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Seizan Aoyama. active c. 1920's-30's.
Horse Study. c. 1925. Oban: 10 x 15 1/2. Signed and sealed. Aoyama made a series of horses in the zen style in the 1920's - 30's. Affixed to the mat at the top and bottom margins. A fine impression with good color. $175.
Nishimura Hodo.
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.
Ohara Koson (Shoson). 1877-1945.
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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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
Nuthatcher Atop Persimmons. c. 1910-1923. Otanzaku: 13 37/16 x 7 3/16 (sheet 14 7/16 x 7 1/2). Signed and sealed Koson. Publisher: Daikoku-ya (Tokyo publisher, 1818-1923). Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, Newland K18.2, p. 178. A charming pre-1923 earthquake image with brilliant colors. $750.
Six Wild Geese. 1926. Oban: 14 1/4 x 9 1/2 (sheet 15 1/4 x 10 1/4). Signed and sealed Shoson. Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo - copyright seal "c" (1929-42) in the right-hand margin. A fine early impression in pristine condition. Subtle shading; very detailed carving with gauffrage; crisp lines. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, S11.5, pp. 147, 197. $550.
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 Goldfish. Shikishiban: 9 5/16 x 9 11/16 (sheet 10 3/4 x 11 14). Signed and sealed Koson. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, #K39.15, p. 189. Color variant with the framed black outline. The prints shows highly refined bokashi shading. Excellent color and condition. $500.
Wading Egret with Reeds. Shikishiban: 9 1/2 x 10 1/16. Signed Koson. 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 different 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.
Two Wild Ducks in Flight Above Reeds, a Full Moon Behind. Pre-1923. Otanzaku: 13 7/8 x 7 1/4 (sheet 14 1/2 x 7 1/2). Publisher: Daikokuya. Signed and sealed Koson. Illustrated: Crows, Cranes & Camellias, K7.105, p. 172. Subtle bokashi shading with gauffrage and white 'gofun' overprinting in the ducks' feathers. A fine pre-earthquake print in pristine condition. $750.
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.
Shiko Munakata. 1903-1975.
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.
Okada Saburosuke. 1869-1939.
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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. $950.
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Kagamijishi - Lion Dance. c. 1941. Oban: 15 3/4 x 10 5/8 (sheet 17 5/8 x 11 5/8). Signature: Sadanobu. Seal: Ukiyoe-Dakumi. Publisher: Uchida with his copyright. Printed on the full sheet of paper countermarked Uchida. $350.
Jun'ichiro Sekino. 1914-1988.
Jun'ichiro Sekino was born in Aomori. From childhood, he knew Munakata Shiko, 11 years his senior. He studied etching, oil painting an drawing in Kyoto. He studied woodblock printmaking with Onchi Koshiro and Maekawa Swnpan. He was a prolific printmaker, who styled ranged from semi-abstract to detailed portraiture. In 1959 he started a series of prints, The Fifty-Three Stations of the Tokaido (Eastern Sea Road), and completed the series in 1974. In 1975, after completion of the series, the received he Ministry of Education Award for his outstanding achievement "in using every possible technique in woodblock printing, Japanese traditional art, and the recreation of the old fifty-three stations on the Tokaido highway in present-day light."
Okitsu on the Tokaido. c. 1953. Woodcut. 13 7/8 x x 18 (sheet 16 7/8 x 18) . Series: The New 53 Stations of the Tokaido. Signed in watercolor in the image. Printed on paper watermarked "Jun Sekino". Framed. $750.
Takahashi Hiroaki (Shotei). 1871-1945.
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Asagoya by Night -- Wagon Puller. pre- 1936. Woodcut printed in colors. Watanabe 1936 catalogue 230; shotei.com website #M30. Woodcut printed in colors. Tanzaku: 14 11/16 x 6 3/8 (sheet 14 15/16 x 6 5/8). Signed and sealed "Hiroaki." Subtle shading; white 'gofun' pigment overprinting and gauffrage in the rain. A stunning night scene. $475.
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. $425.
Sekiyado. c. 1920-30. Woodcut printed in colors. Watanabe 1936 catalogue 210; shotei.com M33. Tanzaku: 14 5/8 x 6 7/16 (sheet 15 1/8 x 6 13/16). Signed and sealed "Shotei." A fine impression with bokashi shading throughout, and white 'gofun' pigments overprinted as smoke. Excellent color and condition. $475.
Shower at Takaido; Passengers at a Loss. Pre-1936. Woodcut printed in colors. Watanabe 1936 catalogue 210; shotei.com M-10. Tanzaku: 14 5/8 x 6 5/16 (sheet 15 1/8 x 6 3/4). Signed and sealed "Shotei." A fine impression with bokashi shading throughout, and gauffrage on the travellers. Excellent color and condition. $475.
Tomikichiro Tokuriki. 1902-1999.
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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.
Hiroshi Yoshida. 1876-1950.
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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.
Hiroshi Yoshida's watercolors developed throughout his career. The signatures also changed. Earlier signatures tend to be in cursive script, while later ones are often printed in block letters.
Kawaba. c. 1920. Watercolor on paper. 9 7/8 x 18 1/8. Signed and titled lower left. A fine example of an early watercolor. $3,000.
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.
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