Taiso YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

 Click here to view image full size. A fine original drawing of Masaki Taizen Tokiyoshi from Kaidai hyakusenso, “One Hundred Aspects of Battle Chosen by Yoshitoshi.” A set of half-length portraits, mostly of modern soldiers and leaders drawn as historical figures of the medieval period in a semi-western style. The set of sixty-five prints published by Ohashi 7/1863-3/1869 ( this design published 9/1868 ). The drawing in sumi has been restored and is in good condition and been re-laid onto Seichosen Koso Japanese paper, 10.75 in; 27.25 cms x 10.5 in; 26.75 cms. Sold together with the published print in good condition. The drawing sold “as is.” Status: Sold  Click here to view image full size.

Utagawa KUNIYOSHI ( 1797-1861 )

 Click here to view image full size. An original shita-e drawing illustrating the play Sumidagawa Tsui no Kagamon performed at the Ichimura-za from the 3rd of the 3rd month, 1852. The drawing has the date seal for the 2nd month, 1852. From the right it shows Sawamura Chojuro V as Suzuki Mondo; Bando Shuka I as Shiraito of the Hashimoto-ya; an unidentified actor as the clerk Zenroku; an unidentified child actor as the daughter Oyone; and Onoe Kikujiro II as Mondo’s wife Oyaso. There is also a diagonal inscription on centre and right sheets that does not seem to have any bearing on the design. Publisher’s seal Iseya Chu…, of Shiba, Shimmeimaye. Centre sheet also has Kuniyoshi’s red Kiri seal. Laid onto Japanese paper. In good condition. Sold “as is.” Rare: I am not sure if this was ever made into a print. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold  Click here to view image full size.

Keisai EISEN ( 1790-1848 )

 Click here to view image full size. A fine original shita-e for the Bijin Tokaido which compares beauties to the Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido, this being Minakuchi, famous for kampyo, dried gourd shavings. The set was published by Tsutaya, c early 1830s but only 40 designs are known as the government considered them a little risqué. ( The reason this design has survived. ) The set was reissued without the Station numbers and censor seal for 1846. I have not seen another such Eisen drawing. Extremely rare. Signed Keisai Eisen ga. Status: Sold

Utagawa KUNISADA II ( 1823-1880 )

 Click here to view image full size. An original shita-e drawing showing a high-ranking courtesan parading below cherry blossom on Yoshiwara’s great central avenue ( Nakanocho ). From a set “Superior Women Today.” The publisher’s name is blacked out but it has the censor seal for 1861. In good condition. Sold “as is.” Rare. Signed Kunisada ga. Status: Sold

Utagawa HIROSHIGE (1797-1858)

 Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing for an unpublished set: Toto Fujimi junigatsu, “Mount Fuji Viewed from the Eastern Capital Through the Twelve Months”, this being Mutsuki. Sumi on paper, c. 1850-55, 9.5 x 13.75 in; 24.5 x 35 cms. Shows a full ferry crossing the Sumida. Slight soil and centrefold, but generally very good condition. Ex collection Beres, sold Paris 2002, lot 182. Status: Sold

Tsukioka YOSHITOSHI (1839-1892)

 Click here to view image full size. An original preparatory drawing ( hanshita-e ) for an unrecorded and unpublished oban set of Twenty-four Paragons of Filial Piety. The stories originated in China where filial piety is considered the first virtue ( being common to almost all religions in China ). This drawing obviously depicts Kokaku ( Chinese: Chiang Ko or Jiang Ge ) who carried his mother on his back to escape civil war in their village. Sumi and light brown under-drawing on thin paper. Sold “as is” with some creasing and wormage. Signed Yoshitoshi ( signature c 1887-91 ). Ex collection Mizuno Toshikata Status: Sold

Ogata GEKKO (1859-1920)

 Click here to view image full size. The original preparatory drawing for a triptych published by Matsuki Heikichi, 1898, showing Tadanobu ( one of Yoshitsune’s men ) fighting the priest Yokogawa Kakuhan in Yoshinoyama. Sumi and light red on thin paper, each sheet 15 x 10.5 in; 38 x 26.5 cms. First sheet signed Gekko. Extremely good condition. Ex collection Mizuno Toshikata ( the artist, 1866 – 1908 ). Status: Sold

Ogata GEKKO (1859-1920)

 Click here to view image full size. A large cartoon, sumi on thin paper folding out to 25.5 x 42 in; 65 x 106.5 cms. The subject is the Last Stand of the Kusanoki Clan. In fact Gekko designed a triptych of this subject in 1890 which is very similar to this large drawing. Why he made this large version is not known: Perhaps he was intending to make a painting or he just liked the subject. Very good condition. Ex collection Mizuno Toshikata ( the artist, 1866 – 1908 ). Status: Sold

Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)

 Click here to view image full size. An important album of 26 original sumi shijo-style drawings by Kuniyoshi folding out to 10.5 x 15.5 in; 26.5 x 39.5 cms. Various subjects. Red kiri seal on last drawing of Hotei and Kuniyoshi signature pasted onto end of album ( signature c 1847 ). The only similar album by Kuniyoshi I have seen was one I sold about 20 years ago. An important addition for any Kuniyoshi collection. Some stains and minor marks, but generally good condition. Status: Sold  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.

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 new year Adonis flowers, Fukujuso, together with a trowel and flower pot. On thin paper, 7.5 x 10.5 in; 19 x 26.5 cms. An indication for where the Zeshin seal is to go. Sold together with the published print in good condition sealed Zeshin. Status: Sold  Click here to view image full size.

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 plants and bonsai trees seen through a window in an old cracked wall. On thin paper laid onto Japanese paper, 7.25 x 10.25 in; 18.5 x 26 cms. Sold together with the published print in good condition. Signed and sealed. Status: Sold Click here to view image full size.

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 mouse crouching on the top border looking down on pussy willow. On thin paper, 7.5 x 9.5 in; 19 x 24 cms. Status: Sold