Deluxe edition Japanese Meiji period woodblock print by Torii Kiyotada VII, also known as Tadakiyo, (1875-1941) depicting the kabuki actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX portraying Fudo Myoo from the series "The Eighteen Great Kabuki Plays" published by Hasegawa in 1896. The series title extends across the top of the image. The artist's Tadakiyo signature and red jar seal are at the lower left...

Bust portrait of an unidentified actor in the role of a half-naked samurai from a series titled "Mirror of Good and Evil Spirits" by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900), published by Tsunoi in 4/1868. Paper size: 14" x 9 3/8". The print is a fine impression with very fresh color. The wood grain is plainly evident in the background and there are mica highlights. The left margin is trimmed...

This is a strong, first edition, first state woodblock print,1849-1850, with clear lines and strong colors.The visible part of the image itself measures 9-1/2" X 14". Examples can be found in the British Museum as well as the Tokyo Museum. Not examined outside the frame, so I cannot state whether the print has been trimmed, or the extent of any foxing, damage, etc. It does not appear to have been glued down inside the frame, but I can't be sure...

The kabuki actors Otani Tomoemon V (left), Nakamura Shikan IV (center), and Ichikawa Kuzo III (right) in a scene from the play Oshu Adachigahara. This Edo period Japanese woodblock print triptych by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) was published by Izutsuya Shokichi in 1865. Each panel measures about 14 1/8" x 9 5/8." Very good color and impression quality with strong wood grain evident in the background. The print is not backed and the image and baren marks are clearly visible on the back...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Shiro Kasamatsu (1898-1991) titled "Misty Evening at Shinobazu Pond" dated in the left margin "4th month of Showa 7" (1932). First edition impression bearing the C-seal ("sausage seal") of the publisher Watanabe in the lower right margin. This seal was used between 1929-1942. The artist's red signature seal is located at the lower left corner of the image. Paper size: 15 1/4" x 10 1/4" (image: 14 1/8" x 9 1/4")...

Katsuhara Shinya (Tatsuhara Inuki) (1951-2015)
A woman with mirror in art deco style
Size: 16.25 x 7.25 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Date ca.: Late 20th century, pre-1995.
Edition: 72/200 numbered in pencil on back.
Signed "Shinya" in the image and sealed.
Enlargement 2 shows the upper part of the print in which the black background features a checkerboard pattern that only becomes visible in side light.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Hwasa Gate, Suwon (Mizuhra Kakomon). From the series Eight Views of Korea (Chosen Hakkei).
Date: August 1939.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.5 x 11.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe C seal (sausage seal 1929-42)...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print titled "Lake Yamanaka in Winter" by Tsuchiya Koitsu (1870-1949) dated in the right margin "2nd month of Showa 14" (1939). The black ink signature and red seal of the artist are at the lower right. The seals of the publisher Doi Hangaten, printer Itoh, and carver Ikeda are in the left margin. This seal combination was used between 1948-1950. Paper measures 10 1/4" x 15 5/8" (image: 9 7/16" x 14 1/4"). Very good overall condition...

Jun (Jun'ichiro) Sekino
Postscript Thoughts on "The Book of the Ghost". This very rare booklet with woodblock-printed covers is Sekino's reflections on having produced and self-published the 1950 woodblock-printed work, "The Book of the Ghost". The cover page reads, "Please Read this Little Booklet as a Personal Letter from Me."
Publisher: The artist's Sosaku Shuppan company.
The book is a single sheet folded into eight pages and has a wonderful T...

Nishimura Hodo
Bridge in Rain at Night
Date: 1930s.
Size: Mitsugiriban. Approximately 15.5 x 7.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Shokai (stamp in left margin). Takemura Hideo label on back.
Signed by the artist. Takemura seal below signature.
Edition: First and only.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Light, horizontal crease in sky. Toning in margin

Pulguk Temple, Kyongju
Series: Eight Views of Korea
Date: 1939.
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 16.75 x 11.75 inches.
Hasui signature and seal lower left.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. E-seal at right margin - used 1932-42.
Reference: Hotei No. 432.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight creasing at top margin and top right. One foxing spot on back in sky.

Ohara Hoson (Koson)
Flowering Lotus
Size: Oban. Approximately 14.25 x 9.5 inches.
Date: 1920s. First edition.
Publisher: Kawaguchi and Sakai. Publisher's seal in right margin. Carver (Maeda) and printer (Komatsu) seals in left margin.
Koson's "Hoson" signature and seal at lower right.
Made in Japan stamped on verso.
Reference: H43.4 and cat...

Japanese shin hanga woodblock print by Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995) titled "White Plum in the Farmyard" dated in the left margin 1951. The artists's red seal is at the lower left and the print is pencil-signed in the lower right margin. Early edition likely dating from the 1950s/60s. Paper size: 15 1/2" x 10 7/8" (image: 14 3/8" x 9 5/8"). Very good overall condition. The back margin edge is very lightly distressed. The original 14,000 yen price is in pencil on the back lower right edge.

Extra large format limited edition Japanese woodblock print depicting a flower lined deserted lane beside traditional buildings under a cloudy blue sky by Katsuyuki Nishijima (b. 1945) dated 1987. This is an original pencil-signed artist's proof (marked A.P. in the lower left margin) for an image that was likely produced in a limited edition of 100. The pencil-title appears to translate "Empty Sky" or "Deserted Day." Paper size 24 1/4" x 18 1/4" (image: 15 3/8" x 21 1/4"). Full margins. Excelle...

Ohara Koson (Shoson)
Cockatoo and Pomegranate
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1927. This edition 1946-1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe 6mm seal at lower left.
Shoson signature and seal lower right. Pencil signature in lower margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Features lovely embossed feathers.
Reference: S36.1 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excelle...

Oversized limited edition Japanese woodblock print by Shimoyama Tsutomu (b. 1945) depicting boats in water viewed from above traditional rooftops. The print is pencil-signed, titled in Japanese kanji, dated '77 and numbered 4/50 in the bottom margin. Paper size: 15 5/8" x 21 3/8" (image: 14 1/4" x 19 5/8"). Very good overall condition. There is some minor paper wrinkling in the margins and the back is faintly browned. A brief biography of Shimoyama can be found on page 136 of Helen Merritt's...

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. The full tri...

Large limited-edition Japanese woodblock print by Joshua Rome (b. 1953) titled “Amawaku no Harusame” dated 4/15/1981. The bottom margin is titled, dated, numbered 70/100 and signed in pencil. The artist's red seal is beside the signature. At the bottom margin edge in pencil is "Spring Rain," the artist's name in English, and the original purchase price of $225. Paper: 18 3/8" x 25" (image: 15 3/4” x 21 5/8"). Very good overall condition. There is some minor soiling and wrinkling in th...