Antique Japanese surimono woodblock print by Hokkei (1780-1850) entitled "The Chomonju - Snake and Melons". A snake entwined with a tray of melons. The poem above speaks of how the snake will become a dragon which will make clouds of white cherry blossoms in the mountains. Snakes and dragons are closely associated with water. The poems alludes to a wish for rain and the blossoming of Spring.
Dimensions: Unframed: 21.2 cm x 17.7 cm. Framed: 15 1/4" x 15 1/4"
Original Japanese woodblock print by Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) of a Japanese captive insulting the King of Ancient Korea. From the series Kyodo Risshiki (Instructive Biographies) and published by Matsuki Heikichi, it is dated 1885. In excellent condition, it measures 14.75 inches high, 10" across.
GOD BULL TALISMAN
Traditional paper talisman (lithography) for fire prevention from Three Mountains of Dewa (ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Mountains_of_Dewa) as a popular Shugendo's mountain, called 'Kamiushifuda' (lit. 'God bull talisman'), originally dated back to Edo period (1603-1868) then mounted for a hanging scroll in the later years, Taisho period (1912-1926). approx. 135 x 37cm (53.14 x 14.56in)...
Antique woodblock print triptych by Toyohara Kunichika entitled "Kabuki Drama of Mount Bandai Eruption with Magic Lantern Slides", dated September 1888. In this scene, the Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro V hangs on to the breaking pieces of a house as the ground shifts and lightening cracks. Two months prior to this famous performance, the volcano Mt. Bandai erupted causing massive destruction and loss of life in Fukushima Prefecture. The play was originally set at Mt...
Japanese Edo period woodblock print triptych by Toyokuni III (aka Kunisada) featuring the actors Kawarazaki Gonjuro, Nakamura Shikan, and Ichikawa Shinsha in a scene from kabuki theater published by Noshuya Yasubei in 1861. Each panel holds the actor's name in a cartouche at the top and at the bottom, the artist's "Toyokuni ga" signature in a red cartouche with yellow snow, the censor's seals, and the publisher's seal...
Japanese Edo period woodblock print triptych by Toyokuni III (aka Kunisada) illustrating a scene from kabuki theater with actors depicting a street vendor selling sake to a young man disguised as a Buddhist monk while a story-teller approaches from the right. Published by Minatoya Kohei in 1852/53. Each panel holds the artist's "Toyokuni ga" signature in a red cartouche with yellow snow, the censor's seals, and the publisher's seal...
種字不動明王図 / SHUJI FUDO MYOO
Japanese esoteric Buddhist hanging scroll mounted with woodblock print of 'Fudo Myoo' (Acala as the God of Fire) expressed with 'Shuji' (Monosyllabic Sanskrit character that symbolizes its particular Buddhas),
Edo period, 19th century, approx...
Original Japanese woodblock print by Kitao Masanobu (1761 – 1816) from the “Eastern Tune Koyka by Fifty Poets”, date 1786. The color woodblock print depicts an image of a seated warrior with a poem above. Print has toning, spots, and marks throughout, fading to inks, loss of red ink stripes on face, abrasions to lower right corner. Not examined out of frame.
Measures:
Sight size: 8.5” high x 6” wide
Framed size: 10.75" high x 8" wide x 1" deep
Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden...
Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden...
Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden...
First edition Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print titled "The Curtain and the Announcements" from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" co-designed by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) and Torii Kiyosada (1844-1901). Three editions of this series are known. This print is from the first edition and contains the publisher's information and date of Meiji 30 (1897) 1st month 11th day in the left margin. Ginko's red seal is on the bottom of the curtain...
First edition Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print titled "Pubic Reading (Yomitate)" from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" co-designed by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) and Torii Kiyosada (1844-1901). Three editions of this series are known. This print is from the first edition and contains the publisher's information and date of Meiji 30 (1897) 4th month in the left margin. Kiyosada's signature can be found on the billboard at the upper left...
Japanese Edo period woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting a full figure Heian beauty, Lady Shizuka-gozen, dressed in shirabyoshi (court dancer) costume appearing under a rolled screen, preparing to dance before Yoritomo. Published by Izumiya Ichibei circa 1840. Signed Kochoro Kuniyoshi ga. The publisher's seal is at the bottom of the image. The assembled size is about 28” x 9 3/4" (top sheet: 13 7/8" x 9 3/4"; bottom sheet: x 14 1/4" x 9 3/4....
Japanese Edo period woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) of a full figure samurai walking in an elegant kimono by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) published by Sanoya Kihei between 1844-1845. Signed Kochoro Kunisada at the lower right corner with the publisher's seal and Tanaka censor seal beside it. The assembled size is about 28 1/2” x 9 9/16" (top sheet: 14 1/8" x 9 1/2"; bottom sheet: x 14 9/16" x 9 9/16." Very good clean overall condition. The panels are not attached, the print is ...
Antique Japanese woodblock print, framed oban diptych entitled "The Story of the Strong Woman Takashima Oiko of Omi Provence" from the series "A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures" by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). In the scene, the strong-woman, Takashima Oiko leads Saeki Urinaga, the sumo wrestler home in order to strengthen him for an up coming match. Printer: Tsunajima Kamekichi.
Age: 1889
Dimensions: diptych print: 14" high x 19" wide. Framed: 21" high x 2...
Antique Japanese woodblock triptych print of a large samurai battle scene by the artist, Yoshitora Utagawa. Active during the late 19th century, Yoshitora Utagawa was best known for his dynamic battle scenes as well as prints of samurai, firemen, kabuki actors, beautiful women and foreigners. He was born in Edo but the exact year of his birth and death are unknown. He studied with the great print artist, Kuniyoshi Utagawa but later left his school and changed his name to Mosai. This sam...
Japanese Meiji Period kuchi-e (magazine frontispiece) woodblock print by Kaburagi Kiyokata (1878-1972) titled "Gathering Shellfish" dated 1910. The print depicts two beauties at the seashore. Two cups of tea and an assortment of sea shells are beside them. One beauty holds a long pipe. A Japanese-style painter, Kiyokata was a pupil of Mizuno Toshikata. Measures just under 11" x 8 3/8". Kuchi-e woodblock printed illustrations were folded and inserted into the front of literary magazines and po...