Japanese Edo period woodblock print from a small series featuring bust portraits of actors portraying two opposite charactors in old and current plays set against calligraphy by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) collaborating with Torii Kiyomitsu II (1788-1868) dated 1852. The lower right corner bears the signature cartouches of both artists, censor and date seals, and the seal of the publisher Joshuya Juzo. The paper measures 14 3/4"V x 9 7/8"H...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting a half-length portrait of an actor portraying a samurai. This is one of a number of half-length portraits of actors designed by Kunisada in 1852. Signed at the right "Toyokuni ga" (in a red cartouche with yellow snow) with the seal of the publisher Yamazakiya Seishichi below. Fresh color and nice impression quality with fine delineation of the hair and lacquer highlights...

Japanese scroll mounting of a Hokusai Woodblock with a peasant wood gatherer on bridge over stream, in the back ground are ducks on a pond. Censor seals 1790-1842. Size of Scroll: 51 1/2" high x 10" wide Size of Art: 19 3/4" high x 9" wide

Japanese Edo period woodblock depicting the poetess Gon Chunagon Atsutada (906-943) gathering sea shells from the series "Lessons for the Young from Thirty-six Poetic Immortals" by Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) dated circa 1842. Vertical oban size (14"V x 9 3/4"H). Very good overall condition. A few tiny wormholes and a few slightly thinned areas in the paper. This series is illustrated in plate 106 of "Utagawa Kuniyoshi," an exhibition catalogue based upon the Raymond A...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print depicting a beauty taking a boat ride on the Sumida River from a series titled "The Seven Variations of the Iroha" by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) dated 1856. "Iroha" refers to a distinct form of Japanese poetry. The signature of the artist (signed "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche with yellow snow) is located at the lower right. Standard vertical oban print measuring 14 1/8"V x 9 1/2"H. Good color and overall condition...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print titled "Four" (yon/shi) depicting the actors Onoe Kikugoro IV and Ichikawa Kodanji IV in the roles of Oiwa and Izaemon from a series titled "After The Seven Iroha" by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) dated 8/1856. This series was published the same year as "Seven Variations of the Iroha." The title cartouches of the prints in this series feature ciphers written seven different ways. "Iroha" refers to a distinct form of Japanese poetry...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting a lively scene from Act 11 of "Chushingura e-kyodai" (Matching Pictures of Chushingura) dated 1859. "Chushingura" is also known as the "Tale of the Forty-seven Ronin." The seal of the publisher, Moriya Jihei, the censor seal, and the signature of the artist (signed "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche with yellow snow) are all located at the lower right. Standard vertical oban print measuring 14"V x 9 3/4"H...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) featuring two beauties from Act 5 of "Chushingura e-kyodai" (Matching Pictures of Chushingura) dated 1859. "Chushingura" is also known as the "Tale of the Forty-seven Ronin." The censor's seal and the seal of the publisher, Moriya Jihei, are at the bottom of the print. The signature of the artist (signed "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche with yellow snow) is located at the bottom left corner...

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...

Edo Period Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) dated 1854 depicting a beauty of the nobility practicing the art of painting. Signed at the left "Toyokuni ga" in a red cartouche surrounded with yellow snow." 14 3/8"V x 10"H. Very good color and in clean overall condition with lacquer and embossed highlights. The print is not backed and the baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back. No tape or tape stains...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) featuring a beauty serving tea to another beauty who is resting in a palanquin smoking a pipe from Act 6 of "Chushingura e-kyodai" (Matching Pictures of Chushingura) dated 1859. "Chushingura" is also known as the "Tale of the Forty-seven Ronin." The censor's seal and the seal of the publisher, Moriya Jihei, are at the lower left portion of the print...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada) depicting a kabuki actor portraying a samurai. His sword rests on the ground and his matchlock musket leans against the wall. Firearms were introduced to Japan by foreign traders in the 16th century. The maru-ni-chigai-Takanoha family mon is on his kimono. This crest, which consisted of two crossed hawk feathers, was used by two Edo period samurai families. This image was published by Maruya Seijiro in 1854. The ce...

Japanese woodblock print by Yoshitoshi, Tsukioka (1839-1892) entitled "The Fever of Taira no Kiymori". A triptych print, the scene is of the tyrant Taira no Kiyomori as he writhes in fever just before death. According to legend, the evil Kiyomori burned down a temple and is fetched for retribution by Emma-o the King of Hell, Kiyomori's wife and son kneel and pray for his salvation while demons and the souls of Kiyomori's victims surround him. Print date: 1883. This print is in good conditi...

The actor Ichikawa Danjuro IX in a scene from kabuki theater from the series "100 Roles of Ichikawa Danjuro IX" by Toyohara Kunichika 1835-1900) dated in the left margin "5th month of Meiji 31" (1898). Deluxe edition with extensive gauffrage accents to the yellow background, cartouches, margin and hair. There are mica highlights in the background. The blue robe is decorated with a keyfret motif pattern produced through the use of pale silver pigment. Paper: 14 1/8" x 9 1/4" (image: 13" x 8 1/4)....

Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print from the series "The Calendar of Events in Edo Theater" by Adachi Ginko (1874-1897) dated in the left margin Meiji 30 (1897) 1st month 11th day. The series depicts various scenes and events surrounding kabuki theater. This image depicts several actors and musicians on stage. One actor, holding a fan above his head, dances in bare feet. The red fish peering from behind his back suggests he might be a fisherman. Four actors sitting in a row behind him are al...

Illustration of a scene from the Noh theater titled “Ohara Goko” (The Royal Visit to Ohara) by Kogyo Tsukioka (1869-1927) from the series "Nogaku Zue" (Noh Plays) published by Matsuki Heikichi January 10th of 1898. Very good impression quality with silver highlights on the central robe. The background is finely embossed throughout. Standard horizontal oban print measuring 10"V x 14 3/4"H. This image has never been framed and is in very good overall condition. There is a faint area of discol...

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 ...

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 ...