"And then they heard the angels tell
`Who were the first to cry NOWELL?
Animals all, as it befell,
In the stable where they did dwell!"
English carol.
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Goose. c. 1881. Chuban: 7 1/8 x 4 5/8 (Framed 20 3/4 x 17). Signed (signature not read). Framed and glazed. $125.
Hawk Attacking a Duck. 1881. Chuban: 8 x 5 3 /4 (sheet 9 3/4 x 6 5/8). Probably from the book: Bairei's Album of 100 Birds. Publisher: Okura Magohei. Seal: Bairei. $75.
Yorimasa and the Wild Boar. 1830. Kakuban Surimono. 8 1/4 x 7 1/16. Sheet grubby, some soiling. Gauffrage in the Kimono and the boar's head. Unsigned. $1,500.
Three Carp. 1916. Woodblock. Oban: 8 x 11 3/4 (sheet 10 x 14 1/2). Series of 12 prints: Gekko's Gahou. Subtle bokashi shading. Gauffrage in the fish and water. Signed 'Gekko' above the artist's rectangular seal. $275.
Two Rabbits at Night. c. 1938. Woodcut printed in colors. Oban: 14 1/2 x10 (sheet 15 1/2 x 11). Publisher: Takemura Hideo (Yokahama 1926-39). Signed and sealed Hodo. "Made in Japan" seal verso. A rich impression with subtle bokashi shading, extensive gauffrage on the flowers and rabbits, gofun white pigment on the white fur. Pristine color and condition. $550.
Kacho-e is the Japanese term for prints that depict birds and flowers. Such subjects have a long tradition in Chinese and Japanese painting. Below are some woodblock prints in this tradition, by artists whose seals and signatures are unread.
Click Kacho-e for small screen; click on the images for larger screens.
Cicada on a tree trunk. c. 1900. Oban: 12 3/4 x 8 3/16 (image and sheet). Extremely subtle shading, and striking colors. Printed with gauffrage (embossing) in the cicada, the leaves and the tree. Ex-collection: Haverhill, MA, Public Library. Signed and sealed. $175.
Dragonfly. c. 1900. Shishikiban: 8 5/8 x 8 3/18 (image and sheet). Number '2' in a cartouche. Lower right-hand corner cut; otherwise fine condition. Signed and sealed. Extremely subtle shading, and striking colors. Printed with gauffrage (embossing) in the Dragonfly, the flowers and the bamboo. $175.
Tortoise. c. 1910. Oban:5 x 14 (sheet 10 1/8 x 145/8). A fine impression printed with gauffrage in the tortoise's shell and in the flowers on mulberry paper with mica highlights. The tortoise is regarded as a symbol of good fortune. Unsigned. $175.
Flowers.
Wisteria. c. 1900. Woodblock print. Oban: 10 x 13 (image and sheet). Gauffrage on the flowers and vine. Sealed, lower right. $125.
Yellow Flowers. c. 1900. Woodblock print. Oban: 10 x 13 3/8 (image and sheet). Gauffrage on the flowers. Sealed, lower right. $125.
Reference is made to the excellent new study by Newland, Perée and Schaap, Crows, Cranes & Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Leiden, Hotei Publishing, 2001).
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Carrion Crow on a Snow-covered Branch at Dawn. c. 1930. Otanzaku: 14 9/16 x 6 5/8 (sheet 14 15/16 x 6 3/4). Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias S5.5. Signed and sealed Shoson. $975.
Crow on a Snowy Bough (grey sky). O-tanzaku: 13 1/2 x 7 1/2 (sheet 1 4 3/4 x 7 1/2). Publisher; Daikoku-ya (Matsuki) Heikichi (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias plate 48, checklist K5.7. Subtle bokashi shading; gauffrage in the snow; shiny black lacquer feathers; nicely visible woodgrain; very fine, crisp detailing. Excellent condition. Signed and sealed Koson. $975.
Eagle in Flight against a Snowy Sky. 1933. Oban: 14 3/16 x 9 7/16 (sheet 15 3/8 x 10 3/8). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S13.2, p. 197. Signed Shoson. An early printing in pristine condition. Extremely subtle shading, and striking colors. Printed with gauffrage (embossing) in the eagle's feathers and on the snow-covered trees. $500.
Lapwing on Tree Stump. c. 1910-1923. Otanzaku: 13 1/2 x 7 5/16 (sheet 14 x 7 1/2). Signed and sealed Koson. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Matsuki) Heikichi (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, #57, p. 79; checklist K22.2, p. 179. A charming pre-1923 earthquake image with subtle shading in the background, and gauffrage on the bird. $675.
Small Songbird Hanging from a Twig with Blossoming Cherry. Shikishiban: 9 1/4 x 9 3/4 (sheet 11 7/8 x 11 1/8). Signed and sealed Koson. Publisher: Daikokuya. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K35.7, p. 186. A fine impression with subtle shading and glowing colors. Gauffrage in the bird and the cherry blossoms. Slight soiling in the top margin; otherwise in excellent condition with wide margins. $550.
Sparrows on Wisteria. c. 1940's-50's. Dai oban: 16 11/16 x 10 1/4 (sheet 17 5/16 x 10 3/4). Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Tokyo publisher--known active 1938 until late 1950's; then sporadically until present day.) Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias plate 142, checklist K33.10. Soft 'bokashi' shading; gauffrage in the birds and the wisteria. Excellent condition. Signed and sealed Koson. $1,500.
Sparrows over Grass. c. 1940's-50's. Dai oban: 16 1/2 x 10 3/8 (sheet 17 9/16 x 10 5/8). Publisher probably Nishinomiya Yosaku (Tokyo publisher--known active 1938 until late 1950's; then sporadically until present day.) Not in Crows, Cranes & Camellias ; variant of plate 142, checklist K33.8. The version in the catalogue has two sparrows fighting over a snow-covered branch. This variant presents the two sparrows fighting over grass, with a third sparrow flying overhead. Subtle 'bokashi' shading; gauffrage in the birds' feathers. Grubby margins; some soiling in the sky. Signed and sealed Koson. An extremely rare image. $1,500.
Two Carp and White Lotus. 1933. Shikishiban: 10 14/16 x 9 7/8 (sheet 10 10/16 x 9 11/16). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S39.5, p. 201. A fine impression with subtle shading and glowing colors, in pristine condition. $650.
Two Geese Swimming Near Reeds. 1926. Oban: 14 3/16 x 9 9 5/16 (sheet 15 x 10 5/16). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo - copyright seal "d" (1931-41) in the left-hand margin. Edition 200. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S11.3, p. 197. A fine early impression in pristine condition. $850.
Two Mallards in Flight in Front of a Full Moon. Yoko otanzaku: 14 5/16 x 7 7/16. Signed and sealed Koson. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Matsuke) Heikichi(Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). A fine pre-war impression in pristine condition. Subtle shading with gauffrage in the geese. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K7.1, p172. $650.
Two White-Fronted Geese in Flight in front of a Full Moon. c. 1910-1923. Shikishiban: 10 7/8 x 9 7/8.Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, Newland K11.3, page 174. Scattered foxing in the lower margin. Extensive gauffrage in the birds' feathers and in the outline of the moon. Signed Koson; not sealed. $375.
Two Wild Ducks Near Water, Reeds Behind. Otanzaku: 14 15/16 x 6 3/4. Illustrated: Newland, Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S7.4, page 196. Signed and sealed Shoson. An excellent impression with subtle bokashi shading througout, and gauffrage in the birds' feathers and in the ripples of the water. $650.
Wading Egret with Reeds. Shikishiban: 9 1/2 x 10 1/16. Signed Koson; no seal. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Matsuke) Heikichi(Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K 14.15, p. 177, and page 82. According to Newland et al, p. 82, "The soft feathers of the bird are beautifully suggested by white and grey printing, overprinted by white. Gauffrage in the birds' feathers and ripples in the water. Excellent color and condition. $550.
This was a popular image, that went through several printings.
Wading Egret with Reeds. Shikishiban: 9 3/8 x 9 13/16 (sheet 10 3/4 x 11 1/4). Signed and sealed Koson. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Matsuke) Heikichi(Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). "Made in Japan. No 25" stamp on the verso. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K 14.15, p. 177, and page 82. The print in Newland is unsealed. This image is sealed, so is presumably an earlier printing. This print is also different in color, as the blue is more of a robin-s egg blue than grey. According to Newland et al, p. 82, "The soft feathers of the bird are beautifully suggested by white and grey printing, overprinted by white. Gauffrage in the birds' feathers and ripples in the water. Excellent color and condition. $850.
White Fronted Geese Flying above Reeds and Water. c. 1933. Shikishiban: 10 10/16 x 9 1/16 (sheet 10 14/16 x 9 12/16). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S11.6, p. 197. A fine impression with subtle shading and gauffrage (embossing) in the 2 large BIRDS'' feathers. Based on the body markings, these actually appear to be mallard ducks not geese. Pristine color and condition. $500.
Miniature Japanese Woodblock Prints.
Each $50.
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The Four Seasons: Sparrow, Peony, Stook, Snow. Woodblock print. 2 9/16 x 2 1/2 (image and sheet). Subtle shading and gauffrage. Sealed ,lower right. [Crane]. Woodblock print. 7 7/8 x 3 3/4 (image and sheet). Signed and sealed, lower right. Subtle shading and gauffrage. $50 each.
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Deer in Moonlight and Fisherman in Moonlight. Woodcuts printed in colors. Sho-tanzakus: 9 11/16 x 3 and 9 1/16 x 3 1/16 (image and sheet). Subtle shading; gauffrage in the moon and deer; in the moon and in the net. Unsigned; sealed. $50 each.
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Plum Blossoms in Moonlight and Moonlight. Woodcuts printed in colors. Sho-tanzakus: 9 11/16 x 3 and 9 3/4 x 3 1/16 (image and sheet). Subtle shading; gauffrage in the branch and flowers; in the moon and in the lantern. Unsigned; sealed. $50 each.
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Plum Blossoms in Moonlight and Lantern in Snow. Woodcuts printed in colors. Sho-tanzakus: 9 3/4 x 3 (image and sheet). 2 pinholes in the former, top right, and soiling in the moon and on the left, under the branch; the latter in fine condition. Subtle shading; gauffrage in the branch and flowers; in the moon and in the lantern. Unsigned; sealed "Sho." (NOT Shotei). $50 each.
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Gulls Woodcut printed in colors.7 1/8 x 4 3/4 (image and sheet). Subtle shading. Signed and sealed. $50.
Mt. Fuji and Waves. Woodcut printed in colors. 6 5/16 x 4 5/16 (image and sheet). Subtle shading; gauffrage in the waves.Signed and sealed. $50.
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Fox in Moonlight. Woodcut printed in colors. 7 11/16 x 3 9/16(image and sheet). Subtle shading. Signed and sealed. $50.
[Boatman]. Woodblock print. Yatsutiri-ban: 3 3/4 x 6 1/4 (image and sheet). Sealed, lower left. $50.
Stooks in Moonlight. Woodcut printed in colors. 6 5/8 x 4 9/16 (image and sheet). Subtle shading; gauffrage in the waves. Signed and sealed. $50.
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Evening Stroll. Woodcut printed in colors. 7 7/8 x 3 3/8 (image and sheet). Subtle shading. Sealed. $50.
Singers. Woodcut printed in colors. 6 5/16 x 4 5/16 (image and sheet). Subtle shading. Sealed. $50.
Measurements are in inches, height first.
1. Cherry Blossoms (8 x 3 7/16). 2. Swallows (8 x 3 7/16). 3. Flying Fish (8 x 3 1/2). $50 each.
4. Herons (8 x 3 1/2). 5. Bird trap (8 x 3 1/2). 6. Fantails (8 x 3 7/16). $50 each.
7. Heron and Iris (9 3/16 x 2 7/16). 8. Kingfisher and Iris (4 7/16 x 3 5/16). 9. Geese and Full Moon (9 1/4 x 2). $50 each.
10. Nightwatch (9 1/4 x 2 1/16). 11. Farmhouse and Crescent (3 7 1/6 x 5 1/2). 12. Waterfall and Crescent Moon (9 1/4 x 2). $50 each.
13. Torii (8 x 3 7/16). 14. Bamboo (8 x 3 7/16). $50 each.
15. Crustaceans and Bucket (8 x 3 1/2). 16. Boat Prow and Mount Fuji (8 x 3 7/16). 17. Lantern and Camellias (8 x 3 7/16). $50 each.
All miniature prints are $50 each.
Crabs and Pebbles. White and dark ground Japanese stencil on mulberry paper treated with persimmon juice and smoked. Carved with 'tsukibori' or pushed cut technique. 8 1/8 x 13 5/8 (sheet 10 5/8 x 16 1/8). $400.
Cat and Mouse Beneath a Crescent Moon. Vertical oban: 14 5/8 x 9 7/8 (sheet 15 7/16 x 10 3/16). Signed "Kyosai ga." Excellent color and condition. $550.
[Monkey Business]. Vertical oban: 15 1/8 x 10 1/8. Signed and sealed "Seiho." Excellent color and condition. $550.
Rearing Horse. Woodcut printed in colors. 13 1/2 x 10 (image). Sealed, upper right; signed in pencil, lower right, pencil signed. One of a series of four woodcuts of horses. Archivally framed and glazed. $250.
The Adoration of the Shepherds.1961. Color dye stencil. 21 x 14 (sheet 22 x 30). Edition 200, #24. Printed on crumpled, hand-made paper on the full sheet with deckle edges. Signed and numbered in pencil. $1,750.
To order, to request more information, or to be placed on the email list, please contact Jane Allinson (allinson@earthlink.net).