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
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
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
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
This is a fun woodblock showing a naked man being tossed out of either a gambling house or a geisha house. It seems to be a universal practice, if you can't pay up, you get thrown out without clothes. Look at that oba-san's expression! By Toyokuni. Image area 9 3/4 by 13 1/2 inches. Double matted in grey and black. Good condition with about 5 small worm holes. Seal of artist on the drawer, lower right. There are 2 seals at the lower left. One is the publisher. The other is unusual, a sea ...click for details
The Japanese wood blocks are sometimes quite humorous with a social commentary. This is a marvelous and genuine 19th century Hiroshige II (1829-1869) print. It shows a naughty boy shooting a jet of water in the face of a samurai attendant while his master looks on. Judging by the looks on the faces of the passers by, they all approved, including the mother who seems to be giving them a tongue lashing. Image is 9 x 13 1/2 inches showing and in a 14 by 18 inch frame. (Note. The frame is not bent, ...click for details
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 print or engraving from 1894, or Meiji 27th year. The title is "Our Fleet Bombarding the Weihaiwei Fortress". There is an artist's signature towards the lower left, and a text frame on the upper right describing the event. The legend below gives the printing year and date (8th month 31st day), and publication date of 9th month the 4th day. Also gives the publisher and the printer, both name and address. Image approximately 21 1/4 by 15 1/2 inches. ...click for details
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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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
