Catalog (137)

Hans Frank, Austrian (1884-1948)
Venice II, 1925 (Venedig II, 1925)
Date: 1925.
Paper size: 17.5 X 13.25 inches (44.5 x 33.9 cm).
Window size: 16 x 12 inches (40.5 x 30.5 cm).
Signed and dated at lower right.
Medium: Color woodcut on laid Japanese paper.
Condition: Small crease at upper right corner. The odd small mark in image.
Attached with archival tape to top of a 24 x 20-inch matte).

Aoki Seiko (b. 1880)
Red Berries and Birds (aka. Waxwings)
Size: Approximately 9.75 x 4.75 inches (24.9 x 12 cm).
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto Print Works. Cat. #368 tags on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Upper left corner margin chip. Pinhole near signature.
- Rarely seen.
The Matsumoto catalog identifies the birds as kashidori, "a noisy, quarrelsome species of jay."

Josetsu (Jousetsu) 城雪
Cock and Hen with Chickens under a Plum-tree
Size: 7 x 4.75 inches.
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto Print Works. Cat. #164 tag on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print from a painting by Tokyo artist Josetsu.
Condition: A few marks. Slight waviness corresponding to location of tag on back.

Artist: Unsigned
Ueno Lotus Pond in Tokyo
Date: ca. 1920s-30s.
Size: Approximately 5.25 x 3.25 inches)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along its top edge only to an used holiday card with correspondence.
Condition: Print is excellent. Tiny dot in sky. Card correspondence has marks.

Aoki Seiko (b. 1880)
Quails Under the Moonlight
Size: 9.75 x 4.75 inches. 24.6 x 12 cm.
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto Print Works. Cat. #366 tag on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight bend at lower left corner.

Uehara Konen (1878-1940)
Pagoda and Moon
Size: 5.0 x 3.25 inches. 12.8 x 8.4 cm.
ca. 1910.
Published by Kobayashi Bunshichi. The publisher's shop and many works did not survive the 1923 earthquake.
Artist's seal lower right.
Publisher's seal right.
Cartouche with number 262 in Japanese at right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Ink dot in tree.

Koga Iijima (1829-1900)
Leaping Trout
Date: Late nineteenth century.
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi / Daikokuya.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.25 x 9 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back toned. Front very good with a few faint marks in sky an left edge toning.
Note: The fish in this wonderful design is highlighted with mica.

Watanabe Seitei (1851-1918)
Winter Landscape
Date: Early twentieth century.
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi / Daikokuya.
Sealed by the artist.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.25 x 9 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
The print has backing paper attached at the left and right edges only.
Condition: Very good with left edge vertical crease corresponding to the location where backing paper is attached.

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Iris
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal lower left.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Wisteria
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 15.5 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal lower right.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Fukayama Tsuji
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 16 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal upper left.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Bamboo
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Artist's seal lower left.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher, carver, and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

After Maruyama Okyo (1733-1795)
Carp and Pine
Date: ca 1910s-30s.
Size: 5.375 x 3.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Top margin thinning.

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 ...

Ito Nisaburo
The Inns at Arima Hot Spring
Date: 1950s
Size: 18 x 11.5 inches. Full margins (shown in additional photos).
Publisher: Uchida Woodblock Printing Co., Ltd.
Artist's seal and publisher's seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Removed from original folder.

Koichi Okumura (1904 ~ 1974)
Red Mt. Fuji from Shojin Lake
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10 inches.
Date: 1948. First edition.
Publisher: Unsodo.
Carver: Nagashima. Printer: Shinmi.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Ishiwata Koitsu (aka. Yoshimi) (1897-1987)
Water Wheel in Snow
Date: 1930s. Early postwar edition.
Print size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher:Watanabe Shozaburo.
Koitsu's "Yoshimi" signature at lower right.
Medium: Woodblock print attached top edge only to a holiday card from Japanese and US representatives.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Tokuriki Tomikichiro
Sanjo Bridge
Date: Likely 1940s-50s.
Size: Tanzaku (pillar) 14.25 x 3 inches.
Signed "Tomi" at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print on decorative board as originally issued.
Condition: Slight toning near bottom.
Note: This is the only example of this wonderful design that we could locate.

Ota Shumin (1884-1950, Japanese)
Boats on River (given title).
Date: 1930s.
Size: Oban. 17.25 x 12.625 inches.
Signed "Shumin" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Tonal difference at edges where formerly matted. Light creasing visible in side light.
Note: Shumin participated in a painting event at the 1936 Olympics.

Shien
Temple in Snow
Date: 1930s-1950s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Size: Approximately 6 x 4 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Near bottom small indentation in snow and lower margin bump.

Masaharu Aoyama (1893-1969)
Nikolai-do (Nikorai-do) in Snow (An Orthodox cathedral in Tokyo)
Date: ca. 1940s.
Print size: 3.75 x 2.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. From a group included in an Unsodo client sample book.
Aoyama's "Ao" seal at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along top edge only to original holiday card.
Condition: Excellent.

Seiji Fujishiro 藤城清治 (born 1924)
Fairies in a Tree (Playing Instruments) 木の上の妖精たち
Size: 9.5 x 6.25 inches (24 x 16 cm)
Frame size: 17.5 x 15.75 inches (44.5 x 39.5 cm)
Not dated.
Signed and numbered in pencil by the artist.
Edition 119/500. With certificate of guarantee on back.

Hiroshige Ando
Suidobashi, Surugadai (Suido Bridge and Surugadai)
Series: No. 48 from Meisho Edo Hyakkei (One Hundred Famous Views of Edo)
Date: Intercalary 5th month, 1857.
Size: Oban 14 x 9.75 inches.
Publisher: Uoya Eikichi.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin blanks and tears repaired by conservator. Soiling.

Eisho Narazaki (1862-1936)
Interior of Asakusa Kannon Temple
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1932
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Watanabe C seal at left margin, indicating a first edition printed 1929-42.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toned paper.
There is so much to look at in this lively, superbly printed image.

Andrew Kay Womrath (1869-1939)
In collaboration with Yoshijiro Urushibara (1888-1953)
Venice at Night
Size: Chuban. Approximately 11.625 x 8 inches.
Edition: 3/50 OR 33/50. Numbered in pencil at lower left.
Date: ca 1920s.
Signed "A Kay Womrath" in pencil.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Foxing nearly entirely in margin. Margin blank at lower left.
Note: An example of this night scene is paired with its daytime version in the Smithsonian ...

Katsuyuki Nishijima
Title: Tsubakizaka Pass in Snow
Size: 17.25 x 12.5 inches.
Edition: 12/500.
Date: post-1980.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top back margin has former tape marks.

Katsuyuki Nishijima
Title: Kudaya (The Kudaya Travellers Inn in Kyoto)
Size: 17.125 x 12.5 inches.
Edition: 405/500.
Date: post-1980.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top back margin has former tape marks.

Gyosui Suzuki
Two Egrets (Herons) Among Flowers with Moon
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 9.5 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso).
Artist's seal lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue. Very light crease upper left (photo).
Note: Very rare. We could find no other example of this design.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Blue Bird on Plum Branch
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 9.625 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso).
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue. Point-sized dot in sky.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Sparrows and Red Flower
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 9.75 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso).
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Cherry Blossoms
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Approximately 10 x 5 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso)
Artist's signature lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back top edge has paper residue.

Kaoru Kawano (1916-1965)
Two Kittens
Date: 1950s-60s.
Size: Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower right and on verso.
Self-published by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Tape residue at back margins and top front margin.

Leonard Tsuguharu Foujita (1886-1968)
White Cat
Date: 1929
Signed by the artist in the image in English and Japanese.
Matte size: 23.25 x 19.375 inches. Matte window: 17.5 x 12.75 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print with gauffrage embossing on the cat (seen in indirect light).
Condition: Woodblock print is sealed inside matte and is possibly adhered to board. Some creasing visible in side lighting.

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Street in Front of Restaurant
Date: 1920s-30s.
Size: Oban. 19.75 x 13 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar style and at times depict...

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
A balcony scene with falling cherry blossoms
Date: 1920s.
Size: Oban. 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Signed "H. Saito" by the artist.
Medium: Japanese watercolor.
Condition: Faint matte line.
Note: Paintings and woodblock prints variously signed as "H. Saito" (Saito Hodo) and "Nishimura Hodo" were published by Takemura Hideo. They are very likely by the same artist. Works with these signatures had similar s...

Mitsuhiro Unno (1939-1979)
Valley of Utsu - A set of five miniature Japanese woodblock prints.
Date: 1966.
Each woodblock print is 2.25 x 2 inches.
Condition: Excellent.
Note: Set includes woodblock-printed title sheet, colophon, and list of subjects.

Keisai Eisen (1790-1848)
Carp Ascending a Waterfall
Date: 1830-1844.
Size: Vertical oban diptych. 28.5 x 9.75 inches.
Signed Keisai hitsu with red Eisen seal (upper right).
Publisher: Izumiya Ichibei (Kansendo). Kansendo seal (lower left).
Unread notation back (last photo)
Condition: Top left margin uneven. Paper residue at back top corners. Light creasing near top. Faint foxing. Two point-sized invisible wear holes.
- The large size of this famous Eise...

Title: Tokumochi
Artist's signature not read. The second kanji in the signature is read "haru" or "shun."
Print size: Approximately 5.125 x 3.375 inches.
Date: ca. 1930s.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print tipped along its top edge onto a 6.625 x 4.75-inch greeting card containing a signed message.
Condition: Print excellent. Card is discolored.

Shien
Pagoda in Snow
Date: 1930s-1950s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Size: Approximately 6 x 4 inches.
Sealed by the artist.
Print is tipped along its top edge to original holiday card with message inside.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Tsukioka Kogyo (1869-1927)
Ships in Harbor
Date: 1900 or earlier.
Size: Shikishiban. 9.75 x 9.25 inches.
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi (Daikokuya).
Signed.
Edition: First/early.
Provenance: Purchased from family who acquired in Japan on a 1900 world tour.
Woodblock print is adhered to board.
Condition: Edge toning. Minor marks.

Okuhara Seiko (1837–1913)
Sandpipers on a Beach
Date: 1900 or earlier.
Size: Shikishiban. 9.75 x 9.25 inches.
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi (Daikokuya).
Signed and sealed.
Edition: First/early.
Provenance: Purchased from family who acquired in Japan on a 1900 world tour.
Woodblock print is adhered to board.
Condition: Edge toning.

Ogata Gekko (1859-1920)
Cuckoo with Full Moon
Date: 1900 or earlier.
Size: Shikishiban. 9.75 x 9.25 inches.
Publisher: Matsuki Heikichi (Daikokuya).
Signed and sealed.
Edition: First/early.
Provenance: Purchased from family who acquired in Japan on a 1900 world tour.
Woodblock print is adhered to board.
Condition: Edge toning. Minor marks.

Kitagawa Utamaro (1750s-1806)
The right panel of the triptych, Twelve Courtesans of the Ogiya (Brothel) on Display
Date: 1806, 6th month.
Size: Visible image: 15 x 10 inches. Board size: 16 x 11.75 inches.
Publisher: Omiya Gonkuro
Signed: Utamaro hitsu.
Censor's seal: Kiwame
Catalog references: Ukiyo-e shûka 3 (1978), list #316.1-3; Ukiyo-e shûka 12 (1980), pls. 192-4; Shibui, Ukiyo-e zuten Utamaro (1964), 20.3.1-3.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
...

Utagawa Kuniyasu
The actor Bando Mitsugoro
Date: ca 1820
Size: Oban: 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Wakasaya Yoichi (1813-1832)
Censor: Kiwame (seal 1790-1832)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin edge notch. Tape at top back edge. Two wormholes (see photo #4).
Note: This is the only example of this design that we could locate.

Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III)
Title: Tokaido Numazu (Numazu, from the Processional Tokaido, a series on the arrival of the 14th shogun)
Date: 1863. First edition.
Size: 14.75 x 10 inches.
Publisher: Iseya Kanekichi (Isekane)
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Right margin has holes and pen mark. Light soling.

Shodo Kawarazaki (1889-1973)
Water Hyacinth (Mizuaoi)
Date: 1950s. Later edition.
Size: Oban. 16.0 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher's "Gei" watermark at lower left. Carver and printer seals at left margin.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Osuga Yuichi (b. 1939)
Japanese Bellflower (Kikyo)
Date: ca. 1970s or later.
Size: Oban. 15.875 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Unsodo. Publisher's "Gei" watermark at lower left.
Carver: Monju. Printer: Sugimoto
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Upper left margin edge has vertical crease.

"Mandarin Ducks" and "Sparrows on Hedge"
Artist: Seals unread.
Size: Each approximately 5.625 x 3.625 inches 14.2 x 9.2 cm
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto (Nos. 427 and 424).
Medium: Japanese woodblock prints.
Condition: Ink marks as shown. Original fibers within handmade paper.
Early and rarely seen designs.

Ryohei Tanaka
Soaring Birds (Titled in Japanese at lower left)
Medium: Japanese Etching
Date: 1982.
Edition: 78/100.
Signed "T. Ryohei" and dated in pencil.
Paper size: 23.75 x 14.375 inches.
Condition: Outer margin has slight toning.

Naoko Matsubara (Japanese-Canadian, born 1937 Tokushima, Japan)
Shrine Market (Tenjin-ichi)
Edition: 47/50
Date: ca 1960s-70s.
Print size: 38.75 x 27.0 inches.
Framed size: 44.5 x 32.75 inches.
Signed, titled, numbered, and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Upper right corner margin has light crease.
Notes: This very large framed print is not available for commercial shipment. Free pickup or delivery in Grea...

Koei Hashimoto
Dove on Plum Tree Branch
Date: ca. 1930
Size: Oban. 17 x 11 inches.
Publisher: Likely Sato Shotaro.
Signed and sealed by the artist at lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: The back has pen ink scribbles. Light creasing primarily in margin. Light foxing on back.

William Seltzer Rice (1873-1963) Italian Boat
Date: Likely 1913-1915.
Paper size 7.75 x 5.5 inches.
Print size: 4.75 x 3.875 inches.
Signed and titled in pencil.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: Lightly foxed, primarily outside the image area. Margin blanks (see additional photos for full margins). Tape on verso.
Note: We could find no other reference to this title by the California artist and believe that this could be the only known color example. Howeve...

Ted Colyer (b. 1947)
Winter '84
Size: 16.5 x 16.5 inches. Sheet size: 18.5 x 18.5 inches. Matte size: 21.75 x 21.75 inches.
Date: 1984.
Signed, dated, and numbered by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Hinged at top back with tape to circular matte.
Canadian native Colyer studied Japanese printmaking under Toshi Yoshida.

Shin-Bijutsukai Japanese Design Magazine, vol. 28
Compiled by artist Furuya Korin (1875–1910).
A monthly magazine (1902-06) featuring the work of talented design artists.
First published 1905. This Yamada Unsodo-published edition dates to 1906 or later.
Contains 20 full-page, original woodblock-printed designs.
Publisher: Kyoto Unsodo.
Size: 9.5 x 6.5 inches.
Medium: Woodblock-printed book bound with silk ties.
Condition: Some wear at front and back cov...

Biho Takahashi (Yoshikuni) (1873-)
Bee and Pink Hollyhock
Date: 1900-1910.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Signed and sealed by the artist.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Chipped corner and light creasing.

Okuhara Seiko (1837-1918; female)
Cherry Blossoms Under the Full Moon
Date: 1900s-1910s
Publisher: Daikokuya.
Unsigned. Signed examples exist.
Size: Shikishiban. Approximately 9.75 x 9.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight toning. Left and right edges bumped.

Puppies and Banana
Artist: Unidentified. This print is also known to have the unread artist's seal in our enlargement #3.
Size: Approximately 14.4 x 9.0 cm. 5.675 x 3.5 inches
Date: ca. 1910.
Publisher: Matsumoto (No. 416).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
An early and rarely seen design.

Yoshimoto Gesso
Figure at Temple
Date: 1930s.
Print size: Tanzaku. Approximately 13.25 x 3.125 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku (Stamp on verso)
Artist's seal at lower right.
Reference: No. 1591.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Woodblock print is attached along its top edge to original card.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Weissaster (White Aster) Translated by Karl Florenz (German language).
Date: 1897. This edition 1904 with wrap around case.
Published by T Hasegawa, Tokyo (17 Shitaya, Kaminegishi).
96 pages including covers.
Size: 7.75 x 6.0 inches.
Artist: Arai Yoshimune and Mishima Shoso
These charming, profusely illustrated books consist entirely of woodblock prints on creped paper bound with ties and glue. Hasegawa employed some of the best woodblock print artists of the era - ...

Koizumi Kishio
Lingering Snow at Five-storied Pagoda
No. 7 from the series, Views of Nikko National Park
Date: 1936.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7.75 inches (25.6 x 19.6 cm).
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Possibly faintly signed at lower right.
Condition: Excellent.