Utagawa TOYOKUNI I (1769-1825)

Click here to view image full size. Click here to view image full size. An original drawing by the first Toyokuni. An hanshita-e diptych for a published set of triptychs with title: Yakusha juni tsuki, “Actors in the Twelve Months.” Shows the actors (from the left) Bando Mitsugoro III holding a pipe; Iwai Hanshiro V with an open book; Nakamura Utaemon III about to write a poem; and Segawa Roko IV with another pipe. They are compared to the months of the year, in this case July, the month of the Bon Odori festival and are also a parody of the Six Immortal Poets. The print published by Yamashiroya Toemon (active c. 1801-1817). In fact this set was published Spring, Bunka 6 (1809). Sumi on thin paper laid around edges onto another sheet. Some pentimenti and also shows the initial hurried under-drawing and with annotations for the finished print. Sold together with the two published sheets which shows the lanterns removed at top, the brazier bottom centre and other minor changes. In indifferent condition. An illustrated example of this complete triptych is in the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts.     The print signed Toyokuni ga. Original hanshita-e by Toyokuni I are extremely rare. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.       Status: Available Price:  £2,500    

Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)

Click here to view image full size. An original Kunisada shunga drawing showing a couple having sexual congress. Most likely a preliminary design for a koban print. Sumi on thin Japanese paper lightly attached at edges to an album leaf, 5.25 x 7.25 in, 13.5 x 18.5 cms. Probably intended to be printed four-to-a-sheet. A very good quality drawing, unlike the many poor unattributed examples available.   Status: Available Price:  £580

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

Click here to view image full size. An original drawing, sumi on thin paper laid onto Japanese paper, 6.5 x 9.25 in; 15.9 x 23.5 cms. A heavily muscled individual (Benkei ?) dispatching two adversaries. Sold “as is” with all imperfections common to surviving drawings. Two areas of pentimenti.   Status: Available Price:  £1,800  

Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)

Click here to view image full size. An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a triptych showing, from the left, Nakamura Kamenojo I as the geisha Azuma standing above Kawarasaki Gonjuro I as Yamazakiya Yogoro, Bando Kamezo I as Settanaoshi Chogoro standing above Onoe Kikugoro IV as Kumasaka Ocho, and Onoe Kikugoro IV as Akogi Gennojo standing above Onoe Kikujiro II as Onnadayu Okoyo. The play was Yume musubu cho ni torioi performed at the Ichimura-za theatre 3 These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. Sumi and touches of red with some pentimenti. (This was also most likely a published print by Sanoki as it is from the same group as others offered here.) Signed on two sheets Toyoukuni ga.     Status: Available Price:  £1,500    

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

Click here to view image full size. A fine large original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 12 x 18.5 in; 30.4 x 47 cms. Shows battling women holding what appear to be wooden swords. Two seals at the bottom which appear to be the publisher Honmo who published 1855-56. Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Julius Kurth (1870-1949), an eminent scholar who wrote extensively on Japanese and Chinese art.   Sold “as is” but in good condition.   Status: Available Price:  £1,500  

Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)

Click here to view image full size. A fine original drawing in sumi and colour for the series Hana kurabe, “A Comparison of Flowers” published by Shugyokudo between c 1875 – 1890. The set of 120 prints was issued in groups of 12 enclosed in paper wrappers. This design shows a group of Japanese poppies. On thin paper laid onto Japanese paper, 7.5 x 10 in; 19 x 25.5 cms.   Status: Available Price:  £580

Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)

Click here to view image full size. A fine original drawing in sumi and colour for the series Hana kurabe, “A Comparison of Flowers” published by Shugyokudo between c 1875 – 1890. The set of 120 prints was issued in groups of 12 enclosed in paper wrappers. This design shows a group of daffodills. On thin paper laid onto Japanese paper, 7.5 x 10.5 in; 19 x 26.5 cms.   Status: Available Price:  £580

Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)

Click here to view image full size. A fine original drawing in sumi and colour for the series Hana kurabe, “A Comparison of Flowers” published by Shugyokudo between c 1875 – 1890. The set of 120 prints was issued in groups of 12 enclosed in paper wrappers. This design shows the entrance to a shrine with numerous ema hanging under cover and two figures entering. On thin paper laid onto Japanese paper, 7.25 x 9.75 in; 18.5 x 24.5 cms.   Status: Available Price: £580

Shibata ZESHIN (1807-1891)

Click here to view image full size. A fine original drawing in sumi and colour for the series Hana kurabe, “A Comparison of Flowers” published by Shugyokudo between c 1875 – 1890. The set of 120 prints was issued in groups of 12 enclosed in paper wrappers. This design shows an unidentified plant with purple-black berries – possibly a variety of elderberry. On thin paper 7.25 x 10.5 in; 18.5 x 26.5 cms. Signed Zeshin and an indication for where the Shin seal should go. Sold together with the published print. Backed and with centre fold. Signed Zeshin and Shin seal.   Status: Available Price:  £580 Click here to view image full size.

Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)

Click here to view image full size. An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a triptych showing, from the left, the actor Bando Takesaburo I as Nagoya Sanza, Ichimura Uzaemon XIII as the Shinzo (“courtesan’s apprentice”), and Nakamura Fukusuke I as Fuwa Banzaemon. This is actually from the dance Sanpukutsui Kabuki no irodori performed at the Ichimura-za theatre, 5 The publisher was Sanoki. These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. Sumi and touches of red with some pentimenti. Signed Toyokuni ga on the three sheets. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.     Status: Available Price: £1,580    

Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1865)

Click here to view image full size. An original Kunisada shunga drawing showing an old man ravishing a young woman. Most likely a preliminary design for a koban print. Sumi on thin Japanese paper lightly attached at edges to an album leaf, 5.25 x 7.25 in, 13.5 x 18.5 cms. Probably intended to be printed four-to-a-sheet A very good quality drawing, unlike the many poor unattributed examples available.   Status: Available Price:  £380

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

Click here to view image full size. A large original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 12 x 20.5 in; 30.5 x 52 cms. Shows a battle between two armies. Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Julius Kurth (1870-1949), an eminent scholar who wrote extensively on Japanese and Chinese art. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.   Status: Available Price:  £1,400  

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

Click here to view image full size. A large original drawing, sumi on thin paper, 15 x 20 in; 38 x 51 cms. Shows a large group of actors in front of a theatre. Most likely two sheets for an intended triptych. There appears to be the publisher’s seal Kiya Sojuro brushed-in at the bottom who was active c 1851-1904. Provenance: Ex collection Dr. Julius Kurth (1870-1949), an eminent scholar who wrote extensively on Japanese and Chinese art. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.   Status: Available Price:  £1,400  

Kawanabe KYOSAI (1831-1889)

Click here to view image full size. An important collection of original drawings by Kyosai laid into two accordion albums, opening horizontally, 13.5 x 10 inches. Approx 157 drawings ( one signed and sealed; one signed and dated [ 6th October Meiji 3,1870 ]; and one signed ). After the date is the place: Shinobazu keidai Mikawatei, the garden of a temple ( Bentendo Hall ( ?) at Shinobazu pond, Ueno Park; Mikawatei being a restaurant. And the signature: Seisei Kyosai sui butsu rei hitsu, the drawing of Amida painted when drunk. Some drawings are from life, others seem to be memory drawings of his work, but most are preliminary ideas for books, prints or paintings. Many of Kyosai’s favourite subjects are represented including: skeletons, onis and cats. Drawings on this scale, spontaneous and with no need to impress, give a better insight into the mind of an artist, and on almost every page Kyosai’s humour shines through. Of particular delight are a group of drawings showing men on horseback playing some Japanese variation of polo, and a sheet recording new-born, still blind rats.     Status: Available     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. 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. 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. 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…

Utagawa KUNISADA (1786-1864)

Click here to view image full size. An original hanshita-e (preparatory drawing) for a published diptych showing, on the left, the actor Onoe Kikujiro II as Tatsuhime – in reality Yawata, the younger sister of Kotoda. On the right is Iwai Kumesaburo III as Kudo Kanaishimaru. The play is Matsu icho Tsurukame Soga performed at the Nakamura-ya theatre, 1 The publisher of the print was Sanoki. These first drafts by the artist themselves survive because a more detailed drawing was needed by the blockcutter, and this was normally given to an assistant to execute. Or the drawing was never taken up by the publisher, for whatever reason. Sumi and touches of red. Signed Toyokuni ga on both sheets. Sold “as is” with all imperfections.     Status: Available Price:  £1,200    

Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)

Click here to view image full size. A shijo brush drawing of a seabream and a lumpfish (?). One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his painting from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10 x 14.75 in; 25.4 x 37.4 cms.     In good condition. Signed and sealed Keibun.     Status: Available Price:  £390    

Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)

Click here to view image full size. A shijo brush drawing of a white horsehead and an acropomatidae (?). One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his painting from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10.5 x 15 in; 26.7 x 38.1 cms.     In good condition. Signed and sealed Keibun.     Status: Available Price:  £390    

Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)

Click here to view image full size. A shijo brush drawing of a red seabream. One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his paintings from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10.5 x 17 in; 26.7 x 43.2 cms.     In good condition. Signed and sealed Keibun.     Status: Available Price: £390    

Matsumura KEIBUN (1779-1843)

Click here to view image full size. A shijo brush drawing of a gurnard and a snapper (?). One of Kyoto’s leading artists. Noted for his painting from nature. He studied with his older brother Matsumura Goshun as well as Maruyama Okyo. Sumi and light colour on paper, 10.5 x 17.75 in; 26.7 x 45.1 cms.     In good condition. Signed and sealed Keibun.     Status: Available Price:  £390