Hishikawa MORONOBU (?-1694

Click here to view image full size. A large sumizuri-e print from a shunga set of twelve published c. 1680s. In each case the couples are enclosed in a Chinese-style fan border. A couple in flagrante delicto, the women disturbed while threading a needle. Moronobu was possibly the single most influential artist and pioneered the ukiyo-e school. A painter, printmaker and illustrator.   Very good impression. Slight stains at top, otherwise very good condition.   Status: Available Price:  £1,800  

Hishikawa MORONOBU (?-1694)

Click here to view image full size. A large sumizuri-e print from a shunga set of twelve published c. 1680s. In each case the couples are enclosed in a Chinese-style fan border. A couple in flagrante delicto. Moronobu was possibly the single most influential artist and pioneered the ukiyo-e school. A painter, printmaker and illustrator.   Very good impression. A small wormhole and slight stain, otherwise very good condition.   Status: Available Price:  £1,800  

Hishikawa MORONOBU (?-1694)

Click here to view image full size. A large sumizuri-e print from a shunga set of twelve published c. 1680s. In each case the couples are enclosed in a Chinese-style fan border. A couple in flagrante delicto. Moronobu was possibly the single most influential artist and pioneered the ukiyo-e school. A painter, printmaker and illustrator.   Very good impression. A small wormhole and slight stain, otherwise very good condition.   Status: Available Price:  £1,800  

Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

Click here to view image full size. A fascinating print showing Kintoki (aka Kintaro and Sakata Kaidomaru) and yama-uba beneath a flowering cherry tree. Strong western elements are obvious in this design indicating a knowledge of (probably) Flemish Madonna and Child paintings or icons, Kintoki standing in for the child Jesus. Yama-uba is depicted as a bare-breasted benign mother figure, rather than the wizened witch which is how she is usually shown, having raised Kintoki on Mount Ashigara. From the set Ikkai zuihitsu, “Essays by Yoshitoshi.” (Ikkai was an early name of Yoshitoshi’s.) A set of thirteen prints published by Masadaya Heikichi 1872 A fine set.   Extremely fine impression and colour from the first edition with a brown Kintoki (rather than bright red) and the red seals in the margin and over signature. The white hare’s coat is blind-printed. Margins trimmed a little, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ikkaisai Yoshitoshi hitsu.   Status: Available Price:  £2,200  

Toyoharu KUNICHIKA (1835-1900)

Click here to view image full size. The actor Bando Hikosaburo V as Nikki Danjo from a set Goketsu kijutsu kurabe, “Competition of the Magicians.” Published by Matsui Eikichi, 1873 Hikosaburo played Nikki Danjo in the play Date zensei kuruwa kagami at the Murayama Theatre, 3 The story relates how Nikki Danjo retrieves the list of conspirators against the Lord of Oshu by changing into a rat. A guard attacks the rat and strikes it on the head with an iron fan. It transmogrifies into Nikki Danjo. This sensational scene in kabuki has Nikki Danjo emerging through a trapdoor in the hanamachi in a cloud of smoke. He is usually shown with the scroll of conspirators in his mouth and a red mark on his forehead where he was hit by the fan.   Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Oju Kunichika hitsu.   Status: Available Price: £550  

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

Click here to view image full size. A triptych Ujigawa Kajiwara Kagesue, Sasaki Takatsuna, miju uma. Yoshitsune is informed that Kiso no Yoshinaka is entrenched behind the natural defence of the Uji river, then in full flood. Yoshitsune calls on Kajiwara Kagesue and Sayemon-no-jo Sasaki Shiro Takatsuna to make an attempt at fording the river. He gives them his best horses: Surusumi to Kagesue and Iketsuki to Takatsuna. They plunge into the river beside their horses with Takatsuna, dodging the hail of arrows, arriving first. One of Kiyochika’s best designs. Published 1899.   Fine impression, colour and condition. Untrimmed with margins intact. Signed Kiyochika.   Status: Available Price: £2,500  

Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

Click here to view image full size. Jiki-tsuki-so: Kaei nenkan anego no fuzoku, “Looking as if Somebody is About to Arrive: The Appearance of a Fireman’s Wife in the Kaei Era [1848-1854].” A fireman’s wife waits for the return of the head of the household. From a set Thirty-two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888. The set depicts women of different backgrounds and occupations from the Kansei era through to the Meiji era with punning allusions to their situation or mood.   Very fine impression of the true first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Yoshitoshi ga.   Status: Available Price:  £1,800  

Katsukawa SHUN’EI (1762-1819)

Click here to view image full size. Shows the half-Chinese, half-Japanese hero Watonai overcomes a man-eating tiger in China by using a charm from the Ise Shrine. He holds a post with the characters reading Daijinga, “Grand Shrine” used in the inner and outer shrines at Ise. Published by Wakasaya Yoichi (Jakurindo), c 1810. Rare. Fine impression and colour. One small backed edge wormhole, otherwise very good condition. Signed Shun’ei ga     Status: Available Price:  £3,200    

Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

Click here to view image full size. Kintaro rigyo o toru, “Kintaro Captures the Carp.” The “golden boy” of superhuman strength, a.k.a. Sakata no Kintoki and Kaidomaru, grapples with a giant carp which had been terrorizing the neighbourhood. There are conflicting stories about Kintaro’s origins but he is normally shown with his mother, Yama-uba, on Mount Ashigara where he developed a friendship with the mountain animals. The carp is associated with enormous strength and consequently needed great power to overcome it. From a set of fine vertical diptychs published by Matsui Eikichi, this design in 1885. It was republished by Hasegawa Tsunejiro in 1897. Arguably the best print from the set and one of Yoshitoshi’s finest designs. Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. With full margins: This set often comes with the left margin, with the publication date, trimmed off. Signed Oju Yoshitoshi ga..     Status: Available Price:  £4,200    

Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

Click here to view image full size. A vertical diptych showing Rochishin demolishing the temple gate on Mount Godai. There are conflicting versions of this event: Some suggest he gained entry to kill a gang of thieves. However, it seems that he was drunkenly staggering back to the temple after consuming a large quantity of wine and is barred entry by the monks. In a temper he demolishes the entrance and the large Buddhist guardian figure (Kongojin). The abbot dismisses him and sends him to a lesser temple. Rochishin ransui Godaisan Kongojin o uchikowasu no zu, “Picture of Rochishin in a Drunken Rage Demolishing a Guardian Statue (Kongojin) on Mount Godai.” Published by Matsui Eikichi, 1887. He figures in the Chinese classic Tales of the Water Margin, the Suikoden (jp. Suikoden) and is often referred to as the “Flower priest” because of his floral tattoos.   Very fine impression: This is the earliest state with a pigment used on the guardian’s torso that does not oxidise. (Exactly the same can be seen on the first editions of the Kinryusan Temple at Asakusa from Hiroshige’s 100 Views of Edo. Later printings use a different pigment on the huge lantern that oxidises badly.) It was also republished by Shimizuya Tsunejiro. Extensive burnishing. Fine colour. Very good condition. Signed Yoshitoshi.   Status: Available Price:  £4,800  

Keisai EISEN (1790-1848)

Click here to view image full size. A vertical double oban showing a falcon on a pine branch with a large red sun above. This was a very popular subject and many artists produced versions in different formats. However, I cannot, at the moment, locate another impression of this design. Published by Kawaguchiya Uhei, c 1830s. Extremely rare. Fine impression and colour. Slight soil and several expertly repaired wormholes, but otherwise very good condition. Signed Keisai Eisen ga.     Status: Available Price:  £8,500    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE II (1826-1869)

Click here to view image full size. Enshu Akiba enkei Fukuroi tako. Fukuroi, Enshu (Totomi) Province from 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). Shows kite flying with a distant view of Mount Akiba. It has been suggested that the release of confetti was to bring good luck for the forthcoming harvest.     Very fine impression of the first edition. Fine colour. Very slight soil, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Available Price:  £3,800    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Tango, Ama no hashidate, “Tango [Province], Ama no hashidata” from Rokujuyoshu meisho zu, “Famous Views of the Sixty-odd Provinces” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke in 1853-56 (this being 1853). Shows the “Heaven’s Bridge” peninsula of pine trees extending into Miyazu Bay. One of the Nihon sankei, “Three Famous Views of Japan.” ga.   Very good impression and colour. (The success of this print depends entirely on the bokashi clouds wiped across the design: Impressions vary depending on the dexterity of the printer.) Margins trimmed, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Available Price:  £4,800  

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. The Kinuta (or Toi) river in Settsu Province from Shokoku Mu Tamagawa, “Six Crystal Rivers in Various Provinces.” Published by Maruya Kyushiro, 1857. Shows two women fulling cloth beneath a full moon. An autumnal night activity. Kinuta is the name given to the mallet used to beat the cloth.   Fine impression and colour. Small repair top left corner and slight edge soil, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Available Price:  £2,500  

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

Click here to view image full size. A dramatic shini-e (“memorial picture”) of the kabuki actor Nakamura Utaemon IV. Unsigned, as is usual with this sort of print, but the attribution to Kuniyoshi is certain: An original Kuniyoshi preparatory drawing for this print exists in the Rijksmuseum, Leiden (3513-663). Utaemon is shown in the role of Taira Kiyomori, the leader of the Taira Clan, seen here dressed as a monk. The print gives the date of his death as 17 The tanka poem, above, is by Kuniyoshi’s friend the poet Umeya Kakuju (Murota Matabei).   Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming and centre fold, otherwise very good condition.   Status: Available Price:  £1,800  

Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

Click here to view image full size. Shows Endo Morito about to murder Kesa Gozen’s husband in his bedroom. Morito became enamoured of Kesa Gozen although she was married to a palace guard. She eventually succumbs to his advances on the condition that he kills her husband. However, she takes the place of her husband in bed and is subsequently killed by him. Full of remorse Morito changes his name to Mongaku and does penance under the Nachi Falls. A famous scene much depicted in Japanese art. From a set Yoshitoshi musha burui, “Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors.” Published by Kobayashi Tetsujiro, 1883.   Fine impression: This is the first edition with three-colour cartouche and small red seals in left margin. There are late editions of this set. It was republished by Tsunajima Kamekichi in 1886. Fine colour and condition. Signed Taiso Yoshitoshi ga.   Status: Available Price:  £680  

Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)

Click here to view image full size. Momotaro, “Peach Boy” with two of his companions: the talking dog and monkey battling an oni on Onigashima. Momotaro invokes a storm with thunder and lightning using Raijin’s drums. The story relates how an old childless couple discovered the child in a peach floating down a river. They adopted him and he evolved into a child of enormous strength. Published by Kawaguchiya Uhei, 1818-20. Very Rare.   Very good impression and colour. Backed, centre fold and slight trimming. Signed Gototei Kunisada ga.   Status: Available Price:  £2,500  

Utagawa KUNIMASA II (KUNIMUNE II) (1792-1857)

Click here to view image full size. An original painting, full colour on silk, 38.75 x 14 in; 98.5 x 35.6 cms. Shows a beauty at a Satori no Mado (round window of enlightenment) unrolling a handscroll, a willow tree above. Kunimasa II was a pupil of Toyokuni and, apart from paintings, also designed surimono. Another example is in the Art Gallery of NSW, acc. no 108.2019. In good condition. Signed Utagawa Kunimasa ga. Seal unread.   Status: Available Price:  £1,900   Click here to view image full size.

Cho GESSHO (1772-1832)

A large original painting of moored junks caught in a violent squall. A fine painter who studied under Tanke Gessen and Matsumura Goshun in Kyoto before moving to Nagoya in 1798 and becoming Nagasawa Rosetsu’s assistant for a short time. Also illustrated some fine ehon. Sumi and colour on silk with the currents of air painted in gold; 55.25 x 26 in; 140.25 x 66 cms. Painted c. 1810s. Provenance: Two previous owners’ seals on the exterior of mount: The Honda family library and the Ueno family. Old box with inscription which states that Gessho wanted to acquire a painting from the Owari district. Although not intrinsically valuable it was esteemed by the local people. He offered to exchange the painting offered here for their painting. There is a dig here in that the inhabitants of Owari were known to be avaricious. Written by Mizutani Okurei (1848-1926). Presumably based on the accounts of the two previous family owners. Signed Gessho with seal: Yukisada, Genkei, Gessho. Obviously an important painting by Gessho and in very good condition.     Status: Available Price:  £2,300     Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size.

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

Click here to view image full size. The poet Dainagon Tsunenobu (1016-97), seated at the window of his study having recited his most famous poem which speaks of the evening breeze in Autumn, is visited by an enormous ghost who screams a poem by the Chinese poet Bai Juyi (Jap: Hakuraten). From a set Hyakunin isshu no uchi, “One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets.” A compilation by the celebrated poet Fujiwara Teika in 1235. Only 58 of the set are known published by Ebine c 1840-42. A number of variant impressions exist of this design with the apparition printed either much darker or lighter, or the background darker and other minor differences. These all appear to be contemporaneous as the printers experimented. This impression appears to be the most successful. A fine design from an underrated set.   Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Chooro Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Available Price:  £3,800  

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

Click here to view image full size. A poem by the celebrated poet Oe no Chisato from the series Hyakunin isshu no uchi, “One Hundred Poems for One Hundred Poets” which was compiled in 1235 by Fujiwara Teiki (1162-1241). Shows two porters with an empty palanquin beneath a haloed moon. One of the best designs from the set. Published by Ebisuya Shoshichi, Ebine, 1840-42. Only 58 of the 100 prints are known. Various translations of the poem exist, here is one:   Looking at the moon Thoughts of a thousand things Fill me with sadness – But autumn’s dejection Does not come to me alone   Fine impression and colour. Very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Available Price:  £2,800  

Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA (1847-1915)

Click here to view image full size. A snow scene showing Sakura Sogoro, the leader of a peasant rebellion, kneeling to thank the ferryman Jinbei for the selfless deed of taking him across Lake Inba. Soga watashiba no zu from Choga kyoshin kai. Published by Matsuki Heikichi, 1884. Fine impression, colour and condition with extensive splashed gofun. Signed Kiyochika ga     Status: Available Price:  £1,800    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. Kameido Tenmangu keidai no yuki, “The Compound of the Tenman Shrine at Kameido in Snow.” From a set of twenty-one prints Toto meisho, “Famous Views in the Eastern Capital” published by Sanoya Kihei, c 1834-5. The series was extended to fifty-five in c 1839-42. One of the most famous places in Edo. Known for its pergola, two drum bridges, koi ponds and the wisteria which flowered in the fifth month. The main shrine is dedicated to the memory of Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin), the father of Japanese learning and built in 1662. The design comes in various states: Late editions have a black sky and the red publisher’s seal on right margin is replaced with an abbreviated Sanoki seal in black. Even later editions show a slipping plug becoming evident on the edge of the water, centre left.   Fine impression and colour. Probably the earliest printing. Slight trimming on right margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Available Price:  £6,800   v

Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)

Click here to view image full size. A woman peering through a gap in a shoji from a set Arigataki miyo no kage e “Shadow Pictures for Our Blessed Times.” Published by Maruya Seijiro c. 1845-6 and is based on strong light sources shining on beauties. This chiaroscuro technique was pioneered by Shumman and used by Utamaro and Toyokuni I.   Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyosai Toyokuni ga.   Status: Available Price:  £2,200  

Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)

Click here to view image full size. The actor Onoe Kikugoro III as the ghost of Yasukata from a set Mitate sanjurokkasen no uchi, “An Imaginary Thirty-six Poets.” A famous early compilation; in this case the image is inspired by a poem of Nakatsukasa.The ghost haunted the ruined palace of Soma at Sashima. Published by Iseya Kanekichi, 1852.   Fine early impression. Fine colour. Very small binding holes and slight discolouration at left edge, otherwise very good condition. Signed Toyokuni ga.   Status: Available Price:  £1,500  

Utagawa KUNIYASU (1794-1832)

Click here to view image full size. A triptych Soshu Enoshima Benzaiten Iwaya narabi sairei no zu, “Picture of Iwaya, the Main Shrine, Pilgrims to the Display of Benzaiten at Enoshima.” Enoshima island was a popular place to visit with the Iwaya caves and the shrine of the Buddhist goddess Benzaiten (Benten), goddess of the arts, entertainment and wealth, and one of the Seven Gods of Good Fortune. A fascinating print showing a multitude of various visitors. Published by Kawaguchiya Uhei, late 1820s. Rare. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Kuniyasu ga.     Status: Available Price:  £5,500    

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

Click here to view image full size. An original painting, sumi and light colour on silk, 11 x 18 in; 28 x 45.75 cms. Shows the sea off the Miura Peninsula in Sagami Province with Mount Fuji rising above mist in the distance. Hiroshige used the same view for one of his designs for the Thirty-six Views of Fuji set published in 1858. A beautiful painting with a signature dating it to the mid to late 1830s.   Minor creasing and old mount, otherwise good condition. Signed Hiroshige with Hiro seal.   Status: Available Price:  £4,800   Click here to view image full size.

Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)

Click here to view image full size. A geisha partly illuminated by a lantern on a boat from a set Tsuki no kage shinobiau yo, “Secret Meetings by Moonlight.” Published jointly by Izumiya ichibei (as here) and Yamamoto Kyubei, c. 1836-38.   Very good impression and colour. Minor creasing, otherwise very good condition. Signed Kochoro Kunisada ga.   Status: Available Price:  £1,600  

Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

Click here to view image full size. Looking Itchy: the appearance of a kept woman of the Kaei era [1848-1854]. Shows a beauty emerging from a mosquito net that has apparently not been entirely successful. From a set Thirty-two Aspects of Women published by Tsunashima Kamekichi, 1888. The set depicts women of different backgrounds and occupations from the Kansei era through to the Meiji era with punning allusions to their situation or mood.   Very fine impression with strong blind-printing on the fall. Fine colour and condition. Full size. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Available Price:  £2,800