizo. Unidentified collector’s seal au verso.

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

Status: Sold

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A third-of-a-block (ko-tanzaku) print, 13.5 x 3 in; 34 x 7.25 cms, showing a sparrow and cherry blossom. Published c. mid 1840s. Unidentified publisher’s seal. These narrow panels are often poorly printed, but not in this case.

Very fine impression: beautiful gradation. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

Status: Sold

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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/b.

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

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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