Original Japanese woodblock print by Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) of a Japanese captive insulting the King of Ancient Korea. From the series Kyodo Risshiki (Instructive Biographies) and published by Matsuki Heikichi, it is dated 1885. In excellent condition, it measures 14.75 inches high, 10" across.

TWO JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS COMMEMORATING FREDERICK STARR & NOSATSU.

Frederick Starr was a professor of anthropology at Chicago University who first visited Japan in 1904 and made many subsequent visits. He wrote many papers on Japanese subjects but is probably best known in Japan for his interest in pilgrimage, he dressed in traditional pilgrim’s clothing and performed the Shikoku pilgrimage in 1917 and 1921...

Antique woodblock print triptych by Toyohara Kunichika entitled "Kabuki Drama of Mount Bandai Eruption with Magic Lantern Slides", dated September 1888. In this scene, the Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro V hangs on to the breaking pieces of a house as the ground shifts and lightening cracks. Two months prior to this famous performance, the volcano Mt. Bandai erupted causing massive destruction and loss of life in Fukushima Prefecture. The play was originally set at Mt...

Russo-Japanese War triptych illustrating the surprise attack on Russia’s Far Eastern Fleet at Port Arthur that initiated the war. A large torpedo-boat is at the center. Two Russian ships at the upper left have been hit and are sinking. Three Japanese battleships are at the upper right...

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...

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...

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)...

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...

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...

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...

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)...

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...

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. The print is unsigned and undated. 13 1/2"V x 9 7/8"H. Very good overall condition with margins evident. The print is not backed and has been stored away from sunlight. As the picture of the back shows, this image is ...

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. The print has been stored away from sunlight and...

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. It became a symbol of ...

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. This sam...

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. A series of namazu-e were published anonymously in Japan shortly after the Ansei ea...

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. Not...