Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
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The poet Dainagon Tsunenobu ( 1016-97 ) visited by a ghost reciting a Chinese poem by Hakuraten from the set “One Hundred Poems for One Hundred Poets”. The uncompleted set published by Ebine c 1840-42. Robinson S19.71
Very good impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Chooro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
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The highly skilled archer Yorimasa shooting the Nue. This event took place in 1153 when the young Emperor Konoe was suffering from sleep deprivation brought on by hideous shrieks emanating from the roof of the Shishinden Palace. Yorimasa successfully killed the beast ( a composite animal as big as a horse with monkey’s head, back of badger, claws of tiger, scales of dragon and tail of snake ). Published by Soshu-ya Yohei c 1842-3. One of Kuniyoshi’s great designs and rare. Robinson T112.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1798 – 1861)
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Tametomo sinking the foremost ship of Mochimitsu’s fleet with a single arrow. The islanders look on in amazement. Published 1844. Robinson T140.
Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
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
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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Station 41, Kuwana, from the Tokaido gojusan tsui, Robinson 42. The apparition of the Sea-Monk looming above the sea-captain. The best design from the set. Illustrated in Robinson, pl 49. Published c1845 by Kojima.
Fine, early impression with perfect bokashi on the ghost. Fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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The complete set ( two showing ) of 12 prints, tipped-in to a Japanese album, of the set “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Suikoden”. Second edition published by Ibaya Sensaburo c 1845. Very rare complete. Robinson, Kuniyoshi ( 1982 ) S3.
Good to very good impressions. Very good colour. Some slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Each sheet signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A triptych showing Tawara Toda Hidesato riding a giant turtle and escorted by a multitude of fish, crabs, lobsters and octopuses. He is being led away from the Palace of the Dragon King, who he has helped by killing, with an arrow, the terrible centipede, Mukade. The Dragon King ( Ryujin ) rewards him with a roll of silk which could not be shortened by cutting; a bag of rice which could not be exhausted; a cooking pot which would cook food without fire, and a great bronze bell. ( This is the bell that Hidesato presents to the monastery of Miidera from whence it was later stolen by Benkei. ) Published by Maruya Kyushiro, 1858.
Extremely fine, early impression with fine colour. Very slight trimming to first sheet, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Tokiwa Gozen taking flight from the village of Ryumon into the snowy Yoshino mountains. She flees with her three children. From the set: Kenjo reppuden, “Stories of Wise and Virtuous Women”. Published by Ibaya Sensaburo c1841-2. First state with bokashi above. The best design from the set and often reproduced.
Very good impression and colour. Light album backing. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Shows Ono no Komachi ( one of the Six Poets ) praying for rain. Title label reads: Ama koi Komachi. This is one of various presentments of Komachi’s known as the Seven Komachi. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon ( the same publisher as for the Suikoden ), c1837. A rare print not previously recorded by me.
Very good impression and colour. Small backed wormhole top right, otherwise very good condition. Full size. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Chusenko Teitokuson raises his sword with both hands in order to plunge it into the head of a giant snake. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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A heavily muscled and tattooed Roshi Ensei, one foot on the head of an adversary, lifts a huge beam. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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On a river bank a heavily tattooed Senkaji Choo is about to slay the enemy general Hotentei. Above him a supernatural flame plays over the rushing water. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
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A night scene with Kojoso Jisen leaning down from a tree and shining a large lantern over a wall. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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A heavily tattooed Konkoryu Rishun heaves an adversary over his shoulders into a boat while floating in the sea. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Rurihakucho Chojun, half-naked and tattooed with a sword between his teeth, forces apart the bars of a water-gate. From Kuniyoshi’s finest warrior set: “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c1827-1830. One of the finest designs from the series.
Fine impression of first edition. Very good colour. Fine condition and completely untrimmed: Designs from this set are notoriously difficult to find untrimmed due to them being on slightly larger sheets of hosho than normal. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Two foes grappling underwater – possibly Tammeijiro Genshogo and an armoured foeman. From a series ( ? ) enigmatically titled Tosei nama ningyo, “Living Dolls in Modern Days”. Perhaps these are quite literally dolls. Published by Hori Takichi, Dragon 2 ( 1856 ). Not recorded by Robinson.
Fine impression and colour. Bottom right corner repaired, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi 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
Utagawa SADAHIDE (1807 – 1873)
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The battle at Rokuhara in the Taihei war chronicles: Kasunoki Masashige and Ashikaga Takauji who wheeled his troops round on Rokuhara the Hojo headquarters defending Kyoto. Published 1859.
Superb impression, colour and condition. Signed Sadahide ga and Gountei Sadahide ga.
Status: Sold
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA (active mid-19th century)
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A triptych with title: Ryozoku shinzan yojutsu kurabe no zu, “A Picture of the Two Enemies in a Witchcraft Match in the Deep Mountain”. Shows Hakamadare Yasusuke and Kidomaru fighting with magic. Yoshitoshi designed a vertical diptych of the same subject in 1887. Published 1860 by Tsutaya Kichizo. A wonderful design.
Very good impression and colour. Slight trimming and minor corner defects, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichieisai Yoshitsuya.
Status: Sold
Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Makibashira. Sagi-no-ike Heikuro wrestling a giant python in the mountains from the set: Japanese and Chinese Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji. Robinson S88.31. Published by Ise-Yoshi, 1855-56. One of Kuniyoshi’s finest designs.
Very fine impression of the first edition. Mica on the python. Perfect colour. Margins slightly trimmed but otherwise fine. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi 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
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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A rare triptych showing the fight between Ushiwaka Maru ( Yoshitsune ) and Benkei on Gojo Bridge in 1170. One of Kuniyshi’s finest designs. Published by Fujioka-ya Hikotaro c 1840.
Very good impression: First edition with the strong gradation on the wooden pillars of the bridge. Very good colour. Minor soil and other small marks, but generally very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Takeda Sama-no-suke Nobushige from the set Koetsu yusho den “ Stories of Courageous Warriors from the Koetsu Region”. Shows Nobushige enveloped in a cloud of battle smoke. One of the two best designs from the set. Published by Sumiyoshi-ya Masagoro c1848-9.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
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
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU (FI. 1850 – 1870)
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An underwater fight between Saito Toshimoto and Raido Shukakuyoku. The best design from the set Buyu kumiuchi tsukushi published by Maruya Jimpachi 1862.
Very good impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good. Signed Ichikawa Yoshikazu ga.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831 – 1889)
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Shoki the demon quellor. A wonderful image of this famous subject printed almost entirely in red, Extremely rare.
Fine impression: the surface of the paper lightly blind-printed. Fine colour. The bottom edge with light soil and slightly deckled, otherwise fine. Full size. Signed Shoshuosai Toilku ga with seal.
Status: Sold
Utagawa YOSHIFUJI (1828 – 1887)
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The head of the cat-witch of Okabe from the Fifty-Three Stations. The head is composed of convoluted cats’ bodies; the eyes being two bells and the mouth a thick ribbon as worn by cats. The print was published circa 1847 by (appropriately) Kita. Excessively rare and a great 19th century design.
Very good impression and colour. Some small expertly repaired wormholes, otherwise very good condition. Full size. Signed Ipposai Yoshifuji ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Umegaya, Kajiwara Genda Kagesuye fighting at Ikuta-no-mori from the set Buyu nazoraye Genji, “Heroic Comparisons for the Chapters of Genji”, published by Iba-ya Sensaburo, c.1843. Robinson S28.32. O-tanzako format.
Very good impression and colour. Slightly trimmed top and bottom. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Nakamura Kansuke Masatatsu warding off a brazier of hot ashes from the set Seicho gishi shozo, “Portraits of the Faithful Samurai of True Loyalty”. Robinson S78.6. Published 1853 by Sumiyoshi-ya Masagoro. The set characterised by strong westernised effects.
Very good impression and colour. Extensive sprayed pigment to simulate falling ash. Very small binding holes and slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831 – 1889)
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Shoki riding a tiger and attacking a group of demons. “May” from a series of Twelve Months. Published by Fukuda Kumajuro Meiji 20 (1887).
Fine impression and colour. Minor sumi spots, otherwise very good condition. (This design is often trimmed for albums and does not match.) Signed Shojo Kyosai ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Triptych showing the Taira ghosts attacking Yoshitsune’s ship amid huge waves. One of Kuniyoshi’s favourite subjects and an extremely fine and rare design. Published c.1850.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Hatsuhana doing penance under the Tonozawa Waterfall fulfilling a vow made on behalf of our sick husband. The best design from Stories of Wise and Virtuous Women. Published c.1842 by Ibaya Sensaburo.
Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming at bottom and small repaired wormholes at edge, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.
Status: Sold
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797 – 1861)
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Fuse-hime saving the child Masashi from a thunderbolt from “Eight Hundred Heroes of our Country’s Suikoden, One by One”. Published by Kaga-ya Kichiyemon c.1836. Robinson S4c.3.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi 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
Yanagawa SHIGENOBU II (Active 1824 – 1860)
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San konoshitakage, “Number Three: In the Shade of a Tree” from a set: Meiba zoroe, “Famous Horses.” Shows a beauty sheltering from rain. Published for the Horse Year 1834.
Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Nisei Yanagawa Shigenobu
Status: Sold