Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)

Click here to view image full size. Somen no taki, “The Wheat Noodle Waterfall.” From a set Nikkosan meisho no uchi, “Celebrated Views in the Nikko Mountains.”Two travellers admire the fall from below. On a ledge above them is a stone statue of Jizo Bosatsu, the deity of travellers. From a set of five prints: It was probably intended to be a set of three prints but another two were added, possibly with the intention of going on to emulate Hokusai’s waterfall set. Published by Yamamotoya Heikichi (Eikyudo) c. 1843-47. In contrast to Hokusai’s set, Eisen’s have a more muscular appearance. See: The Japanese Print: A New Approach, J. Hillier, Bell & Son, 1960, Chapter XVI, where Jack Hillier discusses Eisen and his landscapes and considers this set “… is perhaps the crowning achievement of his career as a designer of landscape prints.”   Fine impression. (Late impressions are not known of this set, probably due to not having the popularity of Hokusai’s set.) Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Keisai Eisen utsusu.   Status: Sold    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)

Click here to view image full size. Nikko Shimofuri no taki, “Shimofuri Waterfall in Nikko” from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, the “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859-1861 (this being 1859).     Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)

Click here to view image full size. Gathering iwatake, rock tripe or rock mushrooms in Kii Province. The common name for various edible lichens that grow on cliffs. The gatherers used precarious baskets that were hauled up and down the cliff face to collect them. Kishu Kumano iwatake tori from Shokoku meisho hyakkei. “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” Published by Uoyei 1859-1861 (this being 1860).     Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold    

BUNSEI (Active c. 1830 -1844)

Click here to view image full size. A complete set of Eight Views of Xiaoxiang, modern Hunan Province, China. These eight views were taken up by Japanese artists such as Hiroshige and transposed to Japan becoming sets like the Eight Views of Omi, etc. Bunsei was a pupil of Tani Buncho. He seems to have made a speciality of this subject and there is a slightly larger version set of the same subject. Published c. 1830s. Provenance: Ex Hayashi with his seal on most of the designs. Rare complete.    Very good impressions and colour. Minor edge wormage, othwerwise very good condition. Each signed Bunsei.    Status: Sold Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size.

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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: Sold  

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)

Click here to view image full size. A snow scene: Imadobashi Matsuchiyama, “Imado Bridge and Matsuchi Hill.” From Toto sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of the Eastern [Edo] Capital.” The set published by Ai-To between 1861-1862 (this being 1862). Hiroshige I also designed a number of prints of the same area. The bridge goes over the Sanya Canal. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1829-1869)

Click here to view image full size. Shinshu Suwa-ko yatsume akauo wo to (ru). Shinshu (Shinano) Province from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, “Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” An uncompleted set of 81 prints published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859-1861 (this being 1860). A winter scene showing figures catching lampreys, eels and red rockfish in Lake Suwa. The lake was unusual in having warm currents beneath the ice, even in mid winter. Fine impression of first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Kai Otsuki no hara, “Otsuki [“Great Moon”] Plain in Kai Province.” The most popular print from Fuji sanjurokkei, “The Thirty-six Views of Fuji.”Published by Tsutaya Kichizo, 4 A distant view of Fuji with a stream meandering amongst wild flowers. Some of them are from the Seven Herbs (Nanakusa) of Autumn, being: pampas grass, susuki, yellow patrinia, ominaeshi, bellflowers, kikyo, and wild carnations, tokonatsu. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Fujieda from Tokaido gojusan tsugi, “The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.” The set of fifty-five prints was published jointly by Hoeido and Senkakdo in 1834. Shows porters unpacking at the relay station. It was here that fresh horses could be obtained, luggage weighed, labour arranged, and payments made. Hiroshige’s most famous set that was reprinted many times. Fine early impression: The porter just off-centre rubbing his back with a towel has a small area on his head that does not print on the earliest impressions, which was later corrected. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Fujieda from The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido published by Marusei, Maruya Seijiro, 1847-52. Called the Reisho Tokaido because of the angular style of Kanji used. Travellers huddled against the rain on a narrow path. One of the best designs from the set. Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858) and Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)

Click here to view image full size. A triptych from a set: Furyu Genji: Akashi. An evening scene showing Genji’s secret lover Lady Fujitsubo and an attendant watching the departing Prince Genji walking through the reeds of Akashi Bay. Based on the famous Genji monogatari written by the 11th century noblewoman and lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu. Published by Iseya Kanekichi 1853. Fine impression. This is the early state with gradation over the moon. Fine colour. Very slight trimming and retains album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga and Toyokuni ga. Status: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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  

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Ishiyakushi from an aiban set Tokaido gojusantsugi no uchi, commonly called the Gyosho Tokaido because of the cursive script on title. Shows travellers entering and leaving the village in heavy snow. Published by Ezakiya Kichibei/Yamadaya, c. 1841-2. There are variant states: later editions lack the gradation on the horizon. The first state may have a Hiroshige seal after the signature. Very good impression and colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Kikukawa EIZAN (1787-1867)

Click here to view image full size. A triptych showing a street thronged with people in front of the famous department store Iwaki Masuya, giving a good cross-section of the inhabitants of the city at this time. The store specialised in silk and textiles and was one of the most important in Edo having, at one point, 500 employees in its stores. Hiroshige designed another triptych of this subject in c. 1850.     Published by Mikawaya Seiemon, c. 1815. Rare.     Fine impression. Extremely fine fresh colour. Fine condition. Full size. Signed Kikukawa Eizan fude.     Status: Sold    

Suzuki HARUNOBU (1724-1770)

Click here to view image full size. An hosoban mizue, “water print” showing the poet Ariwara no Narihira (825-880) in a boat with his companions gazing at a pair of miyakodori birds inspiring his poem (shown in the poem-slip top right) asking the birds if his lover is safe. From a set Mukashi otoku, “Once There Was a Man,” illustrating episodes from the Ise monogatari. Mizue prints were produced in almost translucent washes without a black outline and had a vogue around 1762-1764 bridging the gap between two and three colour printing and full polychrome printing pioneered by Harunobu. This is only one of two designs surviving from the set. For another impression see The Harunobu Decade, David Waterhouse, Hotei publishing, 2013, no. 24, p. 54 (where the birds are not visible, but Waterhouse surmises [correctly] that they are there). Unidentified publisher’s seal c 1762-64. Rare. Very good impression. Possibly the waves and other small areas were printed using the dayflower which was notorious for rapidly fading to a puce colour when exposed to light and moisture. In fact, there are very few mizue prints extant where the fugitive pigment is still visible. Otherwise very good colour and condition. Signed Harunobu ga. Status: Sold    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Toto Sukiyagashi, “Riverbank at Sukiya in Edo,” from the set Fugaku sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” Shows the snowy banks of the moat around Edo Castle (now the Imperial Palace) with Mount Fuji in the distance. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo (Koeido), 1858. Very fine early impression. Fine colour. Minimal soil bottom right margin. Large margins. Fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold   

Utagawa TOYOKUNI II (TOYOSHIGE) (1777-1835)

Click here to view image full size. Meisho hakkei: Oyama yau, “Eight Celebrated Views: Night Rain at Oyama” in the oblong title cartouche and written below it: Juzan Fudo yori chojo no zu, “View of the Peak from Fudo.” Shows Mount Oyama in heavy rain with the Oyama-dera Temple dedicated to the Buddhist deity Fudo Myoo. Mount Fuji is seen in the distance. The “Eight Views” theme originates from 11th century China and the scenery of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers made famous by the scholar-painter Song Di. Here Toyokuni sets the views in Kanagawa. Published by Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo) c early 1830s. There are two editions of this set: one with regular block script in title cartouche, the other with cursive script (as here). Is in unclear which is the earliest. Cursive script is extremely difficult to read now but in 1830 it was no problem; certainly, with this design, the cursive script edition has superior gradation. However, comparison between editions on some other designs in the set show them to be almost identical, consequently it seems that the two states are almost contemporaneous and which is earlier is a moot point. One of the great 19th century landscapes.Fine impression. Fine colour with the title cartouche still retaining some purple which is famous for fading to a puce colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni hitsu. Status: Sold    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Harima Tatsuyama, “Mount Tatsu [Dragon] in Harima [Province]” from a set of twenty prints Sankai mitate zumo, “Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Sea.” A fanciful and imaginative title lacking in other Hiroshige sets. Comprises of ten prints of mountains and ten prints of harbours. Published by Yamadaya Shojiro, 1858. The title is in a wrestling umpire’s fan (gunbai). Very fine impression of the first edition. Later printings have a solid red in the title cartouche instead of variegated colour and lack other subtleties. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold and minimal soil bottom left margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Okute from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “The 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). Shows woodcutters making their way home as evening approaches.   Fine impression: There is a plug of wood next to the last rock on the right. This repair gradually reveals itself and moves out leaving a gap. On the earliest impressions, as here, nothing is discernible. Slight fading of red, otherwise fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)

Click here to view image full size. A view of a smoking Mt Asama, Shinano Province, from Shokoku meisho hyakkei, the “One Hundred Views of Famous Places in the Provinces.” Mt Asama is an active volcano which violently erupted in 1108. Subsequently there was another eruption in 1783 and since then there have been minor tremors. Published by Uoya Eikichi between 1859 and 1861 (this being 1859).   Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. 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