A rarely encountered large format limited edition Japanese woodblock print titled Constellation No. 38" by Joichi Hoshi (1913-1979). Pencil-signed "Joichi Hoshi" and dated '67 in the lower margin. The artist’s square seal is visible in the image above the signature. Pencil-titled in kanji at the left side of the bottom margin and numbered 2/50. Marked with the edition number 2/80. Paper: 30" x 24 1/4" (image: 28 5/8" x 22 5/8")...

Oversized limited edition Japanese sosaku hanga woodblock print by Jun'ichiro Sekino (1914-1988) depicting a solitary cat on a large tiled roof titled "Lovesick Cat." Pencil-signed and dated 1957 at the lower right margin with the artist's red seal above. Numbered 75/100 at the lower left side of the bottom margin. Paper: 20 1/4" x 12 3/4" (image: 17" x 9 7/8." Printed on fine paper. Very good overall condition with full margins...

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Cherry Blossoms by the Gate
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1951. Pencil-signed first edition.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Excellent. Upper left margin corner bend.
Notes: I've included photos of Toshi Yoshida's vintage envelope and the collector's notes of the previous owner, both of which accompanied this group of Yoshida prints. The collector's notes will be included.

Japanese limited edition woodblock print by French artist Paul Jacoulet (1902-1960) titled "After the Dance" (Apres La Danse. "Celebes") published June 29, 1940. This image is illustrated on page 59 (plate 67) of “The Prints of Paul Jacoulet” by Richard Miles, 1982. It is described on pages 104-105. The print is pencil-signed and bears the red butterfly seal at the lower left corner of the image. The seal of the carver and printer (Maeda/Fujii) is at the lower right margin corner...

Title: Rainbow hair. Silkscreen print. Year: 1973 Edition no 49 / 200 Picture size: L 56 x 38 cm; Frame size: 65 x 50 cm. Very good condition, fresh and vibrant colours! ***** Ay-O (b. 1931) is the artist name of Takao Iijima, born 1931 in in Ibaraki prefecture Ay-O has become famous in and outside of Japan as "Rainbow Man" for his serigraphs and etchings in strong rainbow colors, used in all kinds of shapes and with an abundance of creative imagery - sometimes with a subtle humour...

Ito Shinsui (aka. Shikuntei)(1898-1972)
Preparing Tea
Date: 1950s.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.75 x 7.375 inches (25 x 19 cm).
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Publisher's seal on verso
Signed Shikuntei Shinsuiga. Sealed Shinsui.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent color. Slight creasing and toning.

Takahashi Shotei
Morning Fog
Date: Early. Not known.
Size: Approximately 7.25 x 4.825 inches.
Shotei seal lower right.
Reference: S-126 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight crease lower left corner. Pencil note on back.
Note: Shotei.com notes that this print is probably pre-earthquake due to its rarity.

Japanese Edo period woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) by Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting a full figure Heian beauty, Lady Shizuka-gozen, dressed in shirabyoshi (court dancer) costume appearing under a rolled screen, preparing to dance before Yoritomo. Published by Izumiya Ichibei circa 1840. Signed Kochoro Kuniyoshi ga. The publisher's seal is at the bottom of the image...

Kiyoshi Saito
Siamese Cat (2) (Early Cat)
Date: ca. 1940s-50s.
Paper size: Approximately 23.675 x 18 inches.
Image size: Approximately 19 x 14 inches.
Sealed but not signed.
Self-published by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Laid down to board. Wrinkling. Stain at lower margin.
Note: In the last image, I show this print paired with another cat (our Saito 026)...

Ohara Koson
Two Japanese Waxwings on Twig with Red Berries
Date: 1910s-23.
Size: 14.75 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Daikokuya.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Koson signature and seal.
Reference: K32.3. in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toning at top margin and back.
Note: This example retains its lovely yellows.

Large format (dai-oban) Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled “Blue Parrot” by Ishikawa Toraji (1875-1964) from the series “Ten Types of Female Nudes” carved by Yamagishi Kazue and self-published by the artist in 1935. The black ink Ishikawa signature and red seal are at the lower right section of the print. Paper: 14 1/2 x 19 1/8" (plate: 11 3/4" x 14 7/8"). Very good overall condition with full margins and silver mica highlights evident...

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Zentsuji Temple, Sanshu
Series: Collection of Scenic Views of Japan, Kansai edition.
Date: 1937
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6 mm seal at lower right, indicating a lifetime edition produced between 1946 and 1957.
Reference: Hotei #334.
Condition: Tape at top margin. Upper left image edge has slight tonal difference.

Arai Yoshimune
Fishing Boat
Date: 1910s.
An early edition on original card-like paper.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.75 x 7 inches.
Publisher: Hasegawa. From the famous "Night Scenes" series. Hasegawa catalog No. 1245.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Hishikawa Moronobu
Thunderstorm
Date: 1680
Size: 13 x 9.75 inches.
A book page depicting a thunderstorm from "A Collection of Japanese Paintings" (Yamato-e Zukushi - 大和絵つくし), which includes scenes from the Tale of Genji and Ise Monogatari as well as Noh chants.
Publisher: Urokogataya Sanzaemon.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toned with marks and some creasing.
Note: The Library of Congress online collection has an example of this ...

Shoda Koho
Ueno Park
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.25 x 7.75 inches.
Date: 1910-38. A rare, early edition on card-like paper.
Publisher: Hasegawa. #1248 in Hasegawa catalog.
"Made in Japan" stamp and #427 tag on verso.
Not sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Ohara Koson
Two barn swallows diving towards a small insect in flight
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-23.
Bears Koson signature and seal.
Publisher: Daikokuya (43)
Reference: K28.2 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent with a few faint marks in the lower sky. Pencil number on back.
Provenance: The Bedford, NY estate of Eleanor Jay and Arthur Iselin...

Lilian Miller
Father Kim of Korea
Date: 1920.
Numbered: 257
Size: Approximately 8 x 6.25 inches.
Self-published.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Condition: Excellent. Left margin has small nick.

Ohara Koson
Two carp
Size: O-tanzaku. Approximately 14.5 x 7.5 inches.
Date: ca. 1900s-23.
Koson seal lower left.
Publisher: Daikokuya (41).
Reference: K39.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Tape has been removed from the back. Those areas as well as a crease at the right edge have been reinforced by a conservator. Slight fading.