Torii KIYOMASU I (Active c1700-1722)


Torii-KIYOMASU-I-1700-to-1722-actors8

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The actor Nakamura Takesaburo playing a female itinerant tea vendor. A pair of panniers is slung across his shoulders holding the paraphernalia for tea making including, in the lower sections, a brazier and water jug. Published c1716-20 by Sagamiya. Published in Yamaguchi and Asano ( 1982 ), Moronobu – Harunobu, vol.6 of the Complete Dictionary of Ukiyo-e, Tokyo, Shogakukan, pl.86, p.46. Probably the only known impression extant.

Very good impression with fine contemporary hand-colouring. Expertly restored corners and areas at left and bottom edges. One repaired wormhole beside the hand holding the bamboo rod. Signed Torii Kiyomasu hitsu.

Status: Sold

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    Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)


    Ichieisai-YOSHITSUYA-1822-to-1866-actors7

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    A print from a set of three with title: Sanshibai mitate tako, “Parody of the Three Plays Shown as Kites”. Shows various kite designs together with accoutrements to kite flying. The actors image/s together with other clues gave the name of the play which would have been obvious to the public at the time. Published 1862. Unidentified publisher. The only time I have recorded this print.

    Good impression and colour. Some soil and small restorations, otherwise good condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga.

    Status: Sold

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      Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (1822-1866)


      Ichieisai-YOSHITSUYA-1822-to-1866-actors6

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      A print from a set of three with title: Sanshibai mitate tako, “Parody of the Three Plays Shown as Kites”. Shows various kite designs together with accoutrements to kite flying. The actors image/s together with other clues gave the name of the play which would have been obvious to the public at the time. Published 1862. Unidentified publisher. The only time I have recorded this print.

      Good impression and colour. Some soil and small restorations, otherwise good condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga.

      Status: Sold

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        Katsukawa SHUN’EI (1762-1819)


        Katsukawa-SHUNEI-1762-to-1819-actors5

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        The actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Yasukata performing a vigorous hobby-horse dance in Godai Genji mitsugi no furisode. Published by Tsuruya Kiemon c1790-91. Ex Tamba collection (seal bottom right).

        Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Shun’ei ga.

        Status: Sold

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          Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)


          Taiso-YOSHITOSHI-1839-to-1892-actors4

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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. Extensive burnishing. Gofun oxidised (as usual). Slight offsetting of blue pigment, otherwise very good condtion. Signed Gyokuo Yoshitoshi hitsu.

          Status: Sold

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            Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)


            Taiso-YOSHITOSHI-1839-to-1892-actors3

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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

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              Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)



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              A beauty in sumptuous clothing from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. The inset view here shows dyer beetles being collected in Yamashiro Province. Yamashiro ebizuru mushi. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.

               

              Superb impression, very fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

               

              Status: Sold

               

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                Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)



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                A beauty in sumptuous clothing from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. The inset view here shows the making of tie-dyed cloth in Bungo Province. Bungo shiborizome. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.

                 

                Superb impression, very fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                 

                Status: Sold

                 

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                  Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)



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                  A beauty in sumptuous clothing from a fine set of seventy numbered prints with title: Sankai medetai zu, “Excellences of Mountain and Sea.” The set compares busts of beautiful women with various products and occupations from the provinces of Japan. The inset view here shows crabs being caught in Nagato Province. Nagato kani. The set published 1852 by Sano-ya Kihei.

                   

                  Superb impression, very fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                   

                  Status: Sold

                   

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                    Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)



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                    A lively design showing Ichikawa Danjuro VII in the role of the loyal warrior Arajishi Otokonosuke Terumitsu fighting a giant rat in the cellar beneath the women’s quarters of the Ashikaga Palace. This scene, Yukashita no Ba, is from the play Date kurabe okuni Kabuki performed at the Kawarasaki-za Theatre, 3/1829. Shortly afterwards, the rat escapes down a hole in the hanamichi pathway, only to re-emerge in a cloud of smoke as the arch-villain and master of the black arts, Nikki Danjo. Published by Eikyudo (Yamamoto Kyubei) 1829.

                     

                    Fine impression, colour and condition on an extra large sheet of hosho. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.

                     

                    Status: Sold

                     

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                      Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)



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                      A fine surimono showing the actor Danjuro VII casting roasted beans from a tray he holds in his left hand. This ritual called setsubun, “end of winter” was performed in the precincts of temples in the Spring (although now takes place in February). He wears the well known Shibaraku costume with the large mimasu crests. Two poems above by Shiseido Sutena and Hoichitei Masunari. The latter being a member of the Taiko-ren, Drum poetry club. Their symbol top right corner. Issued c 1822. Illustrated in colour on the front cover of Art of the Surimono, Theodore Bowie, Indiana University Art Museum, 1979. Rare.

                       

                      Superb impression with extensive gold and silver. Perfect colour. Light Japanese backing and slightly trimmed at left. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.

                       

                      Status: Sold

                       

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                        SESSHUNSAI (Dates unknown but active c 1800)



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                        An extremely rare early Osaka hosoban showing the actor Asao Tamejuro II (1779-1806) standing before a broken barricade in the role of Yamashiro Kantsubo in the play Meiboku sendai hagi. This artist and print appear to be unrecorded. Published by Houki (Honya Kichisai), c early 1800. A wonderful design. Many thanks to Hendrick Luhl for his help on this print.

                         

                        Very good impression and colour. The fujitive background aobana, dayflower pigment, intact except for one small area affected by moisture visible au verso. Very good condition. Signed Sesshunsai ga with seal unread.

                         

                        Status: Sold

                         

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                          Jokei RYUKOSAI (Fl. c 1772-1816)



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                          The most important and influential Osaka artist of the late eighteenth century. An innovator whose style may well have influenced such artists as Shunei and Sharaku. His prints – mostly hosoban – are all of the utmost rarity. Indeed, it is thought they originally formed triptychs but, so far, no complete design has been located. The oban design offered here is even rarer, there being only two other impressions known: Illustrated in colour, pl. 13, in Kamigata Ukiyo-e Nihyaku-nen Ten, “200 Years of Kamigata Ukiyo-e,” Susumu Matsudaira, 1975; and pl. 43, p. 56, catalogue of exhibition Ukiyo-e of the Kamigata Area at the Osaka Museum of History and Yamaguchi Prefectural Hagi Uragami Museum, Kitagawa Hiroko, 2014. Shows five actors. From right to left (rear): Nakamura Kyojuro, Arashi Sangoro III, Kataoka Nizaemon VII and (front): Asao Tamejiro I, Ichikawa Danzo IV. Published c 1790 by Ki.

                           

                          Fine impression. Very good colour. Small areas of contemporary hand colouring to face and costume of Tamejiro. Slight folds and small sumi mark bottom left, otherwise very good condition. Probably full size. Signed Ryukosai ga.

                           

                          Status: Sold

                           

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                            Jokei RYUKOSAI (Fl. c 1772-1816)



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                            The most important and influential Osaka artist of the late eighteenth century. An innovator whose style may well have influenced such artists as Shunei and Sharaku. His prints – mostly hosoban – are all of the utmost rarity. Indeed, it is thought, as here, that they originally formed triptychs but, so far, no complete design has been located. The unsigned left panel of a triptych published 1/1793 showing Onoe Shinshichi I (Fujaku) as Isshiki Yukinokami in the play Keisai yanagi sakura. The play involves the rescue of the Ashikaga Shogunate through the efforts of Yukinokami in uncovering a usurper’s plot. The hero stands in a snowy garden holding a fragment of a handscroll he has been found reading. Of the utmost rarity: Only a few impressions are known and there are two states: As here without role above and published by Osakaya Sashichi and with the calligraphy and published by Shiocho.

                             

                            Fine impression, colour and condition.

                             

                            Status: Sold

                             

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                              TOGAKUSAI (Active c 1782)



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                              An extremely rare and early Osaka hosoban (probably unrecorded) showing the actor Kano Hinasuke I (who later became Arashi Koroku III) standing on large geta and holding an umbrella. Published by Shioki-han (Shioya Kisuke), c 1782. The poem above is signed using the actor’s hango Arashi Minshi. Only a few designs are known by this artist. Many thanks to Hendrick Luhl for his help on this print.

                               

                              Very good impression and colour. Some wear and tear which has been skilfully restored. On very thin paper. Signed Togakusai hitsu with seal Sadakuni.

                               

                              Status: Sold

                               

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                                Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)



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                                An exceptionally rare original double-sided woodblock. On one side is the key-block showing Ichikawa Danjuro VII as the strongman, “chikaramochi,” Ura no Kingo. On the other is the key-block showing Iwai Kumesaburo II as the female acrobat, “karuwazashi,” Tamamoto Kosan. The play is Fujikawabune noriai banashi performed at the Nakamura-za Theatre, 5/1826. The block measures 8.5 x 10.75 x .75 in; 21.6 x 27.3 x 2 cms. The two images signed Gototei Kunisada ga. In very good condition but with obvious minor damage. Sold “as is.”

                                 

                                Status: Sold

                                 




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                                  Okumura MASANOBU (1686 – 1764)



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                                  A hosoban showing the fight between Ushiwaka Maru ( Yoshitsune ) and Benkei on Gojo Bridge ( 1170 ). Arguably the most influential figure in ukiyoe, reputedly being the innovator of colour printing. An urushi-e, coloured by hand in yellow, tan, lilac, gofun and heavy sumi over embossed lines. Published c 1725. Ex collections Tony Straus-Negbaur and Walter von Scheven ( 1878 – 1950 ) and purchased by him at Cassirer & Helbing, 1928, lot 64, ( from Tony Straus-Negbaur ). Extremely rare.

                                  Very good impression. Slight soil and small repaired edge wormholes. But generally very nice condition for such an example. Signed Okumura Masanobu hitsu.

                                  Status: Sold

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                                    Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)



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                                    Saito Toshimoto and a Chinese general struggling underwater. The second best design from Taiheiki yeiyu den, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki.” Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi, 1848-9. Robinson S62.31.

                                    Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                    Status: Sold

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                                      Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)



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                                      Sasai Kyuzo Masayasu enveloped in smoke and avoiding musketry at the battle of Anegawa ( 1570 ). The best design from Taiheiki yeiyu den, “Heroic Stories of the Taiheiki.” Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi, 1848-9. Robinson S62.36.

                                      Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                      Status: Sold

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                                        Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)



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                                        The battle of Miidera Temple. An early triptych, c. 1820-25. The temple became very prosperous but was at constant war with its rival, the Hieizan. Both temples kept armies of mercenaries. Published by Yamamoto-ya Heikichi. A later edition is illustrated in Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Exhibition to Commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s Birth, Nagoya City Museum et al, 1996, no. 5, p. 36. Probably Robinson T6.

                                        Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                        Status: Sold

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                                          Torii KIYONAGA (1752 – 1815)



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                                          A chubby red Kintaro acting as an umpire for two battling tengu. Other tengu in baskets behind him and at his side a bear also watches. These tengu – winged, beaked and clawed creatures – lived in the mountains and forests. It is narrated that as a toddler he was observed shaking and tearing at a large tree in which there was a nest of tengu fledglings, which he took home in a basket. Kiyonaga designed at least 28 of these Kintaro prints, see Kiyonaga, Chie Hirano, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 1939, nos. 979 – 1006 ( this being 1005, PLLXV ). Published by Nishimura, 1812. Rare.

                                          Very good impression and colour. Minor edge soil and signs of mounting au verso. Signed Kiyonaga hitsu.

                                          Status: Sold

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                                            Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)



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                                            Takatsuna’s greatest exploit: Shown here ( centre ) swimming with his horse across the swollen Uji River to attack Kiso no Yoshinaka. His rival Kagesuye ( left ) and Shigetada further off to the right. Published by Yenshu-ya Hikobei 1849. A wonderful design. Robinson T217.

                                            Superb impression. Very fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                            Status: Sold

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                                              Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                              Shows the young warrior said to be as strong as an ox Sen-Kanja Usjiwaka Saburo Yoshitora. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ).

                                              Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                              Status: Sold

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                                                Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                Shows Ake Tamanosuke, a famous rider and archer with a wooden statue of his mentor Kansho behind him. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).

                                                Fine impression and colour with mica ground. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                Status: Sold

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                                                  Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                  Shows the boisterous Koo-maru, also known as “Hyonosuke” the Leopard Kid. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).

                                                  Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                  Status: Sold

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                                                    Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                    Shows Rokugi Suginosuke Norifusa, a robber-chief and magician, also known as Tengu-jiro as he could fly like the tengus. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ).

                                                    Fine impression and colour with mica. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                    Status: Sold

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                                                      Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                      Shows Akashi Shiganosuke, the notoriously strong Yokozuma sumo-fighter, holding an opponent at bay with one hand. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ).

                                                      Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                      Status: Sold

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                                                        Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                        Shows Oshima Tanzo, a member of the robber-chief Shindo Kajiro Nobuyuki’s tribe. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).

                                                        Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                        Status: Sold

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                                                          Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                          Shows the robber-chief Shindo Kojiro Nobuyuki being asked by the monkey spirit of Shinohaza to avenge his murder by Inaba Taro. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1867 ).

                                                          Fine impression and colour with strong burnishing. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                          Status: Sold

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                                                            Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                            Shows Kinezumi Konoshi Kaiden, the muscular monk, killing a monstrous wild cat that had tormented a village. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).

                                                            Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                            Status: Sold

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                                                              Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                              Shows Sangoku Taro who travelled through India and China learning conjuring tricks. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7 ( this being 1866 ).

                                                              Fine impression and colour with mica ground. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                              Status: Sold

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                                                                Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                                Shows Satami Jirotaro Yoshishige collecting the head of his adversary Awa Katsegura that his faithful dog has retrieved. From the fine chuban set of fifty prints Biyu Suikoden, “Handsome Heroes of the Water Margin” published by Omiya Kyujiro, 1866/7.

                                                                Fine impression and colour with gauffrage on the dog and mica ground. Very good condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.

                                                                Status: Sold

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                                                                  Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                                  The best design from the set Tsuki hyakushi, the “Hundred Phases of the Moon”. The set published between 1885 and 1892 ( this being 1886 ) by Akiyama Buemon. Shows Benkei, at the prow of the ship holding Yoshitsune, attempting to pacify the ghosts of the Taira warriors and hence calm the storm in Daimotsu Bay.

                                                                  Very good impression and colour. Full margins with extensive mica. Offsetting visible au verso, otherwise very good condition. Signed Yoshitoshi.

                                                                  Status: Sold

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                                                                    Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                                    The monkey battles Kinkaku Daio on a sea cliff from the rare set of eight prints: Tsuzoku Saiyuki, “A Modern Journey to the West.” Based on Wu Cheng’en’s ( 1500-1582 ) most famous novel, Journey to the West, which was translated and condensed by Arthur Waley and entitled Monkey. This is probably the finest design from this high quality set. Published by Fukuta, 10/1864 ( this design 2/1865 ).

                                                                    Superb impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi ga.

                                                                    Status: Sold

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                                                                      Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769 – 1825)



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                                                                      A complete diptych showing Kagekiyo and Mihonoya no Shiro battling. This is an episode from the beginning of Chapter 5, “The Dropped Bow” in book 11 of the Heike Monogatari, “ Tales of the Heike.” This episode, which took place in 1184, has the Genji warrior Mihonoya no Shiro confronting the Heike Kagekiyo on the beach at Yashima. Published c 1815 by Yamamotoya Heikichi.

                                                                      Fine impression and in exceptional condition. Fine colour with large borders left and top. Signed Toyokuni ga.

                                                                      Status: Sold

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                                                                        Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                                        Lu Ta ( Lu Chi Shen ) demolishing the gate of the temple of the Five-Crested Mountain. A Chinese captain, he accidentally killed a man and to escape death he became a priest at the temple. The abbot cut his hair and renamed him Lu Chi Shen, “Lu of Deep Wisdom.” However, quickly disregarding priestly vows, he became violent again and drank heavily. Staggering back one night he shattered the temple gate fighting the huge wooden guardian figures. The abbot dimissed him and he reappears as one of the 108 heroes of the Suikoden. Published by Matsui 1887.

                                                                        Very fine impression of the earliest state of the first edition with blind printing and burnishing. This design was reprinted by Hasegawa with seal in upper left margin “Reproduction not permitted” and lacking date. Also, the lovely pigment used to colour the torso of the guardian figure ( which oxidizes ) is replaced with an inferior colour . There are also intermediate printings between first and Hasegawa version. Fine colour. Fine condition with left margin intact: These vertical designs must have the left border uncut as it often contains publication information. Signed Yoshitoshi.

                                                                        Status: Sold

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                                                                          Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                                          Sakata Kintoki asleep in Raiko’s chamber preparing to rid him of the monstrous spider. From Yoshitoshi manga, “Sketches by Yoshitoshi.” A fine set of seven diptychs published by Kobayashi 1885-86 ( this being 1886 ).

                                                                          Very fine impression of the first edition; the spider’s web printed in silver and with burnishing. Fine colour and 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

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                                                                            Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839 – 1892)



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                                                                            Murai Choan murders his brother at the crossroads of Fudanotsuji from Shinsen azuma nishiki-e, “New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures.” Published 1885-9 by Tsunashima. Choan is a character in a Kabuki drama but there is no mention of him killing his brother – artistic license.

                                                                            Very fine impression of the first edition ( with three-colour cartouche and yellow borders ). Fine colour and as originally published with no backing paper, with the margins completely untrimmed, and plenty of space for joining. Signed Yoshitoshi.

                                                                            Status: Sold

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                                                                              Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)



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                                                                              A fine and very rare vertical triptych of Mongaku ( Endo Morito, c. 1120 – 1200 ) subjecting himself to three years penance as a Buddhist monk beneath the waterfall of Mount Nachi in Kii Province. Morito inflicted this punishment on himself because he had inadvertently cut off the head of Kesa Gozen, the wife of the palace guard Watanabe Wataru, with whom he was in love. At the top of the design is Fudo Myo-o, the guardian deity of waterfalls, and at the bottom and top right are Seitaka and Kongara ( doji of Fudo ). This subject lends itself to some wonderful designs: See this website for a rare horizontal triptych by Yoshitoshi , and there are many single sheets by various artists. The vertical triptych format is rare: It was more convenient to view prints in the horizontal and it was difficult to insert into albums, the top sheets having to be heavily trimmed to fit. ( This impression is as published – completely untrimmed. ) Published by Sumiyoshiya Masagoro, c. 1851. Ex B. W. Robinson collection. This impression illustrated in his book Kuniyoshi, The Warrior Prints, 1982, pl. 64 ( Robinson T253 ). Another example of the same state – ex Pulverer collection – is illustrated in Heroes and Ghosts, Robert Schaap, p. 1998, no. 87, p. 102.

                                                                              Fine impression and colour. Minor creases, otherwise very good condition. Untrimmed with extra paper for the sheets to join. There are two states of the print: As here with an extra block printing the waves at base of fall, and without. Both are known as fine impressions, although the version without appears to be slightly earlier. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.

                                                                              Status: Sold




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                                                                                Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1832 – 1892)



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                                                                                Shows Uesugi no Terutora, best known as Kenshin, riding into battle through clouds of smoke from the set Yoshitoshi musha burui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” He is best known for his long standing conflict with Takeda Shingen. For a time the two champions met every year, the campaigns always ending indecisively. Published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro, 1883 ( reprinted by Tsunajima Kamekichi ). Probably the best design from this excellent set.

                                                                                Very fine impression of the first edition with two small red seals in left margin, complete date, original publisher and three-colour cartouche. There are a number of later editions of this set. Very fine colour. Album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Taiso Yoshitoshi ga.

                                                                                Status: Sold

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