Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) depicting the cannibal Shutendoji surrounded by captive women from the series "One Hundred Ghost Stories of China and Japan" (Wakan hyaku monogatari ) published by Daikoku-ya Kinnosuke (Kinjiro) in 1865. Vertical oban size (14 1/4"V x 9 5/8"H). Very good overall condition and color with nice gauffrage highlights and margins evident. The print was removed from an album and is lightly album backed and slightly trimmed...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print triptych titled “Famous Places in Tokyo: Ueno Park” by Hiroshige III (1843-1894) dated 1876. This historically significant "enlightenment" print illustrates the influence of the west both on the architecture and on the western style attire of the visitors to the park. Cherry blossoms are in bloom and Mt. Fuji is in the background. Overall size: 13 3/4" x 28.” Very good overall condition and color...

Oban diptych by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) titled “The Story of the Strong Woman Takashima Oiko of Omi Province” from the series "A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures." The print depicts Takashima Oiko leading Saeki Urinaga home in an effort to strengthen him for a wrestling match. The artist's signature and Taiso seal are at the lower left. The lower left margin contains the date of "Meiji 22" (1889). The title cartouche is at the upper right. Published by Tsunashima Kamekichi...

Historically significant Japanese Meiji period woodblock print triptych by Kojima Shogetsu (active circa 1870-1904) illustrating the Emperor and Empress in the imperial carriage on the afternoon of February 11, 1889. The carriage and accompanying procession had just crossed the Niju Bridge and was heading to the parade grounds to celebrate Japan's new Constitution. This was the first time in Japan's history that the Emperor and Empress were seen riding together in the same coach...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) depicting the torture of a politically dissident woman titled “Muraoka, Head Lady-in-waiting of the Konoe Clan Bound with Rope” from the series “Personalities of Recent Times” published by Yamato Shimbunsha in 1887. Known image size: 12 15/16" x 8 13/16." Purchased at and framed by Robyn Buntin Gallery, Honolulu in a very high end frame. Visibly in very good overall condition with embossed highlights evident...

Rare Edo period Japanese namazu-e (earthquake fish picture) woodblock print featuring a giant human-like catfish receiving punishment after being found guilty by a judge for causing the Ansei earthquake of 1855. A group of human-like catfish watch as the punishment is being meted out. In Japanese mythology, it was believed that giant catfish living underground caused earthquakes with their thrashing movements...

Antique Japanese woodblock triptych print of a large samurai battle scene by the artist, Yoshitora Utagawa. Active during the late 19th century, Yoshitora Utagawa was best known for his dynamic battle scenes as well as prints of samurai, firemen, kabuki actors, beautiful women and foreigners. He was born in Edo but the exact year of his birth and death are unknown. He studied with the great print artist, Kuniyoshi Utagawa but later left his school and changed his name to Mosai...

Rare Japanese Meiji period woodblock print triptych of the Tokyo-Ueno/Yamashita Train and Ueno Station from the series “Famous Places in Tokyo” by Utagawa Kunitoshi (flourished 1847-1899) dated 1st month of Meiji 22 (1889). The triptych is bound in the original folder and has not been exposed to sunlight. "Enlightenment" prints of the 1880's - 1890's promoted modernization and illustrated the westernization of Japan. The Japanese built their first railroad in 1872...

Japanese Meiji period Yokohama woodblock print depicting Okiyo, the daughter of a gardener in Mukojima, meeting with a foreigner who desired her to be his concubine. This print is illustration no. 661 from the newspaper series “Yubin Hochi Shimbun” (Postal News) by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) published by Kinshôdô (Kumagai) the 4th month of 1875. 14 1/2"V x 9 3/4"H. Excellent color and very good overall condition with margins evident...

19th century Japanese Yokohama woodblock print depicting the famous Italian painter and printmaker Titian showing a bust portrait to a patron. This image is from a series of anonymous educational prints published in the early Meiji period that related to important Westerners...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print depicting William Howard Taft viewing a sumo match during his 1905 diplomatic mission to Japan. With Taft weighing in at over 300 lbs., this print is likely offering a subtle comparison between Taft and the wrestler. This print is unsigned and undated. 14 3/4"V x 10 3/8"H. Very good color and impression quality. Good overall condition with pigment transference at the upper left corner, some minor soiling, and a few small holes and thinned areas. The pr...

Historically important Japanese woodblock print triptych depicting the landing of foreigners of the “Five Treaty Nations” in Yokohama by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870). The print features soldiers and civilians from America, England, France, Russia, and The Netherlands grouped together with their respective flag and label. Two Chinese compradores, who facilitated trade, are in the foreground and western ships line the harbor in the background. The print is signed “Issen Yoshik...

Japanese Yokohama woodblock print triptych illustrating the interior of an American steamship by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870) published by Maruya Jinpachi in 1861. In this design, the artist utilizes the traditional Japanese convention of “roofless architecture” which allows the contents of the ship to be visible. Inside, westerners are seated at a long table having a dinner party. The assembled size is 14 5/8"V x 29 1/4"H (each panel is about 14 5/8"V x 10"H). Good overall c...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print by Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915) depicting Kusunoki Masashige (1294-1336) parting from his eldest son Masatsura (1326-1348) at Sakurai Station as he entrusts Masatsura to lead his clan in battle against Ashikaga no Takauji. The title cartouche is at the upper right and the date of 1883 is at the lower left. Kiyochika’s name is at the lower right. Paper size: 14 1/4" x 9 5/8." The print is not backed and is in good overall condition. There is some wr...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print depicting the journalist Fukuchi Gen'ichiro (1841-1906) reporting live at the battle front as government troops assaulted the rebels during the 1877 Satsuma Rebellion by Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915). This image is number 45 from the series "Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition" published by Matsuki Heikichi in 1885. The series title is at the top, the cartouche at the upper left contains a brief biography of Fukuchi Gen'ichiro, and the publisher's infor...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print triptych by Utagawa Kokunimasa (1874-1944), aka Ryua, titled “The battle between Japan and Russia at Seoul” depicting troops landing on the Korean peninsula at the start of the Russo-Japanese War. The print was published by Fukuda Hatsujiro and is dated in the cartouche at the lower left 2/1904. Signed at the lower right "Ryua" and with the artist's red "Edokko" seal below. Each of the three panels measures 14 1/2" - 14 5/8" x 9 3/4" (paper size). Go...

Japanese Meiji period woodblock print by Ogata Gekko titled “The Soul of Japan: A Chivalrous Man” from the series Gekko’s Essays published by Takegawa Risaburo and dated in the lower left margin 1892. Signed and with the artist’s red seal at the lower right. Paper: 14 3/8” x 9 3/4" (image: 12 3/4" x 8 1/2"). Very good color and overall condition with gauffrage in the title cartouche and full margins. As is typical of earlier issued prints from this series, the red series cartouche ...

Rare Japanese Edo period woodblock print pentaptych depicting five 16th century Takeda warriors involved in the Kawanakajima campaigns against the forces of Uesugi Kenshin by Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) published by Ebisuya Shoshichi (Kinshodo) circa 1845. Each warrior is surrounded by biographical text written by Shotei Kinsui. From left to right, the seated warriors are Takeda Shingen wearing his horned helmet and holding his war fan, Yamamoto Kansuke Haruyuki in monk’s robes holding a closed fa...