The print was created in the pure tradition of Ukiyo-e. We do not know the whereabouts of the original painting, nor who the painter was. Likewise, we know nothing of the printer. However, the quality is remarkable; details in white, in strong relief, were added with a brush, as well as a very discreet gold and silver dusting. The subject is highly symbolic: three elegant young women stroll along the seashore...

A collotype print depicting a beautiful woman (bijin) holding a cat on a leash, accompanied by a young woman, likely her servant or daughter. A fine impression, enhanced with white, gold, and silver pigments. Japan, Meiji or Taisho period. 192 x 391 mm. Mounted on cardboard. Good condition.

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) titled at the upper right “The First Month” from the series “Fashionable Twelve Months” published by Moriya Jihei in 1830-1832. Signed “Kochoro Kunisada ga” at the lower left with the publisher's seal and kiwame censor seal beside it. Very good overall condition with minor soiling and creasing of the paper. The print is not backed and there are no tape stains or remnants...

Hasui Kawase
Moonlit Night at Miyajima (Evening State)
Date: 1947
Size: Oban. 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
First edition with round, black 6mm seal (1946-57).
Reference: Hotei 497, Narazaki 479.
Oban. 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil notation at back bottom margin.
Provenance: From a California collector.

Toshi Yoshida (1911-1995)
Oshiro, the Castle at Himeji
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1951. Appears to be pencil signed. Signature feels textured so may be impressed block signature.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition.Toning primarily on back. A few faint marks.

Aoki Seiko (b. 1880) after Uehara Konen (b. 1878)
Ryogoku Bridge
Size: 8.125 x 4.875 inches (20.6 x 12.6 cm).
Date: ca. 1910.
Seiko seal at lower right. Uehara Konen did a larger version of the same scene.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 430).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A few marks on the back - one faintly showing through

Japanese Edo period woodblock by Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting the poetess Gonchunagon Atsutada (906-943) from the series "Thirty-six Poets, An Instructive Mirror for Women and Children" published by Wakasaya Yoichi in 1842-1843. Paper: 14" x 9 3/4". Very good overall condition. The paper is very lightly toned and is slightly thinned in a few areas. There is a tiny worm hole at the upper left edge and a barely visible paper repair to a tiny tear at the left edge...

Japanese woodblock print of a beauty and child by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) depicting the actor Bandô Shûka I as Shinzaemon's wife Otoki, with a child actor as his son Shinkichi published by Hayashiya Shogoro in the 7th month of 1852. The image is signed at the right side "Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi ga" (used circa 1850) within a gourd shaped cartouche. The red Yoshi Kiri seal is beneath the signature...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) depicting an actor from the series “Seven Poems for Good Fortune at Sunrise on New Year’s Day in the Modern World” published by Iseya Rihei (Kinjudo) in 1865. Each print in this series features a kabuki actor set against blossoming snow-covered plum trees at New Year. On each image, a slip of paper holding a signed poem by each actor hangs from a tree or is being placed in the tree by the actor...

Joichi Hoshi (1911-1979)
Winter Tree
Date: 1976.
Sheet size: 11.625 x 9 inches
Signed, titled, and dated in pencil.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Light toning in formerly unmatted area.
Notes: Features a beautiful silver background.

Fukutaro Terauchi (Tanouchi)
Nara Sarusawa Pond
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Date: 1930-40s.
Signed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

(After) Hanabusa Iccho (1652-1724)
Bon Odori (Obon Dance)
Dated Monday, 21st March, 1938.
Size: 7.875 x 5.25 inches (20 x 13.4 cm).
A cover of a menu of the N.Y.K. Line passenger ship, Katori Maru.
Publisher: Likely Nippon Mokuhan Co. Tokio (Japan Woodblock Co. Tokyo), who produced another of our ship menu woodblock prints.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print...

Yamamoto Tomokatsu
Goose Under the Moon
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Titled and sealed Yamamoto in the image.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo (seal at lower left).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Red blush in places due to red ink on back of print. Bump at middle left margin.
Note: This is the only example of this rare print that we could find. A similar Ohara Koson design exists.

Kasamatsu Shiro (1898 - 1991)
Yushima Tenjin
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Titled and sealed in the image.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Red blush in places due to red ink on back of print.
Note: This is the only example of this rare print that we could find. A similar Kasamatsu design exists in landscape format.

Kawase Hasui (1883-1957)
Meguro Fudo (Fudo Hall in Meguro)
Date: 1931
Size: Oban. 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. A first edition with the B-seal (in use 1927-1932) in the right margin, making this example the earliest state.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #263.
Condition: Toning and fading. Original drying pinhole in margin...

A NEWLY-DISCOVERED NUMBERED PRE-EARTHQUAKE EXAMPLE
Takahashi Shotei
Two Ladies Catching Fireflies
Date: 1900s-10s
Size: 7 x 4.75 inches.
Sealed "Shotei" and numbered "28" in Japanese inside a white fan cartouche in the lower right corner.
Woodblock print is floated inside an unopened 11 x 9 inch frame.
Reference: Shotei S-25...

Ishiwata Koitsu (Toko) 1897-1987
Moon Over Enoshima Beach
Date: 1933
Signed Toko.
Size: Oban. 15.375 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi. (These seals indicate an early postwar edition)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. A few transparent surface marks at upper right.
- A rare shin hanga design with gofun-embossed waves.

Kawase Hasui
Spring Evening, Ueno Toshogu Shrine (aka. Spring Dusk at the Tosho Shrine, Ueno)
Date 1948.
Size: Oban 15.5 x 10.375 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe (no pub. seal). This edition likely 1960s-70s.
Reference: Hotei No. 509.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very slight fading as seen at bottom outer image edges.