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Hida, kago-watashi, “Basket Ropeway in Hida [Province]” from a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. Originating in China, Japan and northern India, travellers could cross deep ravines by suspending themselves in a harness which evolved into a basket.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Izumo, taisha Hotohoto no zu, “Izuma [Province], Hotohoto Festival at Izumo Shrine.” Shows pilgrims to the oldest Shinto shrine in Japan. A heavy mist scene with the torii gate seen to the right. Every year from the 11th to the 17th day of the 10th lunar month (usually November) all Shinto’s deities from around Japan supposedly assembled here. It is also the shrine to visit in the hope of finding a partner. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing and very small wormhole at extreme edge of margin, top left, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Omi, Biwako Ishiyamadera, “Ishiyama Temple and Lake Biwa in Omi [Province].”From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. Moonlight on Lake Biwa is one of the iconic Eight Views of Omi.

Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Nihonbashi yukibare, “The Nihon Bridge, Clear Weather After Snow.” From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1856). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi. Number 1 from the set and a view of the Sumida River with Mt. Fuji in the distance. This is the starting point for the Tokaido Road.

Fine, early impression with gradation on the roofs and on Mt. Fuji. Fine colour. Margins trimmed a little, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Iyo Province, Saijo. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. A large furled sail in the foreground with Saiju village on the water’s edge. Beyond is Mt. Ishizuchi.

Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Hoki, ono Daisen enbo, “Hoki [Province], Distant View of Mount Daisen.” Shows rice-planting in the rain, with the volcanic mountain in the background. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

Very fine impression: This is the true first edition: Impressions with the bands of blue and yellow in the sub-cartouche are often catalogued as first editions but the impression must also have gradation on the top of the embankment at the bottom. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Kozuke, Harunasan setchu, “Kozuke [Province], Mount Haruna Under Snow.” From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. A red bridge spans a gorge leading to the Buddhist Haruna shrine. Below is a fast flowing river with precipitous cliffs. Fantastic crags point upwards into the sky and in the distance is the dormant volcano Mount Haruna.

Good impression and colour. Slight soil on bottom left margin, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Mimasaka, Yamabushidani, “Mimasaka [Province], Yamabushi Valley.”A high wind and rain in the valley with a man on a raft on the Yoshi River. Other figures in the foreground, one having lost his hat. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Shinano, Sarashina tagoto no tsuki, Kyodaisan, “Shinano [Province], the Moon Reflected in the Sarashina Paddy-fields, Mount Kyodai.” This was a popular destination for outings to view the multiple reflections. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853.

Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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Sumidagawa hazakura no kei, “Cherry Trees along the Sumida River” from a Toto meisho “Famous Places in the Eastern Capital” set of ten prints published c 1831-2 by Kawaguchiya Shozo. Hiroshige’s first landscape set. The first editions, as here, have decorative borders adding a western element into the design. These were removed on later editions. There are also variant states with different shading. Rare.

Fine impression and colour. Backed, otherwise very good condition. Prints from this set are often missing or have the publisher’s name and address on the right border trimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Hiroshige ga. (The last set to be signed like this.)

Status: Available

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Oki Province, Takuhi Shrine. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. The prows of two boats near the island of Nishinoshima. A torii seen at the top of the print indicates the Takuhi Shrine, one of the most important shrines dedicated to the gods of the sea.

Fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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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.

Fine impression and colour. Probably the earliest printing. Slight trimming on right margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Available

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A snow scene: Yushima Tenjin sakaue chobo, “Hilltop View, Yushima Tenjin Shrine.” The shrine is dedicated to scholars and is near Ueno Park. From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1856). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death, and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

Status: Available

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Oi, a suburb of present day Ena City, is in the southern foothills of the central mountain range now known as the Japan Alps. Shows a group of travellers heavily protected against the snow and cold. From Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). One of Hiroshige’s most famous designs.

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

Status: Available