A painter and printmaker in the ukiyo-e style, and the leading artist of the Katsukawa school. Shunshō is most well-known for introducing a new form of prints depicting Kabuki actors. However, his images of beautiful women while less famous, are said by some to be the best before Utamaro in the last decades of the 18th century.

From the set “Thirty-six examples of love making positions”

published c.1780
10.6 x 15.5 cm

$ 880

A print designer and painter, his works include a number of landscapes, as well as many depictions of the daily activities in the entertainment quarter. He produced an important series of ukiyo-e triptychs, and book illustrations.

Beautiful Women by the Seashore

Published by Yamadaya Sanshiro c.1801
37.2 x 24.75 cm

$ 2500

One of the most successful students of Utamaro who, like his master, specialized in portraits of beautiful women.

High Class Courtesan (Oiran) with Flower and Hair Ornaments

Published c. 1790
34.7 x 24 cm

$ 3300

The most prolific and the best of the followers of Utamaro. His work, focusing on images off beautiful women, is noted for its sensitivity and lyricism. In c. 1830 he abandoned print making for painting

Beauty under a full moon on a summer night

original woodblock print, published c. 1820 Kakemono,
71 x 24.75 cm

$ 3300

Ukiyo-e painter, printmaker, & illustrator; his best work, of beautiful women and erotica, is both elegant and refined

Twelve Views of Modern Beauties: Boats on the River at Tsukuda Shinchi, the Gentle Type, Mending

(Imayo Bijin Junikei: Tsukuda Shinchi no irifune, Otanashisho) signed Keisai Eisen ga, with censor's seal Kiwame and publisher's seal of Izumiya Ichibei, ca. 1822-23
39.3 by 26.5 cm

$ SOLD

Ukiyo-e painter, printmaker, & illustrator; his best work, of beautiful women and erotica, is both elegant and refined

Courtesan wearing a stunning kimono with a tiger/dragon/bamboo motif at cherry blossom time

Published by Kichibei, ca. 1825
39.3 by 26.5 cm

$ 2200

One of the great greatest draftsmen of world art, he is the most highly regarded Japanese artist in the West. His long life was devoted to a constant and daring exploration of design and painting. He is responsible for many of the great masterpieces of Ukiyo-e, including ‘The Great Wave’ and his illustrated 3 volume book, 100 Views of Fuji.

Fuji under a Sluice (Kakehi no Fuji)

number 54 from 100 Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku Hyakkeei) Volume 2

Possibly a figment of Hokusai’s imagination since no sluice of this description is known to have existed. A characteristic bevy of Hokusai figures survey the water spewing from the sluice and which seems to be pouring directly on one of the boats below.

first published c 1840
71 x 24.75 cm

framed $880

One of the great greatest draftsmen of world art, he is the most highly regarded Japanese artist in the West. His long life was devoted to a constant and daring exploration of design and painting. He is responsible for many of the great masterpieces of Ukiyo-e, including ‘The Great Wave’ and his illustrated 3 volume book, 100 Views of Fuji.

Travellers in Winter

from Hokusai Gafu (Hokusai Album of Pictures) 3 Volumes

original woodblock print, published by Eirakuya Toshiro early 1849
12.4 x 18.5 cm

SOLD

The most popular, commercially successful and prolific Ukiyo-e artist of the 19th Century, Kunisada was the principal chronicler of Kabuki theatre performances and the actors who starred in them. Although Kabuki actors formed about 70% of his output. he designed many prints of beautiful women, erotica and illustrations for novels. A pupil of Utagawa Toyokuni, Kunisada adopted his master’s name in 1844 on the death of Toyokuni II (Toyoshige) whose assumption of that name, Kunisada never recognized.

Young Samurai with falcon

Published c. 1830
71.75 x 24.75 cm

SOLD

The most popular, commercially successful and prolific Ukiyo-e artist of the 19th Century, Kunisada was the principal chronicler of Kabuki theatre performances and the actors who starred in them. Although Kabuki actors formed about 70% of his output. he designed many prints of beautiful women, erotica and illustrations for novels. A pupil of Utagawa Toyokuni, Kunisada adopted his master’s name in 1844 on the death of Toyokuni II (Toyoshige) whose assumption of that name, Kunisada never recognized.

From the Kabuki play, Jiraiya goketsu The actor Ichikawa Danjuro VIII in the role of Jiraiya drawing his sword and threatening the man to the left. He wears a powerful stage garment fashioned as a giant eagle.

Published by Yamamotoya Heikichi 7th Month 1853
37 x 52 cm

$ 1100

Pupil and son-in-law of Kunisada, he continued his master’s role as a principal chronicler of Kabuki theatre performances and the actors who starred in them. Although he often lacked Kunisada’s brilliance, his most outstanding designs were a worthy match.

A beauty among autumn grasses

Published c. 1865
71.75 x 24.75 cm

$2750

Pupil and son-in-law of Kunisada, he continued his master’s role as a principal chronicler of Kabuki theatre performances and the actors who starred in them. Although he often lacked Kunisada’s brilliance, his most outstanding designs were a worthy match.

Eastern Genji and the Autumn Moon at Fukagawa

From the Tales of Genji, the young prince arrives by boat for a moon viewing party

Published 1856
35 x 73cm

$2200

Pupil and son-in-law of Kunisada, he continued his master’s role as a principal chronicler of Kabuki theatre performances and the actors who starred in them. Although he often lacked Kunisada’s brilliance, his most outstanding designs were a worthy match.

Prince Genji and Court Ladies viewing Cherry Blossom

Published c.1860
35 x 73 cm

SOLD

More than any other artist, Hiroshige’s work is responsible for the Westerner’s view of the quintessential Japanese landscape. His print designs have enormous charm, show great technical virtuosity and continue to enjoy enormous popularity both within and outside Japan.

Noge and Yokohama in Muashi Province
from the series, 36 Views of Fuji (Fuji sanjurokkei)

original woodblock print, published by Tsutaya Kichibai 1858
34 x 22.5 cm

$ 3300

Pupil and son-in-law of Hiroshige, he continued his master's role as a chronicler of the Japanese landscape.

Daijô-ji Temple at Kanazawa in Kaga Province

(Kaga Kanazawa Daijô-ji), from the series One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)

published by Uoya Eikichi 11/1859

original woodblock print
33.5 x 22.5 cm

$ 4400

Kirufini Waterfall in Nikko Province

(Kaga Kanazawa Daijô-ji), number 38 from the series One Hundred Famous Views in the Various Provinces (Shokoku meisho hyakkei)

published by Uoya Eikichi 1859

original woodblock print
33.5 x 22.5 cm

$ 3300

Prince Genji riding an oxen being led by an abolene diver along the sea shore with Endoshima Island in the distance.

original woodblock print, published 1860
36 x 49.3 cm

$ 2200

From the series ‘Scenes of Famous Places along the Tokaido Road”. Enoshima.

Published by Isaya Kanakichi, 1863
35 x 22 cm

Reserved

followed in the footsteps of Kuniyoshi in designing warrior scenes and landscapes but in his later career became best known for his depictions of foreigners in Yokohama.

Tiger in a bamboo grove

Published by Marujin c. 1852
72.5 x 24.5 cm

$ 4400

One of the most successful print makers from Osaka, he concentrated on actor portraits in the smaller ‘chuban’ format favoured by Osaka artists, using the exceptional printing techniques of the Osaka publishers.

Kokin Huyatoki, Inagena River

Published c. 1840
23 x 17cm

$495

Widely recognized as the last great master of the ukiyo-e genre of wood block printing, he is also regarded as one of the form's greatest innovators. Renowned for his images of beauty and violence, he almost singlehandedly managed to push the traditional Japanese woodblock print to a new level, before it effectively died with him. His reputation has only continued to grow, both in the West, and among younger Japanese, and he is now almost universally recognized as the greatest Japanese artist of his era

From the series Tsuki hyakushi (One Hundred Aspects of the Moon) number 26, the Casia Tree Moon (Wu Gang). Wu Gang punished eternally to chop off the branches of the 10,000 feet high cassia trees on the moon, which instantly regrow.

colour woodblock print, Published by Akiyama Buemon, 1885
36.5 x 24 cm

$ 2750