Tag Archive for: ukiyoe

Ukiyo-e Prints Highlighting Celebrities of the Past

More than 100 Ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints from the Edo (1603-1868) and Meji (1868-1912) periods are offered in this week’s curated prints sale. Ukiyo-e is a genre of prints that depict common scenes of kabuki actors, samurai warriors and female bathers. Featured artists include some of the most prominent artists such as Katsushika Hokusai and Utagawa (Ando) Hiroshige.

A woodblock print by artist Hokushu depicts two kabuki actors of their day, Arashi Kichisaburo II and Nakamura Utaemon III. This dramatic print is dated ‘9/1820.’

Japanese woodblock print by Hokushu depicts actors Arashi Kichisaburo II as Koretaka Shinno in ‘Toki Wa Ima Ariwara Keizu’ and Nakamura Utaemon III as Kato Masakiyo in ‘Hachijin Shugo no Honjo,’ 1820, 9.5 x 14 inches. Estimate: $1,100-$1,300. Jasper52 image

 

Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s woodblock print pictures a Goshaku Somegoro, a popular 19th century Japanese musician.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, ‘Goshaku Somegoro,’ 1845, 15in x 10.25in, conservation matted to 20in x 16in. Estimate: $5,000-$5,600. Jasper52 image

 

The legend of Kintaro, the “Golden-boy,” is a popular subject for uikyo-e artists. Even as a child, Kintaro possessed incredible strength and lived in the wild mountains. He is often portrayed alongside animal friends or with the mountain woman, Yamamba. This version is by Utamaro I Kitagawa and is expected to sell for $4,500-$4,800.

Utamaro I Kitagawa, ‘Kintaro and the Mountain Woman Yamamba,’ Oban format, 24.1cm x 37.3cm, Edo period (1615-1868). Estimate: $4,500-$4,800. Jasper52 image

 

Another Edo period print by Utamaro I Kitagawa of a mother and child is one of a series titled Twelve Physiognomies of Beauties. The print carries a $5,800-$6,000 estimate.

Utamaro I Kitagawa, ‘Twelve Physiognomies of Beauties,’ series: Meisho fukubijin ni so, Oban format, 25.7cm x 38.5cm, Edo period. Estimate: $5,800-$6,000. Jasper52 image

 

Dating to the 1830s is Yanagawa Shigenobu’s Hana awase no. 2 (Flower Competition), Kotoba no hana (Flower of the Language). It is awarded a $2,500-$3,000 estimate.

Yanagawa Shigenobu, ‘Hana awase (A flower competition) no. 2: Kotoba no hana’ (Flower of the language), signed, Yanagawa seal, early 1830s, 8 1/4in x 7 3/8in). Estimate: $2,500-$3,000. Jasper52 image

 

From Yoshitoshi Taiso’s series Thirty-two Aspects of Women is a print depicting a concubine washing her hands. The second edition print was published in 1888 by Tsunashima Kamekichi of Tokyo.

Yoshitoshi Taiso, ‘Chilly – A Concubine, Bunka Era’ series: ‘Thirty-two Aspects of Women’ (Fuzoku Sanjuniso), 1888, image size: 9 3/8in x 14 1/8in. Estimate: $1,300-$1,600. Jasper52 image

 

View the fully illustrated catalog and find your next treasure.

13 Japanese Woodblock Prints To Prepare for Winter

Whether we’re ready for it or not, winter is coming. To prepare ourselves for the upcoming chilly season, we’ve collected a group of gorgeous winter scenes in selected Japanese prints.

“In much the same way that the Japanese go out in springtime to admire the cherry blossoms, the beauty of snow invites people to come out and admire the winter season,” according to Dieuwke Eijer, Japanese print expert. Further, “Images of cold winter, as indicated by snow scenes, invoke on the one hand feelings of melancholy, and on the other good feelings of bowls of hot noodles, and other typical winter sweet and delicacies.”

Hiroshige alone made over 1500 different winter scenes. The works incorporate a juxtaposition of the hardships endured by mid-19th century workers and travelers and the serenity of a snow-covered landscape. Despite the palpable discomfort of the situations portrayed, there is always an element of beauty visible.”

These 13 prints below highlight the natural beauty of the upcoming winter season. Bundle up and enjoy.

“Kyoto in Snow” by Ito Yuhan

Kyoto in Snow by artist Ito Yuhan, 1930s. Sold for $425

Kyoto in Snow by artist Ito Yuhan, 1930s. Sold for $425

 

“Kiso Gorge in Snow” by Hiroshige

Kiso Gorge in Snow Triptych by Hiroshige, 1857. Estimate: $400-$500

Kiso Gorge in Snow Triptych by Hiroshige, 1857. Sold for $340

 

“Falling in Snow” by Hirokage

Falling in Snow by artist Utagawa Hirokage, 1860. Estimate: $200-$300

Falling in Snow by artist Utagawa Hirokage, 1860. Estimate: $200-$300

 

“Snow at Shiba Daimon” by Hasui Kawase

Snow at Shiba Daimon by artist Hasui Kawase, 1936. Published posthumously by Watanabe. Sold for $280

Snow at Shiba Daimon by artist Hasui Kawase, 1936. Published posthumously by Watanabe. Sold for $280

 

“Mt Fuji in Snow” by Tomikichiro Tokuriki

Mt. Fuji in Snow by artist Tomikichiro Tokuriki, 1939. No. 16 from the series The Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji. Estimate: $100-$200

Mt. Fuji in Snow by artist Tomikichiro Tokuriki, 1939. No. 16 from the series The Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji

 

“Winter Landscape with Crows” by Yamamoto Shoun

Winter Landscape with Crows by artist Yamamoto Shoun, 1900-1910. Sold for $160

Winter Landscape with Crows by artist Yamamoto Shoun, 1900-1910. Sold for $160

 

“Mallard in Snow” by Ohara Koson

Mallard in Snow by Ohara Koson, 1910

Mallard in Snow by Ohara Koson, 1910. Sold for $110

 

“Snow at Nezu Shrine” by Koitsu Tsuchiya

Snow at Nezu Shrine by artist Koitsu Tsuchiya, 1950-1963. Yokoi/Harada seal, Early Edition published by Doi. Sold for $260

Snow at Nezu Shrine by artist Koitsu Tsuchiya, 1950-1963. Yokoi/Harada seal, Early Edition published by Doi. Sold for $260

 

“Imperial Palace in Snow” by Eiichi Kotozuka

Imperial Palace in Snow by artist Eiichi Kotozuka, 1950. Sold for $85

Imperial Palace in Snow by artist Eiichi Kotozuka, 1950. Sold for $85

 

“Itsukushima Shrine in Inland Sea” by Hasui Kawase

Tyobu-Torii of Itsukushima Shrine in Inland Sea by Hasui Kawase, 1936. Published by Watanabe for the book "Shinto and its Architecture"

Tyobu-Torii of Itsukushima Shrine in Inland Sea by Hasui Kawase, 1936. Published by Watanabe for the book “Shinto and its Architecture.” Sold for $100

 

“Sawatari in Joshu District” by Takahashi Shotei

Sawatari in Joshu District by Takahashi Shotei, 1936. Sold for $150

Sawatari in Joshu District by Takahashi Shotei, 1936. Sold for $150

 

“Honganji Temple in Snow” by Kotozuka Hiichi

Honganji Temple in Snow by artist Kotozuka Hiichi, 1950s. Sold for $180

Honganji Temple in Snow by artist Kotozuka Hiichi, 1950s. Sold for $180

 

“Hazy Moon on a Snowy Night” by Takahashi Shotei

Hazy Moon on a Snowy Night by Takahashi Shotei, 1936. Sold for $360

Hazy Moon on a Snowy Night by Takahashi Shotei, 1936. Sold for $360

Find a wintery Japanese woodblock print for your collection in this week’s Jasper52 auction