Dealing in fine Japanese prints, paintings and books since 1968
Dealing in fine Japanese prints, paintings and books since 1968
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing the actor Bando Shuka I: “Snow” from a Furyu settsugekka set of Snow, Moon , Flowers. Published by Kojima Jubei (who specialised in fans) in 3 Superb impression with mica added to sky. Superb colour and condition: From a group of such fans that are as the day they were first printed and must have been put together by a fan collector. Signed Toyokuni ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A tanzaku showing a Japanese finch sitting on a camellia branch. Unidentified collector’s seal au verso. Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. Ai or ayu, river trout, Plecoglossus altivelis. Poem by Haruzono Shizuo. From the first set of fish prints published by Eijudo, c 1832-4. This first series was issued privately for a poetry group ( probably the Shingyoku Circle ) with judges’ names and extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were printed and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this first series was published commercially and a second set was commissioned. The most sought after print in the series and probably the first to be designed. Very good impression, colour and condition. Full size with with no centre fold. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing a geisha adjusting her hair pin set against a snowy landscape. Fukagawa Iyo setsu, “Time in Fukugawa, Iyo Province.” Published 3/1855 by Iseba Magobei. Fine impression and colour with splashed gofun to represent falling snow. Small expertly repaired wormhole, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print Gosekku no uchi, kugatu, tsuki machi, “Five Festivals, Ninth Month, Moon Viewing.” Viewing the full moon in the eighth and ninth months was a popular activity passed down from the aristocracy in Heian times; especially where the moon’s reflection could be seen in water. One such party is seen here where a member vainly attempts to catch a catfish with a gourd: A hopeless task with such an unsuitable utensil. This is based on a Zen riddle posed by Ashikaga Yoshimochi (1386-1428) on how to catch a catfish with a gourd, which inspired the 15th century artist Josetsu to paint the subject with accompanying poems on the conundrum by Zen monks. Published by Iseya Ichiemon, 1835. Fine impression and colour. Two small expertly repaired wormholes, otherwise very good condition. Signed Sadahide ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A half- block print showing a small bird (possibly a bush warbler) and plum blossom. . Published by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo) c. mid 1830s. Half-blocks were printed two-to-a-sheet and divided, either vertically or horizontally. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Utagawa seal. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut ukie fan print, Edo meisho Eitaibashi, “Eitai Bridge, Edo.” Published by Ibaya Sensaburo, c. early 1800s. Possibly by Utagawa Kunimitsu or Utagawa Kunitora and quite possibly the only recorded impression. Very good impression and colour. Slight corner soil, otherwise good condition. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A half-block print showing a sparrow and iris. Published by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo) c. mid 1830s. Half-blocks were printed two-to-a-sheet and divided, either vertically or horizontally. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga with Utagawa seal. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of Hanakawado no Sukeroku from a set: Mitate gonin otoko go-hiiki omoizashi, “A Parody of the Five Chivalrous Commoners, a Cup of Sake from their Fans.” Shows the actor holding a number of pipes; a shakuhachi protruding from his back. Published by Yama-Ta, 2ic Extremely fine impression and colour. Minimal soil at bottom, otherwise fine condition. Signed Toyokuni ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing the actor Sawamura Chojuro V as Ono no Tofu (aka Ono no Michikaze) in the play Ono no Tofu aoyagi suzuri performed at the Ichimura-za Theatre, 3 Shows the character holding a large umbrella. Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, 1850 (who seems to have specialised in fans). Extremely fine impression and colour with extensive burnishing. Minimal soil at bottom, otherwise fine condition. Signed Toyokuni ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print from a series: Koumei matsu tsukushi, “ Famous Kinds of Pine.” A euphemism for young beauties. One here shown holding a cage for fireflies being caught by children in the background. Published by Maruya Jinpachi, 4 Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print. Moon from a setsugekka set of famous views of Edo. Shows the interior of a teahouse. Published 1849-53 by Ibaya Sensaburo. Very good impression and colour. Restored centre bottom and other minor imperfections, but otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Very rare: Seemingly only two other impressions extant. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print, Ryogokubashi natsu no kei, “View of Ryogoku Bridge in the Summer” from a set Hana no Edo go-ohashi, “Five Major Bridges of Edo.” Shows a beauty on the bridge with fireworks exploding above. Fireworks became so popular in the summer that the authorities had to limit them to the river. Published by Kojimaya Jubei !843-46. Fine impression and colour. Minor soil, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uchiwa-e showing Sawamura Gennosuke II as Ushiwakamaru and Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Benkei battling on Gojo Bridge. In fact, this shows a dance with title Soga matsuri musashi no surimono from a play performed at the Kawarasaki-za Theatre, 5 The dance is today called Hashi Benkei, “Benkei on the Bridge.” The story relates how Benkei, of Herculean strength, was subdued by the young Onzoshi Ushiwaka Maru (Yoshitsune) on Gojo Bridge. Benkei was wandered around Kyoto with the intention of relieving 1000 samurai of their swords. One night, with one more sword to go, he saw Yoshitsune playing a flute and wearing a golden sword at the Gojotenjin Shrine. They agreed to fight on Gojo Bridge in southern Kyoto. However, Yoshitsune was too agile for Benkei and had been educated in the secrets of fighting by the tengu. Following Yoshitsune’s victory Benkei became Yoshitsune’s retainer. Published by Ibaya Senzaburo . Rare: Possibly unique. Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A chu-tanzaku showing a house swallow above a trailing yellow plant. Fine impression. Very good colour. Slight browning, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige fude. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A tanzaku showing a rooster and hydrangea. Published by Kawaguchi Shozo, c. 1830s. Another impression is illustrated in Four Hundred Ukiyoe Woodblock Prints From The Museum Of Art, Rhode Island School Of Design, 1990, no. 121, p. 54. Hiroshige is best known for his landscapes, but he produced almost as many bird and flower prints. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A chutanzaku print showing a tortoise, crab and dandelions from an untitled series of ten prints showing water creatures originally published two-to-a-sheet. Of the utmost rarity: Arguably the most difficult Kuniyoshi set to find. It appears there are only three other impressions known of this design: The Bidwell Collection, Springfield Museum of Fine Arts, illustrated in their catalogue, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1980, no 72 (60.D05.197); The Japan Ukiyoe Museum, uncut sheet with lobster and small fish, illustrated in Utagawa Kuniyoshi Exhibition Catalogue, 1996, p. 154, no. 208; and Kuniyoshi, Iwakiri Yuriko, Hotei publishing, 2013, p. 135, no. 109 (possibly from a French collection). This actual impression (making the fourth impression known) is illustrated in Kuniyoshi, Juzo Suzuki, 1992, no. 445. Ex collections J. Schedel (seal next to signature) and Sawai Suzuichi. This impression has no publisher’s seal nor does another design of a carp from the set illustrated in Heroes & Ghosts, Robert Schaap, Hotei publishing, 1998, p. 213, no 240. That is a very fine impression (as is this) and possibly they are proof impressions. Published by Tsujiokaya Bunsuke (Kinshodo), c 1837. For the full set illustrated see the Springfield catalogue mentioned above. Excessively rare. Very fine impression with woodgrain showing on all blocks. Fine colour. Centre fold (evident if held to light), otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga with Yutaka seal. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print with title Shinkiro no zu which has a double meaning of being the Yoshiwara in the deep sea and also a chimera or mirage. The scene enclosed in a (dreaming ?) bivalve shows visitors in a watery Yoshiwara, all with fish heads. Of the utmost rarity: This appears to be the only impression known. There are also what appear to be keying marks on three sides that have not been removed. Published by Shinagawaya Kyusuke with censor seal for 1845. Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige giga hitsu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A small tanzaku showing bats flying against a full moon above a lumberyard. A poem reads: “The colour of the bats’ wings was born in darkness.” Published c. late 1830s. Rare: Another impression is illustrated in Japanese Prints IV – Hiroshige and the Utagawa school, the Rijksmuseum, 1984, 46 61:35, p. 35. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A chu-tanzaku showing sparrows and poppies. Published by Kawaguchiya Shozo, c. late 1830s. A poem: Tori tonde (tobite) / abunaki keshi no / hitoe kana, “ A bird flying by / poses danger to poppies / with single layers of petals.” The same poem is used on another chu-tanzaku showing a bluebird and poppies, see MET Museum, JP2532. Other impressions of this print are in Honolulu Museum of Art, 18009; MFA, Boston, 21.8018; Chazen, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1980.1887. Very good impression and colour. Very small expertly restored wormholes, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A tanzaku showing a parrot perched on hanging ivy. Published c 1830s by Kawasho (Kawaguchi Shozo). Fine impression and colour. Centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A koi, carp (Cyprinus carpio) swimming amongst reeds. Poem by Makuzu. From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c. 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry group (probably the Shingyoku Circle) with judges’ names and with extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were made and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this second set was commissioned. This is the very rare first edition with the reeds printed. Block defect showing but with gradation still on belly of fish. One of the finest designs from the two series. Very rare. Kruml 12a Fine impression. Slight fading and edge soil, otherwise very good condition. Without centre fold (in itself rare as they often have them). Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A kami, crab (Charybois), and saba, mackerel (Scomber Japonicus), together with two flowers of morning glory. Poem by Shichichintei. This is the first edition (Kruml 19a). From the second series of ten fish prints published by Yamasho, c. 1840-42. The first series was issued privately for a poetry group (probably the Shingyoku Circle) with judges’ names and with extra poems. These prints are of the utmost rarity as probably only enough for the Circle were made and they never come onto the market. Due to their popularity this second set was commissioned. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut fan print showing the two brine-gathering maidens of Suma Bay: Matsukaze “Pine Wind”and Murasame “Drops of Rain.” Published by Tsuruya Kiemon, c early 1840s. Rare. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Gountei Sadahide hitsu. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. A Java sparrow on a clematis vine. A sanchogake format (three designs printed on a horizontal sheet and intended to be separated). Published c 1835-9. Rare. Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. (There is an impression with a cube-shaped red Hiroshige seal which is the first state.) Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An untrimmed fan print Fuji Tsukuba aiaigasa, “Fuji and Tsukuba Sharing an Umbrella.” A play on images and words: Shows the actors Nakamura Shikan II and the onnagata actor Iwai Kumesaburo II sharing an umbrella against the snow. Tsukuba, about 50 kilometers from Edo, was an area where both Fuji and Mount Tsukuba could be viewed together. Mount Fuji being the female and Mount Tsukuba the male. An aizuri-e background (common to all the designs in this set). Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, c 1829. (The publisher’s seal is on the umbrella on the following design from this set. He published a number of Kunisada’s fan sets.) Rare. Very fine impression with extensive burnishing. Fine colour. Several expertly repaired binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An untrimmed fan print Fuji Tsukuba aiaigasa, “Fuji and Tsukuba Sharing an Umbrella.” A play on images and words: Shows the actors Ichikawa Ebizo V and the onnagata actor Iwai Shijaku I sharing an umbrella against the wind. Tsukuba, about 50 kilometers from Edo, was an area where both Fuji and Mount Tsukuba could be viewed together. Mount Fuji being the female and Mount Tsukuba the male. An aizuri-e background (common to all the designs in this set). Published by Ibaya Senzaburo, c 1829 – the publisher’s seal is on the umbrella. He published a number of Kunisada’s fan sets.) Rare. Very fine impression. Fine colour. Several expertly repaired binding holes, otherwise fine condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An uncut aizuri-e fan showing Urashima Taro astride a large turtle approaching the Dragon King’s Palace. The story relates how the fisherman rescues the turtle from some miscreant children on a beach. A few days later, while fishing, the turtle appears and rewards him by taking him to the palace (Ryugu-jo Castle) where he is thanked by Princess Otohime, the King’s daughter. After a few happy days he wishes to return to his village but discovers he has, in fact, been away for 100 years and become an old man. Extremely rare: Possibly the only known impression. Provenance: Ex collection Toni Strauss-Negbaur, seal au verso. Very good impression and colour which is mainly aizuri with colour on Urashima and the turtle. Restored centre fold and slight edge soil, otherwise good condition. Signed Sadahide ga. Status: Sold
Click here to view image full size. An original painting showing a cat cleaning itself on a precarious tea-house roof. A charming study and typical of his work which often depicted the commonplace and comical sides to life. Itcho first studied the Kano tradition, perhaps under Kano Yasunobu ( 1618-1685 ). He was also known in poetry circles. However, like a lot of other artists of the time, he ran foul of the authorities and was exiled for 12 years in Miyakejima. On his return in 1709 he adopted the name Hanabusa Itcho and focused on ukiyo-e painting following in the footsteps of Moronobu but with more of a common touch. Ink and colour on silk. Image size 40.5 x 9.25 in; 113 x 23.5 cms. Signed Hanabusa Itcho with seal Nobuka no in. Box inscription Hanabusa Itcho Okujo no neko. Painted c 1710-20. In very good condition. Copies of Itcho paintings and drawings abound, partly because of his popularity and importance, but also because his staccato-like style and often simple subjects lend themselves to plagiarism. This lovely and unusual composition shows Itcho at his best. See also: Hanabusa Itcho ten ( exhibition catalogue ), Itabashi Museum of Art, 1984 ( see pl. 20 for the identical seal and very similar signature ); M. Murase, Japanese Art: Selections from the Mary and Jackson Burke Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1975, cat. No. 89; and for a description of his life: T. Koyasahi, Life of Hanabusa Itcho, Kokka, vol. 920, 1968, 00. 5-10. Status: Available Price: £3,800 Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size.
Click here to view image full size. A seated cat with butterflies above. Tetsuzan, the adopted son of Mori Sosen, was known for his animal paintings and was one of the ten best pupils of Okyo. Good condition. Sumi and colour on beige silk. Image size 38.25 x 14.5 inches. Mounted on brown damask with ivory rollers. Signed Tetsuzan with seal Shushin. Status: Available Price: £2,200 Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size.