Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1890)
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Yugao, the mysterious girl who appears to Prince Genji as told by Murasaki Shikibu in Genji Monogatari ( written c 1000 A.D. ). The set entitled “One Hundred Aspects of the Moon” published by Akiyama Buemon between 1885-92 ( this design being 1886 ).
Very good early impression. Very good colour. Slightly trimmed left margin and light album backing. Signed Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Vertical diptych showing Watanabe no Ttsuna cutting off the arm of the demon Ibaraki at the Rashomon Gate, Kyoto. Published by Matsui 1888 ( Meiji 21 ).
Superb impression, colour and condition of the first edition. All the vertical designs were published by Matsui and many were republished by Hasegawa except Adachi Moor and Inaka Genji. The earliest Matsui impressions are beautifully printed and he insisted his printers use hosho paper ( as on surimono ) for these prints. The Hasegawa edition of this design has a seal “Reproduction not allowed” in upper left margin. It is incorrectly catalogued, no 64, p 87, Beauty and Violence, 1992, which shows a later edition. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Vertical diptych showing Taira no Atsumori and Kumagai Naozane at the Battle of Ichinotani ( 1184 ). Published by Matsui 1885 ( Meiji 18 ).
Superb impression and colour and, apart from slight offsetting, fine condition. The first edition ( indeed this may be the earliest state of the first edition ). Signed Oju Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Vertical diptych showing Taira no Koremochi about to kill the female demon on Mt. Togakushi in Shinano. The episode follows maple viewing when Koremochi fell asleep. The No play Momijigari “Maple Picnic” is based on this story. Published by Matsui Meiji 20 ( 1887 ).
Superb impression and colour. Slight offsetting, otherwise fine condition. The first edition. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Vertical diptych showing Hakamadare Yasuke and Kidomaru fighting with magic. Kidomaru ( below, cross-legged ) holds two wrapped pine branches in his mouth as a spell. Yasuke and Kidomaru are generally considered to be the same person, so why they are depicted here as two individuals is not known. Published 1887 by Matsui.
Very fine impression and colour. Left margin trimmed slightly, otherwise fine condition. The first edition. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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The Monkey battles Kinkaku Daio on a sea cliff from Tsuzoku saiyuki. Published by Fukura 2/1865. A rare set.
Very good impression and colour. Untrimmed with green border intact. Minor marks, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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A fireman from the set: Ohoono daiku matoi, A Mirror of Fireman’s Standards in Each of the Precincts of Tokyo. Probably a set of 10 prints published by Okura Magobei, 10/1876. It is not known why this set is so rare, given that firemen were widely admired and on a par with sumo wrestlers and actors. Each fireman holds his standard; his padded clothes were soaked before a fire.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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A diptych showing Urashima Taro returning home from the palace of the Dragon King from the set Yoshitoshi manga, “Sketches by Yoshitoshi”. Published by Kobayashi, Meiji 19 ( 1/1886 ). First edition. ( It was republished by Hasegawa 1887.)
Very good impression and colour with margin for joining. Minor backed wormhole otherwise very good condition. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Wakashima Gonemon swimming underwater. The finest design from Azuma no nishiki ukiyo kodan, published by Masudaya 1867/11.
Very fine impression with perfect gradation. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Choun riding a horse through smoke. One of the finest designs from Azuma no nishiki ukiyo kodan. Published by Yamajin, 1867/9.
Fine impression and colour. Light crease otherwise very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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Mashiba Dairyo Hisayoshi Ko in lightning. The finest design (together with Kon Sosho and the storm dragon) from Yoshitoshi’s first set of ghost prints: Wakan hyaku monogatari. Published by Daikin, 1865/2.
Fine impression, colour and, apart from minor crinkling, condition. Extensive burnishing and other special effects. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An actor as a tattooed fireman from a set of seven prints Isami no Kotobuki. “A Celebration of Gallantry”. Firemen often had elaborate tattoos to show their indifference to pain. The set published by Daikin 8/1865. Rare.
Very fine impression and colour. On thick deluxe hosho. Gofun oxidised (as usual). otherwise fine condtion. Signed Gyokuo Yoshitoshi hitsu.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An uncut sheet of two chuban prints showing Kobayakaw Saemon Koretaka and Saito Musashibo Benkei from the set: Wakan kidan kagami, “A Comparison of Strange Stories from China and Japan.”” The set published 1880 by Kodama Mathichi.
Very good to fine impression, colour and condition. Variegated cartouche. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An uncut sheet of two chuban prints showing Toki Daishoro and Chinsei Hachiro Minamoto Tameasa from the set: Wakan kidan kagami, “A Comparison of Strange Stories from China and Japan.” The set published 1880 by Kodama Mathichi.
Very good to fine impression, colour and condition. Variegated cartouche. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An uncut sheet of two chuban prints showing Tahara Fujita Hidesato and Kodan Uzaemon Naoyuki from the set: Wakan kidan kagami, “A Comparison of Strange Stories from China and Japan.” The set published 1880 by Kodama Mathichi.
Very good to fine impression, colour and condition. Variegated cartouche. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An uncut sheet of two chuban prints showing Skura Sogo and Sakenomi Doji from the set: Wakan kidan kagami, “A Comparison of Strange Stories from China and Japan.” The set published 1880 by Kodama Mathichi.
Very good to fine impression, colour and condition. Variegated cartouche. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An uncut sheet of two chuban prints showing the Chinese generals Shin Shobu and Tobu Ribu from the set: Wakan kidan kagami, “A Comparison of Strange Stories from China and Japan.” The set published 1880 by Kodama Mathichi.
Very good to fine impression, colour and condition. Variegated cartouche. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)
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The demon Ibaraki of Rashomon ( a gate south of the Imperial Palace in Kyoto ) visits Watanabe no Tsuna disguised as an old woman to retrieve its severed arm. This famous story relates how Watanabe cut off the arm after camping out at the gate to rid the neighbourhood of the beast. ( See below on this website for Yoshitoshi’s vertical diptych of the same subject. ) From Yoshitoshi manga, “Sketches by Yoshitoshi” from a fine set of seven diptychs. Published by Kobayashi 1885-86 ( this being 1885 ).
Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Fine condition apart from one minor mark. As originally published with no backing paper, with the margins completely untrimmed ( often cut in this set ), and plenty of space for joining. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An extremely fine original drawing for the set Kaidai hyakusenso, “One Hundred Aspects of Battle Chosen by Yoshitoshi.” ( Although – for whatever reason – this design was not published [ only sixty-five prints being known ]. ) A set of half-length portraits, mostly of modern soldiers and leaders drawn as historical figures of the medieval period in a semi-western style. The set published by Ohashi 7/1863-3/1869. The drawing in sumi and light colour has been restored and is in good condition and been re-laid onto Seichosen Koso Japanese paper, 14.75 in; 37.5 cms x 10.75 in; 27.25 cms. Sold “as is.”
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A fine original drawing of Masaki Taizen Tokiyoshi from Kaidai hyakusenso, “One Hundred Aspects of Battle Chosen by Yoshitoshi.” A set of half-length portraits, mostly of modern soldiers and leaders drawn as historical figures of the medieval period in a semi-western style. The set of sixty-five prints published by Ohashi 7/1863-3/1869 ( this design published 9/1868 ). The drawing in sumi has been restored and is in good condition and been re-laid onto Seichosen Koso Japanese paper, 10.75 in; 27.25 cms x 10.5 in; 26.75 cms. Sold together with the published print in good condition. The drawing sold “as is.”
Status: Sold
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Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An original preparatory drawing ( hanshita-e ) for an unrecorded and unpublished oban set of Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety. The stories originated in China where filial piety is considered the first virtue ( being common to almost all religions in China ). This drawing obviously depicts Kokaku ( Chinese: Chiang Ko or Jiang Ge ) who carried his mother on his back to escape civil war in their village. Sumi and light brown under-drawing on thin paper. Sold “as is” with some creasing and wormage. Signed Yoshitoshi ( signature c 1887-91 ). Ex collection Mizuno Toshikata
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Looking Itchy: The Appearance of a Kept Woman of the Kaei Era ( 1848 – 1854 ). From the set: Thirty-two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888. Shows a dishabille beauty emerging from a mosquito net. One of the two or three best designs from the set.
Fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition with the extra paper at left edge and the full handling area showing bottom right. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Looking Itchy: The Appearance of a Kept Woman of the Kaei Era ( 1848-1854 ). From the set Thirty-two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888. Shows a dishabille beauty emerging from a mosquito net. One of the two or three best designs from the set.
Very fine impression, colour and condition. Pristine. The first edition. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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One volume Shuzo suiko meimei den, Shohen, “ Portraits of the Characters in the Suikoden, First Series.” Original embossed orange covers with yellow title slip. Inside front cover title and signature within a western-style surround. Preface 6 pp. including two double-page colour illustrations, last sheet dated Keio 3 ( 1867 ). And 18 numbered pages with 36 illustrations of Suikoden warriors on yellow grounds. Inside back cover advertisements. Published by Odawaraya Yashichi, Edo. In extremely good condition. Superb engraving ( by Egawa Ichigoro ). Toda gives a third volume but did not know of a second. Rare.
Status: Sold
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Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Looking Tiresome: The Appearance of a Virgin of the Kansei Era ( 1789 – 1802 ). From the set: Thirty-two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888. The young girl strokes a pet cat.
Very fine impression of the first edition with the cat’s fur strongly blind-printed. Fine colour. Miniscule trimming on left, otherwise very good condition. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An important two-fold screen, Yamatotakeruno mikoto at Mount Azuma. Yamatotakeru was the beautiful but fiery tempered third son of the Emperor Keikou (71B.C.-130 A.D.) He also had magical powers given to him by his aunt. His father decided to send him to the Eastern Provinces to subdue the barbarians. On the way aboard a boat, they encountered a violent storm. His wife, Ota-tachibana, threw herself in the sea to appease the Gods and drowned. Yamatotakeru continues his journey and reaches a rocky landscape. He gazes south east and in memory of his wife repeats three times “Azuma haya” (My wife, alas). Thus the mountain and area became known as Azuma. This is the scene Yoshitoshi depicts with Yamatotakeru surrounded by his entourage, gazing ahead, his long hair flowing. (He was able to pass as a woman in disguise, evidently.) Yoshitoshi had a jagged style of drawing and painting and the multitude of craggy outcrops allow him to fully indulge himself.
Full colour on silk, each panel 39.75 x 25 in; 101 x 63.5 cms. Extremely good condition. Signed Kinzaburo Yoshitoshi ga with blurred seal but reading Go Kaisai. Extremely rare.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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An original painting, Hokosorori zu, showing Sorori Shinzaemon (at bottom) and Toyotomi Hideyoshi (1536-1598). Sororai was a sword sheath maker and otogishu to Hideyoshi (storyteller to attending provincial lords). “Sorori” means smooth and quiet, the name given to him because any sword fit his sheaths so perfectly. The episode depicted concerns Hideyoshi lamenting the fact that his face looked like a monkey. Sorori cleverly tells him that he is lucky that monkeys respect him to such a degree that they try to look like him. Hideyoshi enjoys the reply and inquires what he would like as a reward. Sorori asks him for a grain of rice to be doubled-up every day for one hundred days. After this period Hideyoshi realises his mistake and demands that Sorori change the reward.
Full colour on silk, image size 34.75 x 11.5 in; 88.2 x 29.2 cms. In very good condition. Beautiful mount. Signed Yoshitoshi with Taiso seal.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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“Looking Weighed-down: The Appearance of a Waitress at Fukagawa in the Tempo Era” ( 1830 – 1844 ). From the set: Thirty-two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888. The waitress is shown carrying a tray of rice, sashimi and beans.
Very fine impression and colour of the first edition. A mulberry fibre towards top edge, otherwise very fine condition with margins intact. ( These thread-like filaments of the tree sometimes survived the pulping process – either minute pieces of the outer or inner bark and are often seen. ) Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Available
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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“Looking Suitable: The Appearance of a Brothel Geisha of the Koka Era” ( 1844-1848 ). From the set: Thirty-two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888.
Very fine impression, colour and condition of the first edition. This design is difficult to find in good condition as the [ oxidised ] silver of the first edition on the peacock feathers invariably migrates to other parts of the design, especially if it comes from an album. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Looking chilly: The appearance of a concubine of the Bunka Era ( 1804 – 1818 ). From the set: Thirty – two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888.
Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Preparing to take a stroll: A married woman in the Meiji Period from the set: Thirty –two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888. This popular print shows a lady dressed in the latest western attire.
Fine impression. First edition, second state. Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Looking chilly: the appearance of a cocubine of the Bunka era from the set Fuzoku sanjuniso, the “Thirty-Two Types of Beauty in Daily Life” published by Tsunashima 1888. The first edition.
Very fine impression and colour. Full size with extra paper left and top. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Wanting a stroll. A Meiji beauty in western-style dress from the set Fuzoku sanjuniso, the “Thirty-Two Types of Beauty in Daily Life” published by Tsunashima 1888. The first edition.
Very fine impression and colour. Full size with extra paper left and top. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Smoky. A housewife from the Kyowa era fanning a fire from the set Fuzoku sanjuniso, the “Thirty-Two Types of Beauty in Daily Life” published by Tsunashima 1888. The first edition.
Very fine impression and colour. Full size with extra paper left and top. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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Onoe Kikugoro V as the Hag of Adachi Moor from the Kabuki play Adachigahara (aka Hitotsuya, “The Lonely House”) performed at the Ichimuraza Theatre 4/5/1890. One of a series of three triptychs showing half-length portraits of actors based on the Snow, Moon, Flowers theme. This being Flowers represented by the yugao,”gourds” – moon-flowers. Considered to be amongst Yoshitoshi’s best designs. The Hag was a cannibalistic old woman who preyed on travellers – especially pregnant women. Published by Akiyama Buemon, 1890.
Very fine impression. Mint condition. The best example I have seen. Signed Okokkeidoju Yoshitoshi ga
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)
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A spirited original drawing showing a warrior brandishing a sword and holding a club. Sumi over the typical red underdrawing Yoshitoshi often employed. On thin paper laid onto Japanese paper. Image size 8 x 6 in; 20 x 15 cms.
Status: Sold
Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI ( 1839-1892 )
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A rare diptych showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX as Saijo Takamori ( = Saigo Takamori ) in the play Okige no kumo harau asagochi by the playwright Kawatake Shinshichi II performed at the Shintomi-za Theatre from the 23rd of the second month, 1878. Saigo Takamori was leader of the rebellion against the Meiji government in 1877. Published by Tsuda Genshichi and dated the 15th of the second month, so it was issued as pre-publicity.
Very fine impression of the first edition with variegated cartouche; colour wiped across the background, and the Danjuro 3-chocolate coloured Mimasu bands around the border. The background is also fnely blind-printed. I have located several other impressions ( one in the Bunka digital library ) that are later printings, lacking the embellishments listed above. Fine colour and condition. Signed Oju Taiso Yoshitoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Selected Reference Titles
Listed here are selected titles of reference books that I refer to most regularly – this is not an exhaustive list!
Asano, Shugo and Clark, Timothy, The Passionate Art of Kitagaway Utamaro, Asahi Shimbun, 1995
Forrer, Matthi and Goncourt, Edmond de, Hokusai, Rizzoli International Publications, 1988
Gentles, Margarent O., The Clarence Buckingham Collection of Japanese Prints, Volume 2 Haranobu, Koryusai,Shigemasa, their followers and contemporaries , The Art Institute of Chicago, 1955
Gunsaulus, Helen C., The Clarence Buckingham Collection of Japanese Prints, Volume 1 The Primitives, The Art Institute of Chicago, 1955
Hillier, Jack, The uninhibited brush, Japanese Art in the Shijo Style, Hugh M. Moss Ltd, 1974
Hillier, Jack, The Art of the Japanese Book, 2 volumes, Southeby Publications, 1987
Hirano Chie, Kiyonaga A Study of His Life and Works, Harvard University Press 1939
Keyes, Roger, The Art of Surimono, Privately Published Japanese Woodblock Prints and Books in the Chester Beatty Library, Dublin, Southeby Publications, 1985
Keyes, Roger, The Art of Surimono, two volumes, Southeby Publications, 1985
Koop, Albert J., and Ianda, Hogitaro, Japanese Names and How to Read Them, Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd., 1923
Lane, Richard, Images from the Floating World, The Japanese Print Including a Dictionary of Ukiyo-e, Oxford University Press, 1978
Mitchell, C.H., The Illustrated Books of Nanga, Maruyama, Shijo and Other Related Schools of Japan, Dawson’s Book Shop, 1972
Robinson, B.W., Kuniyoshi, The Warrior Prints, Phaidon Press, 1982
Schaap, Robert, Heroes & Ghosts, Japanese Prints by Kuniyoshi 1797 – 1861, Hotei Publishing, 1998
Suzuki, Juzo, Utagawa Hiroshige, The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, 1970
Tamba, Tsuneo, The Art of Hiroshige, Asahi Shimbun, 1965
Turk, Frank A., The Prints of Japan, Arco Publications, 1966
Van den Ing, Eric and Schaap, Robert, Beauty & Violence, Japanese Prints by Yoshitoshi 1839 – 1892, Havilland Press, Society for Japanese Arts, 1992
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798-1861)
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Kwanyu ( Chin. Kwan Yu ), the celebrated warrior who was deified in 1591 as Kwan Ti, the God of War. Shows the warrior standing on a partially submerged boat, far right, with his long black beard and carrying a huge halberd overlooking the river battle with the Seven Armies of Gi ( Wei ). Published by Tsutaya Kichizo 1854.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)
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The Sumida River in snow from a series of views of the Koto Ward of Edo. This area was bounded by the Sumida to the west and the Arakawa to the east. Shows travellers being ferried across the river. No publisher or date given.
Very good impression, colour and condition.
Status: Sold