Click here to view image full size. Yoshioka Kanefusa defending himself in an attack by police from Honcho kendo ryaku den, “Abridged Stories of Our Country’s Swordsmanship.” The set published by Kadzusaya Iwazo in c 1845-6.   Extremely fine impression, colour and condition. Solid yellow ground. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. A bust portrait of Goshaku Somegoro playing a shakuhachi from the series Kuniyoshi moyo shofuda tsuketari genkin otoko, “ Men of Ready Money with True Labels Attached, Kuniyoshi Fashion.” The title derived from a contemporary kabuki play Shofuda tsuki kongen kusazuri. Poem above by Umeya. Robinson S40.3. Published by Ibaya Kyubei, 1845. Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming and retains original album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold

 Click here to view image full size. Sasaki Ganryu standing, in profile, with clenched fist, from Honcho kendo ryaku den, “Abridged Stories of Our Country’s Swordsmanship.” The set published by Kadzusaya Iwazo in c 1845-6.   Extremely fine impression, colour and condition. Solid yellow ground. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. Tadatsune killing the monstrous wild boar watched by Yoritomo and his entourage. Published c 1842-3. Robinson T99. Fine impression and colour. Minor trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold

 Click here to view image full size. India from Sangoku yoko zue, “The Magic Fox of the Three Countries [China, India, Japan].” A set with strong western elements. Here showing Kwayo-fujin (the fox) having shot a St. Sebastian-like figure in the eye watched by King Hansoku. Both attired in exotic and archaic western garments and head pieces. Also western influences in the sky, trees and architecture. The set published by Iseya Chusuke and Echizenya Hachiyemon, c 1849-50. Unidentified collector’s seal bottom left. Rare.   Fine impression with strong woodgrain. Very good colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. The warrior Hakumenrokun Teitenju in full armour levering a mass of rock with an iron bar. A design from the set Tsuzoku Suikoden goketsu hyaku-hachi-nin no hitori, “The Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden, One by One.” Based on the Chinese novel Shui Hu Zhuan, attributed to Shi Nai’an, which tells of a band of 108 brigands who operated from Liangshan Marsh. Published by Kagaya Kichiyemon, 1827-30. Robinson S2.20. There is another version of this design with yellow rocks and the sky a solid blue.   Fine impression, colour and condition. Full size (unusual as these prints are overlarge obans and often trimmed). Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. An early design without series title showing Nikki Gennosuke in pouring rain fending off wild wolves while suddenly observing the apparition of a dead man behind him. Published by Tsuta-ya Kichizo, c 1840. Robinson S1e.2. A fine and rare design. Very good impression and colour. Slight trimming, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ch-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold

 Click here to view image full size. An extremely rare diptych, Shoki-san jaki ni sokko, “Shoki-San, Quick-Acting Medicine to Remove Evil Spirits.” Images of Shoki were used to ward off evil spirits and illness, especially during the Boys’ Festival. Published 1858 by Enshuya Hikobei.   Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi fude with Yutaka seal.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. Nitta Tadatsune encountering the goddess of Mount Fuji and her dragon in a cavern with numerous stalactites and a fast flowing river and waterfall. Published by Tsuji-ya Yasubei c 1844. Robinson T143. Very fine impression. Fine colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold

 Click here to view image full size. Narukami Shonin, a wicked priest, from the play Narukami. One of a set Toyokuni kigo kijutsu kurabe, “A Contest of Magic Scenes by Toyokuni.” The series published by Hiranoya Shinzo, 1862. The set is known for its deluxe printing.   Superb impression and colour. Fine condition. Signed Kio Toyokuni hitsu (77 year’s old).   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. The Empress Jingo Kogo, sumptuously attired, sitting on a rock with two Imperial Jewels above her. She is supposed to have invaded Korea although there is some debate about this. From a set Meiko hyaku yu den, “Stories of a Hundred Heroes of High Renown.” The series published by Idzumi-ya Ichibei, 1843-44.   Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. Kaidomaru felling a tengu during practise with wooden swords from a set Honcho kendo ryaku den, “Abridged Stories of our Country’s Swordsmanship.” The series published by Kadzusa-ya Iwazo, c. 1845-6.   Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. An early triptych showing Shutendoji’s palace on Mount Oyeyama, Oyeyama Shotendoji shuzui no zu. Raiko (Minamoto no Yorimitsu) is charged by the Emperor Murakami with killing the evil Shutendoji who terrorizes the neighbourhood. He and his retainers infiltrate the castle and ply Shutendoji and his ogrish band with sake and dance for them. Eventually Shutendoji is so intoxicated he has to be carried to bed, whereupon Raiko and his followers attack and decapitate Shutendoji. This is the episode most depicted with the head flying through the air. Published by Daikokuya Heikichi, c. 1832. Robinson T21. Rare.   Fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. A bust portrait of Teranishi Kanshin holding a fan from the series Kuniyoshi moyo shofuda tsuketari genkin otoko, “ Men of Ready Money with True Labels Attached, Kuniyoshi Fashion.” The title derived from a contemporary kabuki play Shofuda tsuki kongen kusazuri. Poem above by Gosonoya of Ise. Robinson S40.7. Published by Ibaya Kyubei, 1845. Fine impression and colour. Slight trimming and retains original album backing, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga. Status: Sold

 Click here to view image full size. Princess Chujo (Chujo-hime) from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.17. Abandoned by her stepmother, she is rescued by the nuns of Taima-dera, becomes a nun, and is credited with the invention of embroidery. She is shown here with a spinning wheel (forming a mandela around her head) and looking out at a landscape with a rainbow.   Very fine impression and colour. Very slight crinkling and trimmed close, otherwise fine condition. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. Fujiwara no Yasumasa from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.11. A renowned poet and flautist, he escapes being attacked by the robber Hakamadare Yasusuke who is mesmerized by the music.   Superb impression and colour. Very slight crinkling and trimmed close, otherwise fine condition. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. Shidzuka-gozen or Lady Shidzuka from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.12. She was a renowned 12th century shirabyoshi (court) dancer who achieved fame after 100 Buddhist monks and 99 other dancers failed to bring much needed rain.   Superb impression and colour. Very slight crinkling and trimmed close, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. Chinzei Hachiro Tametomo (aka Minamoto no Tametomo) from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.15. He was a renowned archer who was banished to Oshima in Izu and is shown here holding a huge bow made from a tree branch and looking down at a fisherwoman. A large anchor behind.   Superb impression and colour. Very slight crinkling and trimmed close, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. The poetess Kikaku from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon or Enshuya Matabei (this design) 1845. Robinson S35.6. Shows the Tokugawa poetess sheltering beneath an umbrella in heavy rain in a boat floating under a bridge. A fine design.   Superb impression and colour. Very slight crinkling and trimmed close, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. The samurai Yamamoto Kansuke from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon (this design) or Enshuya Matabei 1845. Robinson S35.16. One of Takeda Shingen’s most trusted 24 Generals. He is shown fighting a wild boar in deep snow. A fine design.   Very fine impression and colour. Very slight crinkling and trimmed close, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Miyamoto Musashi fencing with Tsukahara Bokuden from the set Chuko meiyo kijin den, “Stories of Remarkable Persons of Loyalty and High Reputation.” Published by Iseya Ichiemon (this design) or Enshuya Matabei 1845. Robinson S35.8. Tsukahara Bokuden was a famous swordsman (1489-1571). He is shown here parrying Musashi’s wooden swords with pot lids. Actually, Bokuden died 13 years before Musashi was born, so this is anecdotal.     Superb impression and colour. Very slight crinkling and trimmed close, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.     Status: Sold    

Click here to view image full size. A complete diptych showing Inuyama Dosetsu Tadatomo with smoke curling around him and his hand on one of his swords facing Inugawa Sosuke Yoshito on one knee grasping his sword beside a wood fire from which the billowing smoke is emanating. Two of the heroes from Kyokutei Bakin’s famous book, Nanso Satomi hakkenden, “The Chronicles of the Eight Dog Heroes of the Satomi Clan of Nanso.” From a set of prints Kendo ryaku den “Abridged Stories of Our Country’s Swordsmamship.” Published by Kadzusa-ya Iwazo, c. 1845-6. The complete diptych is rare. Robinson S37.9.7.     Very fine impression, colour and condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.     Status: Sold    

 Click here to view image full size. Chinzei Hachiro Tametomo battling a large wild boar in the snowy mountains of Mashiki in the province of Higo, watched from above by Takama Harutsugu. A rare print from a rare unfinished (?) series Buyu hyaku den, “A Hundred Stories of Military Valour.” Published by Fujioka-ya Hikotaro, c. 1836.   Fine impression and colour. Slight fold, otherwise fine condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

 Click here to view image full size. The priest Mongaku Shonin doing thirty-seven days’penance under the freezing Nachi waterfall near Kyoto. He is helped by Fudo Myo-o’s two attendants Seitaki and Kongara seen here top right. This act of self-mortification is because he accidentally killed his beloved cousin Kesa. Published by Uoya Eikichi, 1860. A fine design.   Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Cho-o-ro Kuniyoshi ga.   Status: Sold  

Click here to view image full size. Nichiren praying for rain from the set Koso goichidai ryakuza, “Illustrated Abridged Biography of the Founder.” The set published by Iseya Rihei, c. 1835. The event is supposed to have taken place at the Reizan Promontory, Kamakura in 1271. Bunei hachi Kamakura Reizangasake uki. Nichiren was the founder of the Buddhist Nichiren sect of which Kuniyoshi was a follower. This is the very rare first edition without the break in the black border on the left near the small boat. Another first edition impression is in the Baur Collection, Geneva. See Matthi Forrer, 1994, G366. Most impressions show the break. For example: Kuniyoshi, Juzo Suzuki, 1992, no. 179. There are also variant later impressions with differences in the gradation of the sea and the promontory.     Very fine impression. Fine colour. Imperceptible centre fold and trimming at top, otherwise very good condition. Signed Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga.     Status: Sold