Shibaraku. c. 1975. 6 x 6 (sheet 11 7/8 x 9 1/4). Edition 100, #2. A dramatic impression printed on tan mulberry paper. Numbered, signed in Japanese and English in pencil; titled verso. $450.
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.
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Canal, Origawa, Kyoto. 1983. Woodcut printed in colors. Oban: 10 1/4 x 15 (sheet 12 1/2 x 17 7/8). Edition 150, #42. A fine impression printed on the full sheet with deckle edges. Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil. $300.
Gion Temple in Autumn. 1984. Woodcut printed in colors. Oban: 10 3/16 x 15 (sheet 12 1/2 x 17 1/4). Edition 150, #7. A fine impression printed on the full sheet with deckle edges. Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil. $300.
Kameokea Castle. (Hirado). 1983. Woodcut printed in colors. Oban: 10 1/4 x 15 (sheet 12 1/2 x 17 3/4). Edition 150, #66. A fine impression printed on the full sheet with deckle edges. Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil. $300.
Zen Garden, Japan. 1983. Woodcut printed in colors. Oban: 15 x 10 1/4 (sheet 17 1/2 x 12 5/8). Edition 150, #45. A fine impression printed on the full sheet with deckle edges. Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil. $300.
Zen Garden. 1965. Stencil. 16 1/2 x 21 3/8. Publisher: Mikumo. A fine impression printed on the full sheet with deckle edges. Sealed in the margin. $400.
September. c. 1980. Serigraph printed in colors. 6 7/8 x 9 1/2 (sheet 9 7/8 x 12 3/4). Edition 100, #93. Pistine color and condition. An exquisite tonal image. Signed, titled and numbered in pencil. $275.
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.
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.
White Road (A). 1987. Woodcut printed in colors. Oban: 9 1/4 x 15 1/2 (sheet 12 3/8 x 19). Edition 125, #4. A fine impression in pristine condition printed on the full sheet with deckle edges. Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil. $300.
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).
Click upon the images for larger screens.
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). Original publisher: Daikoku-ya (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Post-earthquake (black border) version by Kawaguchi (Tokyo publisher -- active 1920's - 1940's) or Nishinomiya (Tokyo publisher--active 1938 until late-1950's. Stamped 'Number 16' and "made in Japan' verso. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K35.7, p. 186. Slight soiling in the top margin; otherwise in excellent condition with wide margins. A fine impression with gauffrage in the bird and the cherry blossoms, subtle shading and glowing colors. Signed and sealed Koson. $450.
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 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.
Shikishiban: 9 3/8 x 9 13/16 (sheet 10 3/4 x 11 1/4). Signed and sealed Koson. Original publisher: Daikoku-ya (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Stamped 'number 25' and 'Printed in Japan' verso. "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. $650.
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.
February -- Orchid. (Nigatsu - Ranjo no saku). 1956. Woodcut with hand-applied color. 17 x 13 (sheet 18 1/4 x 21 1/2). Series: Calender in the Mood of the Tea Ceremony. Signed in pencil "Munakata" and sealed in red Hogan Muna Siko -- sumizuri-e. On the full sheet with deckle edges. $7,500.
A woodcut calender of twleve images was made for the Urasenke tea ceremony school, which reproduced one image each month in its magazine Tanko. Most of the months, including February, are represented by examples from nature traditionally associated with the season. Illustrated: Sori Yangai, The Woodblock and the Artist. The Life and Works of Shiko Munakata.
Tree Scene 17. Tree Scene 17. 1992. Woodblock on gold leaf. 11 3/8 x 11 3/8 (sheet 14 1/2 x 14 1/2). Edition 300, #195. A fine impression in pristine condition. Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil, with the artist's red seal. $500.
Tree Scene 51. 1995. Woodblock on gold leaf. 3 1/2 x 13 5/8 (sheet 6 1/4 x 16 3/8). Edition 300, #67. A fine impression in pristine condition. Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil, with the artist's red seal. $375.
Rain in May.Woodcut printed in colors. 28 1/2 x 21 1/2 (sheet 24 1/4 x 33 1/2). Edition 35, #23. Signed and titled in pencil. $3,500.
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Heroine Osan in Daikyoji Mukashi-Goyomi. c. 1923. Dai oban. Image: 15 3/8 x 7 7/8 (sheet 17 3/4 x 11). Series: Complete Works of Chikamatsu. Publisher: Nishima. Printed in tones of grey and beige. A sensitive study of a young woman. $550.
Okitsu on the Tokaido. 1974. Woodcut. 13 7/8 x x 18 (sheet 16 7/8 x 18) . Series: The 53 Stations of the Tokaido. Printed on paper watermarked "Jun Sekino. Signed in the image. Seal: Jun. Framed. $500; $550 framed.
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Mt. Fuji from Miho. c. 1920-30. Woodcut printed in colors. Watanabe 1936 catalogue 228; shotei.com M28. Tanzaku: 14 3/4 x 6 3/8 (sheet 15 x 6 1/2). Signed and sealed "Hiroaki." A fine impression with bokashi shading throughout, and gauffrage on the pine trees and boat. Excellent color and condition. $475.
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Lake Biwa Viewed at Medura Temple. c. 1950. Japanese woodblock print. Shishikiban: 10 1/4 x 11 3/8. Series: New Eight Views of Oomi, #5. Printer: Uchida. Excellent color and condition. Signed and sealed. $150.
Rearing Horse. Woodcut printed in colors. 13 1/2 x 10 (image). Urushibara did a series of horse studies. Elegantly preented in a black wood frame with a decorative red inset; archivally matted(frame dimensions 20 x 16). Sealed, upper right; signed in pencil, lower right. $275.
White Lilies. Woodcut printed in colors. 15 3/4 x 10 1/2 (17 1/2 x 12 3/8). Signed and annotated "No. 35" in pencil. A fine impression with good color, printed on Japanese mulberry paper. $975.
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.
Hope. 1961. Color dye stencil. 20 1/2 x 17 5/7 (sheet 25 x 23). Edition 50, #16. Signed, dated and numbered in pencil. Printed on crumpled, hand-made paper on the full sheet with deckle edges. $1,750.
Fragment. 2001. Etching, aquatint and mezzotint. 11 1/2 x 10 3/4 (sheet 20 1/2 x 15). Edition 30, #7. A fine impression printed on the full sheet with deckle edges. Presenttion print to celebrate the one year reunion of the 25th anniversary of the Fumin Fukyu. Original presentation folder. Signed, dated, titled and numbered in pencil. $400.
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Evening After Rain. 1926. Yoshida 39. Oban: 9 3/4 x 14 3/4 (sheet 10 1/2 x 15 1/2). First Inland Sea series. Signatures: Yoshida in brush, artist's seal Hiroshi. Hiroshi Yoshida in pencil on the lower margin. Publisher: Jizuri seal (self printed). Signed and titled in pencil. $2,500.
Urayasu. 1951. Oban: 15 5/8 x 10 1/2. Signed in pencil; stamped title. Urayasu is in Chiba prefecture. Fine color and condition. $650.
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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[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.
Measurements are in inches, height first.
13. Torii (8 x 3 7/16). 14. Bamboo (8 x 3 7/16).
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).
To order, to report broken links or to be placed on the email list, please contact Jane Allinson (jane@allinsongallery.com) or send a fax to (860 ) 429 2825.