Click here to view image full size. Kozuke, Harunasan setchu, “Kozuke [Province], Mount Haruna Under Snow.” From a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. A red bridge spans a gorge with precipitous cliffs and a fast flowing river. Fantastic crags point upwards into the sky. In the distance is Mount Haruna – a sleeping volcano.   Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Mii no bansho, “Evening Bell at Miidera Temple” from a set Omi hakkei no uchi, “Eight Views in Omi [Province].” Shows the temple hidden amongst hills on the southern side of Lake Biwa. Miidera is the common name for the Onjoji, a temple of the Tendai sect founded in 858. Published by Hoeido and Eikyudo in c. 1834-5. The “Eight Views” theme was derived (as so much else in Japanese art) from China and based on the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang paintings of the 11th century. The subject was transposed to Omi and then taken up by such artists as Harunobu, and later Hiroshige. It was often playfully alluded to in sets of eight prints in mitate-e style.     Very good impression, colour and condition, Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Mimasaka, Yamabushidani, “Mimasaka [Province], Yamabushi Valley.”A high wind and rain in the valley with a man on a raft on the Yoshi River. Other figures in the foreground, one having lost his hat. 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. Nihonbashi no hakuu, “Light Rain on Nihon Bridge.” From a Toto meisho set of 21 designs published between c. 1832 and 1839 by Kikakudo. The set was subsequently enlarged. Shows figures crossing Nihonbashi in rain, one figure carries an umbrella with the publisher’s name. Warehouses in the background and a distant view of Fuji. A beautiful print and very difficult to find in early impression: The title cartouche had a plug inserted beside the bottom three characters of the title on the left. This damage seems to have occurred when the block was cut and over time the spigot gradually slipped out leaving an unprinted area (which is sometimes painted in). In the earliest impressions the plug is hardly visible (as here). Also, the publisher’s seal at the bottom right should be in red, later editions having it in black. There was also an early variant edition with a yellow sky.     Fine impression and colour. Imperceptible centre fold, also near the right edge, otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.     Status: Sold    

Click here to view image full size. Numazu Ashigarayama Fuji no yukibare, “Numazu: Mount Fuji and Mount Ashigara after Snow” from Gojusan tsugi meisho zue, “Famous Places on the Fifty-three Stations.” The so-called “Upright Tokaido.” Shows two travellers crossing a trestle bridge over the Kise River before entering Numazu village seen on the left. Mount Fuji in the distance. Published by Kichizo (Koeido Tsutaya), 1855. There are many late editions of this set with the skies on the two snow scenes printed black. A fine snow design.   Fine, early impression. Fine colour. Small thinned area bottom left margin and one pinhole, otherwise fine condition. Full margins. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold    

Click here to view image full size. Iki Shisaku, “Shisaku in Iki [Province]” from a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1856. A heavy snowfall over Iki island which lies to the northeast of the Kyushu coast in southern Japan.   Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Kai, Saruhashi, “Kai [Province], Monkey Bridge” from a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. The bridge spans the Katsura River and is an example of the hanebashi method of construction whereby cantilever beams are set in the opposing cliff faces. Called the Monkey Bridge because monkeys are originally supposed to have strung themselves across the gorge.   Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Mino, Yoro no taki, “Mino [Province], Yoro Waterfall” from a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. The 32 metre fall is 4 metres wide and is located in Yoro Park, near Nagoya. Very fine impression and colour with blind-printing on the fall. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Awa, Naruto no fuha, Naruto Whirlpools, Awa [Province]” from a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1855. The finest print from the set and one of Hiroshige’s most important designs. The phenomenon is caused by the tides that move large amounts of water through the Naruto Strait into and out of the Inland Sea.   Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Station Annaka from Kisokaido rokujukyutsugi no uchi, “Sixty-Nine Stations of the Kisokaido.” Published by Kinjudo, the set was started by Eisen in 1835 who designed twenty-four prints before Hiroshige replaced him and completed the set before 1843. Shows the entourage of a feudal lord progressing along the road between rest houses.   Very fine impression of the earliest printing. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Hida, kago-watashi, “Basket Ropeway in Hida [Province]” from a set of 69 prints [Dai Nihon] Rokujuyoshi meisho zue, “Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces [of Japan]” published by Koshihei between 1853 and 1856, this being 1853. Originating in China, Japan and northern India, travellers could cross deep ravines by suspending themselves in a harness which evolved into a basket. Very fine impression and colour. Light album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. A snow scene from a set Edo komei kaitei zukushi, “Famous Teahouses of Edo,” Kameido uramon, Tamaya, “Back Gate of the Shrine at Kameido: The Tamaya Teahouse.” The set published by Shogendo, 1838-40. Very fine impression. Fine colour. Slight centre fold (strengthened au verso), otherwise very good condition. Signed Hiroshige ga. Status: Sold

Click here to view image full size. Station Hamamatsu from Tokaido gojusan-tsugi no uchi, “Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido.” This seminal work was possible because Hiroshige was asked to accompany an official procession along the Tokaido Road from Edo to Kyoto in 1832, and he made numerous sketches to document the journey. A winter scene with farmers warming themselves around a fire. Hamamatsu Castle in the distance. Because of the set’s popularity, it was reprinted many times and there are a plethora of late impressions. Early printings are hard to find. Published by Hoeido (Takenouchi Magohachi) and Tsuruya Kiemon (Senkakudo) 1833-34.   Fine, early impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Hiroshige ga.   Status: Sold