Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese (763)

Kawase Hasui
Torii at Miyajima in Snow (Ryobu-torii of Itsukushima Shrine in Inland Sea)
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.5 x 5.125 inches.
Date: 1936. From "Shinto and its Architecture."
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui seal lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei Hb-s9
Condition: Foxing in sky at right. Pencil note on back.

Paul Jacoulet
Tatooed Woman of Falalap, West Carolines
(Femme Tatouée de Falalap Ouest Carolines)
Date: July 5, 1935.
First edition: 91/150 numbered in kanji. Fewer than 100 impressions produced.
This edition was issued without a title...

Paul Jacoulet
Hokkan-zan, Seoul, Coree (Hokkan Mountains, Seoul, Korea)
Date: December 6, 1937.
Size: Approximately 18.25 x 14 inches.
Jacoulet signature and watermark with tea jar seal.
Edition: 144/350.
Carver: Maeda. Printer: Honda.
Reference: Print #45 in The Prints of Paul Jacoulet by Richard Miles
Condition: Excellent color and condition. The back margin edges are toned. The back top margin has three pieces of archival tape.

Arai Yoshimune
Snow in Wakanoura Bay
Date 1930s.
Size: Chuban. 10.25 x 7.75 inches.
Sealed by the artist at lower left.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku. Seal at right margin and back
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very faint foxing in sky. Back top corners have mounting residue.

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...

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Spring Snow
Size: Approximately 15.0 x 6.75 inches.
Date: pre-1936.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. No. 244 in 1936 Watanabe catalog. M-35 in Shotei catalog.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: A few faint spots on the back and very slight toning.

Ito Yuhan
Lantern in Pond
Date: 1930s. A pre-war or early postwar edition.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.75 x 10.75 inches.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku. Seal at left margin.
Artist's signature at lower right.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Artist: Oda Hironobu [signature and seal]
Descrption: Mountain scene
Date: 1930s
Size: Oban, approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches
Publisher: Maeba Han (oval seal)
Condition: A thinning area at the upper left. Crease at left. See verso photo of small tape/pencil notes.
- Oda Hironobu was born in 1888. His prints were produced in very small quantities and are rare. The colors in the hills would be at home in a California/Western woodcut.

Ito Sozan
Geese in Moonlight
Date: pre-1936.
Size: Tanzaku. 15 x 6.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Made in Japan stamped on verso.
Artist's signature and seal at lower left.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Back has pencil note and slight residue at top.

Noel Nouet(1885-1944)
Kuromon, 1936. From the 24 Views of Tokyo series.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Ikeda, Printer: Yokoi. Bears the Doi watermark.
An early edition of rarely seen design.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Ito Jakuchu
Flying Bird and Flower
Date: 1930s or earlier.
Size: 4.25 x 3 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin corner thinning or chips.

Kawase Hasui
Rain at Shuzenji Hot Spring
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1933
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the Watanabe "E seal" used between 1932-42 and consistent with a first edition.
Condition: Excellent with slight fading.

Imao Keinen (1845-1924)
Crow and Flowering Cherry
Date: ca. 1930
Size: Approximately 15.0 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Shima Art.
Provence: Purchased directly from the Robert O. Muller estate.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition. Excellent. Uncirculated.

Peerless Mount Fuji
Unsigned. Artist not identified.
Date: 1934.
Size: Oban. Approximately 13.75 x 10 inches.
Origin: Issued as a folded insert to an N.Y.K. Line publication called, "Glimpses of the East". The folds are vertical.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A faint foxing spot at the upper left.
The composition of this print is reminiscent of the Fuji views of Tsuchiya Koitsu.

Artist: This signature has been read "Choka" or "Akiyo". These prints are sometimes attributed to Nishimura Hodo.
Boat On a River at Night
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Red Takemura seal at lower left
Size: 10.0 x 7.25 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Scuff at upper right. Small smudge on mountain.
- A rare print similar to Shoda Koho's Hasegawa night scene, "Country Scene with Moon".

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Maruyama Park
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Square Takemura seal.
Date: 1930-40s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Titled and sealed by the artist.
Reference: TK-TM-130.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Hachiman Shrine, Kamakura
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Size: Approximately 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Bears the oval Hasui seal.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: Excellent with two small surface spots.
This design is not listed in the Hotei catalog.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Fireworks at Ryogoku
Size: Mitsugiriban. 14.875 x 6.625 inches.
Date: pre-1936.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: Shotei catalog M-51.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print. Attached at top edge only to original card.
Condition: A little waviness at lower right. Slight fading.
Provenance: Dedication on back reads, "With best of wishes from (Rabbi) Jacob J...

Tsuchiya Koitsu
A Long Spell of Rain
Date: 1930s.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10 x 7.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo.
Reference: Koitsu catalog no. TK-TM-060.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent color. A couple of scuffs and a very light crease near top.

Kawase Hasui
Temple in Snow
Date: ca 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Size: 7.25 x 5.0 inches.
Condition: Excellent. Tipped at top edge to original sheet.
This print does not appear in Kawase Hasui: The Complete Woodblock Prints. We could find only one other example.

Kawase Hasui
Godaido, Matsushima
Size: Approximately 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Bears the artist's oval seal.
Date: ca. 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight bend at upper right corner.
A rarely seen design.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Fireworks, Shubinomatsu
Size: Mitsugiriban. 15 x 6.75 inches.
Date: pre-1936.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Sealed and titled in the image.
Reference: Shotei catalog M-23. Watanabe #222, Ota-ku #195
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Top back edge has paper residue.

Kawase Hasui
Hie Shrine
Date: 1936.
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.5 x 5.0 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the oval Hasui seal.
Condition: Excellent.

Takahashi Shotei
Red temple in rain; priest over the steps
Date: ca. 1920s-30s.
Size: 5.75 x 3.5 inches
Reference: S-7 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.
Compare with our Shotei127.

Hiroshi Yoshida
Bamboo Wood
Date: 1939.
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.25 x 11 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image and lower margin.
Jizuri seal at upper left margin indicating self-printing by the artist.
Published by the artist.
Reference: Abe #229.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Margin has light toning and creasing.
- Depicts a scene in Saitama Prefecture.

Kawase Hasui
Pagoda in Snow
Date: 1930s.
Size: 6 x 4 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei #Hp-58
Condition: Excellent.

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.

Ohno Bakufu
Brocade Carp (Higoi)
Series: Familiar Fishes of Japan (Dai Nihon gyorui gashu)
Size: Oban. Approximately 19.25 x 13.5 inches. Visible image: 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Date: 1938.
Edition: No. 260 (noted on back in pencil).
Publisher: Nishinomiya Shoin/Kyoto Hanga-in.
Artist's signature and seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print employing mica highlights.
Condition: Excellent color. Some foxing in the water...

Kawase Hasui
Wakanoura
Date: 1930s.
Size: Koban. Approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
"Made in Japan" on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Paper residue at back.

Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956)
Chinese Matriarch, Soochow
Date: 1934.
Sheet size: 17.625 x 13.625 inches. Image size: 13.25 x 11.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Signed and titled in pencil by the artist.
Medium: Colored etching.
Provenance: Henry McBride collection.
Condition: Upper right corner margin crease...

Kawase Hasui
Snow at Arakawa River
Date: 1930s.
Size: Approximately 5.75 x 3.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Reference: Hotei: Hp-39.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Kawase Hasui
Lake Shoji
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.875 x 5.25 inches.
Date: 1930s.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Hasui seal lower right.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei Hp-14.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil note on back.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Amano Kaguyama
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round Takemura seal lower right.
Date: 1930s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Title and Koitsu's Shinsei seal at left.
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-TM-134.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print. Print is attached along top edge only to original greeting card.
Condition: Card is discolored which has resulted in toning below the peak of the mountain (see enlargement 3)...

Katharine Jowett (1890-1965) Sunset Behind East Gate, Peking.
Date: ca. 1930.
Size: 10.5 x 6.0 inches.
Pencil-signed by the artist.
Medium: Woodblock print.
Condition: Light crease. See additional photos. Top back margin has transparent tape from previous framing.

Arai Yoshimune
Pleasure Boat
Date: ca. 1910s-38.
Size: Approximately 5.5 x 3.625 inches (14 x 9.4 cm)
Not signed (acquired with our artist-sealed Yoshimune053).
Publisher: Hasegawa Takejiro.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print attached along its top edge only to an unused holiday card.
Condition: Print is toned in sky. Card is toned and has bend at right.

Kawase Hasui
Kawai Bridge
Date: 1930s
Size: Koban. Approximately 7.5 x 5.0 inches.
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller collection
Condition: Excellent.

Hiroshige Ando
Seven Ri Ferry Boat Approaching Kuwana
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Bears round Takemura seal.
Date: 1930s. Collected after WWII but very likely from Takemura's pre-war stock.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Tipped at top to original greeting card.
Condition: Very good. Card discolored with hole at back cover.

Ito Shinsui (1898-1972)
Peaches and Melon. From the Three Still Lifes series.
Date: 1939.
Size: Approximately 19 x 14.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Artist's signature and seal.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Toning. Fading. Repairs made to margins and portion near left edge.

Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945)
Night Shower at Izumi Bridge
Date: Pre-1932.
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15.0 x 6.75 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Reference: M-16 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: A thin paper spot at bridge post as shown. On the back, there are two thinner portions where tape had been. Tiny 1 cm tear extending from right center margin...

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.

Saito Hodo (aka Nishimura Hodo)
Two women walking on a spring night
Date: 1920s-1930s.
Size: Oban. 15.5 x 10.25 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo (label on back).
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...

Kawase Hasui
Lingering Snow at Hikone Castle, 1934
Series. Selection of Views of the Tokaido Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
First edition. Bears the Watanabe C seal (sausage seal) used between 1929 and 1942.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.50 x 10.25 inches.
Reference: Hotei #226.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Slight age toning.

Takahashi Shotei (Hiroaki)
Teahouse in the Night
Size: Mitsugiri-ban. Approximately 15.0 x 6.625 inches.
Date: pre-1936.
Artist's seal at lower right.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
No. 564 in 1936 Watanabe catalog. M-57 in Shotei catalog.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Kiyomizu Temple
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Round Takemura seal.
Date: 1930-40s.
Size: 5.5 x 3.5 inches.
Titled and sealed by the artist.
Reference: TK-TM-140.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Port Tomo, May 1939
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.0 x 7.5 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo
Koitsu catalogue no.: TK-TM-54
Condition: Tipped at top to original cardstock. Very light foxing.

Hiroshi Yoshida
Plum Gateway
Date: 1935.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.875 x 10.75 inches.
Signed and sealed in the image. Titled and signed in pencil.
Jizuri seal at left margin indicating a first edition self-printed by the artist.
Self-published by the artist.
H. Takemura & Co. label on back.
Reference: Abe catalog #205.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Light toning as seen in margin. Tear repair at upper left corner margin...

Takahashi Shotei
Drawing up seawater under moonlight.
The figures are engaged in saltmaking, likely at Suma Beach
Date: pre-1936.
Size: Approximately 7.5 x 5.25 inches.
Shotei's Rakutei seal at left.
Reference: S-50 in Shotei catalog.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent. Pencil notes on back.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Edogawa (Edo River)
Date: 1930s.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 10.5 x 7.75 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Seals on front and back.
Sealed by Koitsu at lower left.
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-TM-68
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Excellent.

Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956)
Little Pavilion, Peking, 1935.
(aka. Little Pavilion, Coal Hill, Peking)
Size: Approximately 14.75 x 9.25 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Condition: Excellent with a couple of very faint creases. Title noted in pencil on back.

Ohara Koson
Crow on Snowy Bough
Size: Approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches.
Date: ca. 1930s.
Unsigned as originally issued.
Publisher: Daikokuya (Matsuki Heikichi).
Reference: #48b on page 72 of Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller estate.
"Made in Japan" stamped on back.
Condition: Excellent. Never displayed.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Nippori
Date: 1930s. First and only edition.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.75 x 7 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Seal at lower right. Publisher's stamp at verso.
Koitsu's "Shinsei" seal at lower left.
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-TM-61.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Condition: Found framed without margins. Slight vertical crease in center. Small foxing spot under tree.

Kasamatsu Shiro (1898 - 1991)
The Great Lantern at Asakusa Kannon
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Date: 1934. First edition. Bears the Watanabe D seal (used 1931-1941).
Size: Oban, approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Very Good. Light wear and soft crease at left. Corner margin chip.

Ohara Koson
Crow on Cherry Branch
Size: Approximately 6.25 x 4.25 inches.
Date: ca. 1930s.
Unsigned as originally issued.
Reference: page 175 of Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
"Made in Japan" stamped on back.
Condition: Excellent. Uncirculated. One pencil point-sized dot in sky.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Provenance: The Robert O. Muller estate.

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.

Ito Yuhan
Watercolor Painting
Depicting a footbridge above a waterfall.
Date: 1930s.
Size: 13.25 x 9.75 inches.
Signed "Y. Ito" at lower left
Condition: Brilliant color. The top back has paper residue. A couple of very faint foxing marks in upper left corner.
Ito Yuhan is known for his woodblock prints that have a watercolor-like appearance.

Ohara Shoson (Koson)
Flycatcher and Cucumber.
Date: pre-1936.
Size: Approximately 10.0 x 3.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. W36-458 in Watanabe 1936 catalog.
Bears the Shoson seal.
Reference: S10.3 (cat. 160, p. 156) in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Excellent.

Hiroshi Yoshida
Toshogu Shrine
Date: 1937.
Size: Oban...

Shoda Koho
Moonlit Sea
From the Hasegawa Night Scenes series.
Size: Chuban. Approximately 9.75 x 7 inches.
Date: 1910-1938.
Publisher: Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Yosaku.
An early marginless edition as originally issued.
"Made in Japan" stamped on verso.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Two thin surface scratches - lower left and top. Top back corners have paper residue. Two small surface marks in water near right horizon.

Tsuchiya Koitsu
Kyoto Kitano
Size: 5.625 x 3.625 inches.
Publisher: Takemura Hideo. Takemura seal at lower left.
Date: 1930s.
Koitsu's Shinsei seal at lower right.
Koitsu catalog no.: TK-TM-120.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Condition: Rough left margin.
Note: Unlike the catalog example, this one is titled in the image.

Kawase Hasui
Vermillion-lacquered Temple Gate in Snow
Date: 1930s.
Size: Approximately 6.125 x 4.125 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo
Hasui seal at lower right.
"Made in Japan" stamped on back.
Medium: Japanese woodblock print.
Reference: Hotei Hp-48.
Condition: Excellent.