Hiroshige (1797-1858) did several series of the "53 Stations of Tokaido". This scene is from one of the series and it has that marvelous blue transitioning from deep saphire to light blue. I also like the diagonally winding road with the tiny figures diminishing into the horizon. Signature of the artist lower left, censor seals upper right next to the banner. Beautifully matted in raw silk and in an oriental style frame. Most likely Edo period.
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This is a remarkable western style marine / naval print or engraving from 1894, or Meiji 27th year. The title is "Japan Qing Naval Battle near Hoto island". There is a text frame on the upper right describing the event. The legend below gives the printing year and date (8th month 4th day), and publication date of 8th month the 7th day. Also gives the publisher, Kato in Nihonbashi and the printer, Suzuki in Kyobashi, both name and address.
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This one is really fun, yet another refined way to celebrate the cherry blossom festival. The ladies are composing poetry (usually haiku) and writing them onto fans, which are then floated in the water and drift down stream. Again cherry blossoms everywhere. Seal mark of artist. This is an original dyptich (double print) of a cherry blossom festival about 14 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches. Very good condition with a faint faint stain in the middle.
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Toyokuni (1769-1825) is best known for his actor and women woodblocks. This scene of 2 young bijin seated in front of a brazier is from the series "36 Famous Beauties", circa 1820. Very good lines, and I like especially the artistic device showing the warmth flowing from the heater across the 2 figures. Image showing 9 by 13 inches. Matted and set in an older bamboo motif frame. Frame size about 12 by 16 inches. Slight fading on the print. Otherwise both print and frame in good conditi ...click for details
This antique woodblock print is full of activity for the cherry blossom festival procession or parade. I count 18 young women behind 2 youthful samurai carrying and escorting a sedan chair. (These processions are wonderful and they still have them today. They wend their way through the narrow streets, musical instruments blaring and people dancing as they go. Food vendors everywhere.) Their lady sits inside. Again cherry blossoms everywhere. Seal mark of artist. This is a dyptich (double prin ...click for details
The Japanese go to considerable lengths to amuse their children as this print shows. A young girl is seated in a boat shaped wagon on wheels, with 2 smaller children along side. A young woman pulls the wagon while the master looks on. A 3rd adult is holding a gift box. Seal mark of artist. This is a dyptich (double print) of a cherry blossom festival celebration; about 14 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches. Very good condition with a light stain in the middle. Versatile size.
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This is a gorgeous Japanese woodblock print by the 19th century master Chikanobu (1838-1912). It shows 3 young women and their young lord in a boat enjoying the lush spring. They are surrounded by cherry blossoms and the water is jumping with happy carp. You can see the tea hamper with the neatly arranged tea service. Seal mark of artist and of woodblock carver (unusual to have carver's seal). This is a dyptich (double print), from a cherry blossom festival album about 14 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches ...click for details
From Chikanobu cherry blossom festival series. It shows a lady doing a puppet show for a young girl while 2 attendants look on. Seal mark of artist. This is a dyptich (double print), from a cherry blossom festival album about 14 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches. They offer wonderful glimpses of how they lived. Very good condition with a faint faint stain in the middle.
Gorgeous antique woodblock, great for a gift. I have a numbe ...click for details
A graceful bijin (beauty) woodblock print by the 18th century artist Kiyomine Torii (1787 - 1868), a pupil and grandson of Torii Kiyonaga of Edo (Tokyo). His prints of this early period are generally considered his best. His bijin often have the elongated lines leaning slightly backwards and gazing at the long train of her kimono, typical of the Torii school. He later used the name Torii Kiyomitsu II. In this print, artist signature at left, publisher seals Nishimra-ya (1730-1840s) below. ...click for details
The early Japanese woodblock artists did many many famous bijin, or beauties. Kikugawa Eizan (1787-1867) was well known for his pictures of women and developed a style influenced by Hokusai and Utamaro. This picture of a geisha holding an incense pot has long flowing lines. It is framed in mahogoney, with his signature & seal. It is also rare due to the unusual size, which is a vertical diptych (double print), called kakemono. Picture area showing 8 1/2 by 26 trimmed and matted, frame 14 1/2 ...click for details
