Katsushika TAITO II (Active c. 1810-1853)
Click here to view image full size.
An original fan painting, sumi and light colour on prepared paper, 7.5 x 21.5 in; 19 x 54.5 cms. Shows a badger disguised as a priest. This is the same story as is illustrated in Yoshitoshi’s Shingata sanjurokkaisen, “Thirty-six Supernatural Beings in New Forms” showing the badger at Morinji Temple that could turn itself into a teakettle. Taito II was given the go of Taito by Hokusai, whose pupil he was, in 1820. The fan has the original rib marks and has minor wear, but is in generally good condition. The paper treated with mica. Signed Taito hitsu with Hyaku seal.
Status: Sold
Katsushika TAITO II (Fl. c 1810-1850)
Click here to view image full size.
One of the great surimono designs and extremely rare: There appear to be four other genuine examples recorded, apart from this impression, which is from the Vever collection. (See Vever sale, Sothebys, 1977, lot 302. In fact, Vever had two copies. The other sold Vever sale, Sothebys, 1978, lot 231.) The Baur impression. See The Baur Collection, Matthi Forrer, Geneva, 1994, Volume 1, G224, and is also illustrated in the Chiba Museum catalogue, Ukiyo-e bino kiwami, 2001, no. 126. The Chester Beatty impression. See The Art of Surimono, Roger Keyes, Sothebys, 1985, vol. 2, no. 335, p. 384 (ex Gonse). And the MFA, Boston, impression, accession no. 11.20424, ex William Sturgis Bigelow. Three poems by Bunshuro Tomoyoshi, Bunkaro Kiyomaru, and Bumbunsha. Shows a carp swimming down amongst water-weeds and cherry blossom. The carp was a symbol of achievement against adversity in Japan and had a connotation with the new year. In fact, Taito designed another print of a carp amongst water-weeds which is part of a harimaze sheet and is most often encountered with the left calligraphy removed. Issued c 1832 for the Taikogawa Poetry Club. Vever seal bottom right.
Very fine impression with burnishing on the eye and the cherry blossom blind-printed. Fine colour. Minor foxing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Katsushika Taito.
Status: Sold
Katsushika TAITO II (act. c. 1810-1853)
Click here to view image full size.
A carp swimming upwards amongst water plants. Taito designed a number of prints, of which this is one, with an ishizuri-e panel at the left. This is normally cut off ( as here ) and certainly adds nothing to the composition. This design must have been popular as there are a number of different states with different blocks for the water: As here and V & I, Estampes Japonaises, Tomes IV, VI, 1973, pl. LXIX, p. 222; Eight Hundred Years of Japanese Printmaking, Carnegie Institute, 1977, no. 346, p. 87 ( with ishizuri panel ), and there is a copy from completely new blocks. Published by Echigoya Chohachi, c. 1848.
Very good impression and colour. Minor soil. Signed Katsushika Taito fude.
Status: Sold