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Iki Shisaku, “Shisaku in Iki [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 1856. A heavy snowfall over Iki island which lies to the northeast of the Kyushu coast in southern Japan.

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

Status: Sold

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Kai, Saruhashi, “Kai [Province], Monkey Bridge” 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. The bridge spans the Katsura River and is an example of the hanebashi method of construction whereby cantilever beams are set in the opposing cliff faces. Called the Monkey Bridge because monkeys are originally supposed to have strung themselves across the gorge.

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

Status: Sold

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Mino, Yoro no taki, “Mino [Province], Yoro Waterfall” 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. The 32 metre fall is 4 metres wide and is located in Yoro Park, near Nagoya.

Very fine impression and colour with blind-printing on the fall. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Awa, Naruto no fuha, Naruto Whirlpools, Awa [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 1855. The finest print from the set and one of Hiroshige’s most important designs. The phenomenon is caused by the tides that move large amounts of water through the Naruto Strait into and out of the Inland Sea.

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

Status: Sold

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The lumberyard, Fukugawa, 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. 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. 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 forcing the government to move the yards to Fukugawa.

Very good, early impression. Very good colour. Trimmed close at bottom. Otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Wakasa, Gyosen karei-ami, “Fishing Boats and Flounder Nets in Wakasa [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. Fishing in Wakasa Bay. The highway between the Wakasa ports and Kyoto was nicknamed the “Mackerel Highway” because of the quantity of fish that was transported.

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

Status: Sold

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Oji Shozoku enoki, Omisoka no kitsunebi, “Foxfires on New Year’s Eve at the Shozoku Hackberry Tree, Oji,” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “The One Hundred Famous Views of Edo,” published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1857). This is the only design from the set where Hiroshige uses historical fantasy: Every New Year’s Eve foxes gathered at the ancient enoki tree to pay their respects to their fox patron in the nearby Inari shrine at Oji, in northern Edo. The shrine was dedicated to the god of the harvests and farmers would predict the outcome of a harvest by the amount of kitsunebi (fox flames) they saw emitted by the foxes. A popular print from the set.

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

Status: Sold

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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: Sold

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Mino, Yoro no taki, “Mino [Province], Yoro Waterfall” The 32 metre fall is 4 metres wide and is located in Yoro Park, near Nagoya. 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, very early impression with extensive blind-printing on the fall. Fine colour. Some wrinkling of the large margins, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Mikawa, Horaiji sangan, “Mikawa [Province], Horai Temple.” The temple is situated in the Horai mountains. The 425 steps are shown here leading up to the temple. 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: Sold

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Shibaura, shiohigari no zu, “Low Tide [or Ebbtide, or catalogued in some instances as Shell-gathering] at Shibaura” from a Toto meisho “Famous Places in the Eastern Capital” set of ten prints published c. 1831-2 by Kawaguchiya Shozo. Hiroshige’s first oban landscape set with some outstanding designs. Shibaura is now an area with high-rise residential towers. The first editions, as here, have decorative borders adding a western element into the designs. These were removed on later editions. Extremely rare in this state.

Fine impression and colour. Very minor edge soil and slight centre fold. Slight trimming of decorative border on left, 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: Sold

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Susaki yuki no hatsuhi, “Snow on New Year’s Day at Susaki” from a Toto meisho “Famous Places in the Eastern Capital” set of ten prints published c. 1831-2 by Kawaguchiya Shozo. Hiroshige’s first oban landscape set with some outstanding designs. Fukagawa Susaki was a spit of land along Edo Bay. (Also the subject of the Eagle design, Jumantsubo Fukagawa Susaki, from the One Hundred Views of Edo later on.) The first editions, as here, have decorative borders adding a western element into the designs. These were removed on later editions. Extremely rare in this state.

Fine impression and colour. Very minor edge soil and slight centre fold, 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: Sold

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A chu-tanzaku print, Natsu, Ryogoku no tsuki, “Summer Moon at Ryogoku Bridge” from a set Shiki Koto meisho, “Famous Views of Edo in the Four Seasons.” Published by Kawaguchiya Shozo, 1834-5.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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A triptych, Takanawa tsuki no kei, “Moon at Takanawa” from a set Edo meisho shiki no nagame, “Famous Places of Edo in the Four Seasons.” Shows beauties on the veranda of an inn overlooking the bay. Takanawa was a popular place to visit with views on a clear day of the Boso mountains across Edo Bay. Hiroshige depicted this area many times. Published by Maruya Jimpachi (Enjudo), 1847-8.

Very fine impression. Fine colour. Minor trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Fukagawa, Suzaki, Juman-tsubo, “The One Hundred Thousand Tsubo Plain, Suzaki, Fukagawa” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). An eagle hovers over the snowy coastal plain, Mt Tsukuba and the Chiba mountains in the distance. Collectors at the beginning of the 20th century considered this the pre-eminent design from the set. Since then Ohashi has replaced it.

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

Status: Sold

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Atago shita Yabukoji, “Bamboo Lane Below Atago Hill” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). A snow scene showing figures beside a stream, Atago Hill was to the right and lay just outside the northeast corner of the mansion of the daimyo of Minakuchi. It was the highest natural point in Edo.

Superb impression of the extremely rare first edition. Very fine colour. Left corner margin expertly restored, otherwise fine condition. Large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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A snow scene: Fukagawa kiba, “Fukagawa Timber Yards.” The yards date back and are the result of the Meireki fire of 1657. Large amounts of wood was required for expanding Edo and the wood yards were moved to this area of swampland east of the Sumida River. 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: Sold

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Asakusa Kinryuzan, “The Kinryuzan Temple at Asakusa” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1856). A snow scene showing the oldest Buddhist temple in the city, the Sensoji or Asakusa Kannon, built on the low hill of Kinryuzan. Shows the Kaminarimon gate with the huge lantern with one character of the name shinbashi (a donor’s organisation).

Very good early impression and colour. Before the square plug becomes evident on the bottom left. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Shoheibashi Seido Kandagawa, “Seido Shrine and Kanda River Seen from Shohei Bridge.” The scene under light rain and is near present day Akihabara. From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1857). 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.

Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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The great shrine at Izumo, Izumo, taisha hotohoto no zu from Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Views in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” The set published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, 1853-6 (this being 1854). Shows a group of three young women bringing offerings to the Shinto shrine. A large cryptomeria tree in the foreground and other figures, trees and a torii in the misty background. The main deity of the shrine is Okuninushi no Okami, patron of good relationships and marriage (which probably accounts for the women’s visit). A beautiful design when well printed.

Fine early impression: Should have applied bokashi across the foreground area, as here. Fine colour. Slight vertical crease in left margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.

Status: Sold

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A snow scene: Meguro taikobashi yuhi no oka, “Drum Bridge and Sunset Hill, Meguro” from Edo meisho hyakkei, “The Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” Shows the valley of the Meguro River with travellers crossing the stone bridge, Yuhi Hill to the left. Stone bridges were uncommon in Edo because of the risk from earthquakes. Published by Uoya Eikichi between Ansei 3 and 5 (1856-58). This design dated Snake 4 (1857).

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

Status: Sold

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Masaki yukibare no zu, “Clear Weather After Snow at Masaki” from a Toto meisho, “Famous Sights of the Eastern Capital” set published by Kikakudo (Sanoki), the seal in red in right margin, c 1832-35. (Late editions have the seal in black.) There is confusion over how many prints belong to this series: The original set of twenty-one prints seems to have been extended to fifty-five in c 1839-42. The temple, under a deep layer of snow, is shown on the far shore. In the foreground two figures in yellow straw coats navigate the river.

Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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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, c 1851-2. 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 good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold

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Fukagawa, Suzaki, juman-tsubo, “The One Hundred Thousand Tsubo Plain, Suzaki, Fukagawa” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). An eagle hovers over the snowy coastal plain, Mt Tsukuba and the Chiba mountains in the distance. Collectors at the beginning of the 20th century considered this the pre-eminent design from the set. Since then Ohashi has replaced it.

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

Status: Sold

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Sakasai no watashi, “Ferry at Sakasai” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, the “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1858, this being 1857. The set shows famous sights, popular annual events, and festivals in and around Edo in the four seasons. Two Chinese egrets are seen flying down to join other egrets on the Nakagawa. The ferry is seen in the background.

Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.

Status: Sold