Click here to view image full size. Toto Sukiyagashi, “Riverbank at Sukiya in Edo,” from the set Fugaku sanjurokkei, “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.” Shows the snowy banks of the moat around Edo Castle (now the Imperial Palace) with Mount Fuji in the distance. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo (Koeido), 1858. Very fine early impression. Fine colour. Minimal soil bottom right margin. Large margins. Fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold   

Click here to view image full size. Harima Tatsuyama, “Mount Tatsu [Dragon] in Harima [Province]” from a set of twenty prints Sankai mitate zumo, “Wrestling Matches Between Mountains and Sea.” A fanciful and imaginative title lacking in other Hiroshige sets. Comprises of ten prints of mountains and ten prints of harbours. Published by Yamadaya Shojiro, 1858. The title is in a wrestling umpire’s fan (gunbai). Very fine impression of the first edition. Later printings have a solid red in the title cartouche instead of variegated colour and lack other subtleties. Fine colour. Very slight centre fold and minimal soil bottom left margin, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Hoki, ono Daisen enbo, “Hoki [Province], Distant View of Mount Daisen.” Shows rice-planting in the rain, with the volcanic mountain in the background. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. Very fine impression: This is the true first edition: Impressions with the bands of blue and yellow in the sub-cartouche are often catalogued as first editions but the impression must also have gradation on the top of the embankment at the bottom. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Mikawa, Horaiji sangan, “Mikawa [Province], Horai Temple.” The temple is situated in the Horai mountains. The 425 steps are shown here leading up to the temple. From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshimuraya Heisuke between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Shibaura, shiohigari no zu, “Low Tide [or Ebbtide, or catalogued in some instances as Shell-gathering] at Shibaura” from a Toto meisho “Famous Places in the Eastern Capital” set of ten prints published c. 1831-2 by Kawaguchiya Shozo. Hiroshige’s first oban landscape set with some outstanding designs. Shibaura is now an area with high-rise residential towers. The first editions, as here, have decorative borders adding a western element into the designs. These were removed on later editions. Extremely rare in this state.   Fine impression and colour. Very minor edge soil and slight centre fold. Slight trimming of decorative border on left, otherwise very good condition. Prints from this set are often missing or have the publisher’s name and address on the right border trimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Hiroshige ga. (The last set to be signed like this.)   Status: Sold    

Click here to view image full size. Susaki yuki no hatsuhi, “Snow on New Year’s Day at Susaki” from a Toto meisho “Famous Places in the Eastern Capital” set of ten prints published c. 1831-2 by Kawaguchiya Shozo. Hiroshige’s first oban landscape set with some outstanding designs. Fukagawa Susaki was a spit of land along Edo Bay. (Also the subject of the Eagle design, Jumantsubo Fukagawa Susaki, from the One Hundred Views of Edo later on.) The first editions, as here, have decorative borders adding a western element into the designs. These were removed on later editions. Extremely rare in this state.   Fine impression and colour. Very minor edge soil and slight centre fold, otherwise very good condition. Prints from this set are often missing or have the publisher’s name and address on the right border trimmed. Signed Ichiyusai Hiroshige ga. (The last set to be signed like this.)   Status: Sold    

Click here to view image full size. A chu-tanzaku print, Natsu, Ryogoku no tsuki, “Summer Moon at Ryogoku Bridge” from a set Shiki Koto meisho, “Famous Views of Edo in the Four Seasons.” Published by Kawaguchiya Shozo, 1834-5.   Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold    

Click here to view image full size. Okute from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “The Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” The set of seventy prints was started by Eisen and published by Hoeido in 1835, but in 1837 Hiroshige took over and completed the series with the publisher Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo). Shows woodcutters making their way home as evening approaches.   Fine impression: There is a plug of wood next to the last rock on the right. This repair gradually reveals itself and moves out leaving a gap. On the earliest impressions, as here, nothing is discernible. Slight fading of red, otherwise fine colour. Slight centre fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. A triptych, Takanawa tsuki no kei, “Moon at Takanawa” from a set Edo meisho shiki no nagame, “Famous Places of Edo in the Four Seasons.” Shows beauties on the veranda of an inn overlooking the bay. Takanawa was a popular place to visit with views on a clear day of the Boso mountains across Edo Bay. Hiroshige depicted this area many times. Published by Maruya Jimpachi (Enjudo), 1847-8.   Very fine impression. Fine colour. Minor trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Station Suhara from Kisokaido rokujukyu tsugi no uchi, “Sixty-nine Stations of the Kisokaido” published by Kinjudo, 1834-1842. The road known as the Nakasendo, “central mountain route,” as opposed to the Tokaido which was the “eastern sea route” was started with Keisai Eisen and finished by Hiroshige who designed 47 prints. This is one of Hiroshige’s most famous designs. Shows travellers sheltering in a wayside shrine from heavy rain with two figures running for its shelter. In the distance, silhouetted, a figure on horseback, another following on foot. Hiroshige based his design on an illustration in Itcho gafu, “Itcho’s Picturebook” by Suzuki Rinsho, 1770. This station is famous for the number of variant states, some lighter, some darker, and variations in the gradation on the trees as the printers strove to capture this stormy scene. This is an early state.   Fine impression with crisp seals. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Fukagawa, Suzaki, Juman-tsubo, “The One Hundred Thousand Tsubo Plain, Suzaki, Fukagawa” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). An eagle hovers over the snowy coastal plain, Mt Tsukuba and the Chiba mountains in the distance. Collectors at the beginning of the 20th century considered this the pre-eminent design from the set. Since then Ohashi has replaced it.   Fine impression, colour and condition. A nice early impression. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Atago shita Yabukoji, “Bamboo Lane Below Atago Hill” from Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Famous Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi between 1856 and 1859 (this being 1857). A snow scene showing figures beside a stream, Atago Hill was to the right and lay just outside the northeast corner of the mansion of the daimyo of Minakuchi. It was the highest natural point in Edo.   Superb impression of the extremely rare first edition. Very fine colour. Left corner margin expertly restored, otherwise fine condition. Large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. A snow scene: Yushima Tenjin sakaue chobo, “Hilltop View, Yushima Tenjin Shrine.” The shrine is dedicated to scholars and is near Ueno Park. From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1856). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death, and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi.     Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.     Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. A snow scene: Fukagawa kiba, “Fukagawa Timber Yards.” The yards date back and are the result of the Meireki fire of 1657. Large amounts of wood was required for expanding Edo and the wood yards were moved to this area of swampland east of the Sumida River. From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1856). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death, and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi. Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu. Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Shoheibashi Seido Kandagawa, “Seido Shrine and Kanda River Seen from Shohei Bridge.” The scene under light rain and is near present day Akihabara. From the set Meisho Edo hyakkei, “One Hundred Views of Edo.” The set published by Uoya Eikichi 1856-58 (this being 1857). The set comprises 118 prints by Hiroshige and another by Hiroshige II. However, three prints are dated 10/1858, the month following Hiroshige’s death, and these are thought to be by Hiroshige II as well. They are: Ueno Yamashita, Ichigaya Hachiman and Bikunibashi.     Superb impression of the first edition. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Azuma no mori yoru no ame, “Evening Rain at Azuma Shrine.” From a fine and rare early set Edo kinko hakkei, ”Eight Views in the Environs of Edo.” Shows figures walking along a dike beside the Kita Jumagawa. Azuma Shrine is seen amongst trees to the left. This set was first published privately for the Taihaido Poetry Club by the publisher Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudo) c 1837-8. (Similar to Hiroshige’s first set of fish prints.) For obvious reasons examples of these prints are of the utmost rarity. An entire set is in the Baur Collection, Matthi Forrer, 1994, nos. G492 – G499, this being G498. They have the copyright owner’s name in the left border, Taihaido Nomimasu, who was the head of the poetry club. They also have three poems on each design. The commercial edition, as here, has one or two poems and loses the Taihaido name. (Again, similar to the fish series.) These prints, initially not intended for commercial consumption, are more refined with a greater degree of care taken with the cutting of the blocks. Contrary to later sets, figures are small, pigments are subdued and large foreground objects are not in evidence yet. One of Hiroshige’s finest sets. Rare.     Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Haneda no rakugan, “Descending Geese at Haneda.” From a fine and rare early set Edo kinko hakkei, ”Eight Views in the Environs of Edo.” Planes now descend here. This set was first published privately for the Taihaido Poetry Club by the publisher Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudo) c 1837-8. (Similar to Hiroshige’s first set of fish prints.) For obvious reasons examples of these prints are of the utmost rarity. An entire set is in the Baur Collection, Matthi Forrer, 1994, nos. G492 – G499, this being G492. They have the copyright owner’s name in the left border, Taihaido Nomimasu, who was the head of the poetry club. They also have three poems on each design. The commercial edition, as here, has one or two poems and loses the Taihaido name. (Again, similar to the fish series.) These prints, initially not intended for commercial consumption, are more refined with a greater degree of care taken with the cutting of the blocks. Contrary to later sets, figures are small, pigments are subdued and large foreground objects are not in evidence yet. One of Hiroshige’s finest sets. Rare.     Very fine impression. Fine colour. Minimal edge soil, otherwise fine condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Koganeibashi no sekisho, “Evening Glow at Koganei Bridge.” From a fine and rare early set Edo kinko hakkei, ”Eight Views in the Environs of Edo.” This area was famous for its cherry trees and visitors are seen cherry viewing. It is also where the Tamagawa-josui was made to draw water from the Tama River into Edo. This set was first published privately for the Taihaido Poetry Club by the publisher Sanoya Kihei (Kikakudo) c 1837-8. (Similar to Hiroshige’s first set of fish prints.) For obvious reasons examples of these prints are of the utmost rarity. An entire set is in the Baur Collection, Matthi Forrer, 1994, nos. G492 – G499, this being G495. They have the copyright owner’s name in the left border, Taihaido Nomimasu, who was the head of the poetry club. They also have three poems on each design. The commercial edition, as here, has one or two poems and loses the Taihaido name. (Again, similar to the fish series.) These prints, initially not intended for commercial consumption, are more refined with a greater degree of care taken with the cutting of the blocks. Contrary to later sets, figures are small, pigments are subdued and large foreground objects are not in evidence yet. One of Hiroshige’s finest sets. Rare.     Very fine impression. Fine colour. Small edge nibble on top border and minimal edge soil, otherwise fine condition with large margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. The great shrine at Izumo, Izumo, taisha hotohoto no zu from Rokujuyoshu meisho zue, “Famous Views in the Sixty-odd Provinces.” The set published by Koshimuraya Heisuke, 1853-6 (this being 1854). Shows a group of three young women bringing offerings to the Shinto shrine. A large cryptomeria tree in the foreground and other figures, trees and a torii in the misty background. The main deity of the shrine is Okuninushi no Okami, patron of good relationships and marriage (which probably accounts for the women’s visit). A beautiful design when well printed.     Fine early impression: Should have applied bokashi across the foreground area, as here. Fine colour. Slight vertical crease in left margin, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige hitsu.     Status: Sold