Utagawa Kuniyoshi

woodblock print, embellished with a blind-printed ground imitating crepe paper (chirimengami)

36.7 x 25.5 cm

Jul 11, 2024 • Sotheby's

Woodblock print

26.0 x 38.1 cm

Mar 26, 2024 • Christie's

Woodblock print

24.8 x 37.4 cm

Mar 26, 2024 • Christie's

an oban tate-e print of hatsuhana, from the series kenjo reppu den (biographies of wise women and virtuous wives), depicting hatsuhana, the wife of the warrior iinuma katsugoro praying to the deity hakone gongen to cure her husband's disabling illness under a waterfall, published by ibaya senzaburo

36.8 x 25 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

seven oban tate-e prints of various subjects, comprising: two of ne (rat) and uma (ox) from the series mitate junishi (selections for the 12 zodiac signs); one of a standing geisha in yanagibashi district from the series tosei sanpuku tsui (contemporary set of three); one, a sheet from a triptych, depicting three upper-class ladies; one of shijo dainagon from the series chuko meiyo kijinden (biographies of exceptional persons of loyalty and honour); two sheets of yakusha-e probably from the same triptych; all variously published and signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga/chooro kuniyoshi ga; all mounted on card. the smallest: 35cm x 24cm (13¾in x 9 7/16in); the largest: 38.2cm x 25.5cm (15 1/16in x 10in). (7).

35 x 24 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e print of yawata: omi kotoda, yawata saburo from the series kisokaido rokujukyu tsugi (69 stations on the kisokaido road), published by hayashiya shogoro, two nanushi censor's seals fuku and muramatsu, date seal rat 6 (1852); signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga with yoshikiri seal. 34.5cm x 24.5cm (13 9/16in x 9 5/8in).

34.5 x 24.5 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

six oban tate-e prints from the series hyakunin isshu (100 poems by 100 poets), comprising: sojo henjo, no.12; ariwara no narihira ason, no.17; funya no yasuhide, no.22; gonchunagon sadayori, no.64; noin hoshi, no.69; jakuren hoshi, no.87; published by ebisu

23.7 x 34.5 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

a shikishiban surimono print from the series fuzoku onna suikoden: hyakuhachiban (108 contemporary women's tales of the water margin), depicting a geisha wringing out a tenugui (cotton towel) on a pleasure boat, with two poems by gachoan michitane and hisakataya, with a printer's seal suriko shinzo

20.9 x 18.9 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

an oban yoko-e print of six stations: maisaka, arai, shirasuka, futakawa, yoshida, and goyu, from the series tokaido gojusan eki rokushuku meisho (famous views on the 53 stations of the tokaido, six stations at a time), published by tsuruya kiemon and tsutaya kichizo, the artist signature hidden beneath the card mount; framed and glazed. 23.5cm x 35.5cm (9 3/16in x 14in).

23.5 x 35.5 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

36 x 73.2 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

two oban tate-e musha-e prints: the first by kuniyoshi, of saito toshimoto nyudo ryuhon, no.48, from the series taiheiki eiyuden (heroes of the great peace), published by yamaotoya heikichi, two nanushi censor's seals murata and mera

25.2 x 35.7 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

five oban tate-e prints: the first of minakuchi, no.51, from the series tokaido gojusan tui (53 pairings along the tokaido road); the second of tokiwa gozen from the series kenyu fujo kagami (mirror of women of wisdom and courage); the third to fifth, the right to left sheets of a triptych, depicting respectively onoe kikujiro ii as haru on'na, ichimura uzaemon xii as heiji, and nakamura utaemon iv as jiro; all variously published and all signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga; all mounted on card. the smallest: 36cm x 24.7cm (14 3/16in x 9 11/16in); the largest: 37cm x 24.8cm (14 9/16in x 9¾in). (5).

36 x 24.7 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

three oban tate-e prints: the first by kuniyoshi of san ryakuden jusan (the secrets of strategy: chapter 13 from the series hodo yoshitsune koi no minamoto ichidaigami (mirror of the life of minamoto no yoshitsune, the wellspring of romance), published by ibaya kyubei, two nanushi censor's seals murata and mera

35 x 24 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

13 oban tate-e prints of various subjects, including yakusha-e: three prints of u (hare), tatsu (dragon) and mi (snake) from the series mitate junishi (the 12 zodiac signs); one of yaoya hanbei from the series ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu (patterned on the ogura 100 poems by 100 poets); one depicting nakaura sarukichiro hisayoshi from the series taiheiki eiyuden (heroes of the grand peace); the one of inue shinbei from the series giyu hakkenden (royal heroes of the hakkenden); one yakusha-e print from a triptych; one yakusha-e probably a kaomise banzuke (debut playbill or actor playbill) of kabuki actors; one yakusha-e titled asakura ichidaiki (life of asakura); three incomplete yakusha-e from different triptychs; one musha-e depicting sato tadanobu from the series yobu hakkei (eight views of military brilliance); variously published, the first seven signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga; the last six signed ichiyusai/chokoro kuniyoshi ga; some mounted on paper. the smallest: 35cm x 24cm (13¾in x 9 7/16in); the largest: 38cm x 25.2cm (14 15/16in x 9 15/16in). (13).

35 x 24 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

eight prints of various sizes, formats and subjects: two by kuniyoshi, the first an oban tate-e of hana no en: hinadori (cherry-blossom party: baby bird) from the series genji gumo ukiyo-e awase (genji clouds matched with ukiyo-e pictures), the second an otanzakuban tate-e of chapter 7, momiji no ga (an imperial celebration of autumn foliage) of genji monogatari (the tale of genji) from the series buyu nazorae genji (heroic comparisons for the chapters of genji); four prints by kunisada, the third a chuban tate-e of kanbara no zu (view of kanbara) from the series tokaido gojusantsugi (53 stations of the tokaido road), the fourth and fifth, two chuban tate-e of sekiya (gatehouse) and suzumushi (bell cricket), respectively from the series genjiko no zu (genji incense pictures), the sixth an oban tate-e, the middle sheet from the triptych genji monogatari: utsusemi no maki (tales of genji: the cicada shell); the seventh and eighth, two koban surimono attributed to kunisada, both titled kokkei shichifukujin (humorous seven lucky gods), each depicting a beauty; variously signed except for the last two and variously published; all mounted on card. the smallest: 19cm x 12.4cm (7½in x 4 7/8in); the largest: 36.8cm x 25.5cm (14½in x 10 1/16in). (8).

19 x 12.4 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

an oban yoko-e print depicting shin yoshiwara from the set of ten prints toto meisho (famous views of the eastern capital) showing night revellers, three walking and two porters carrying a palanquin with a wealthy patron inside returning home along the yoshiwara embankment, a pair of piebald puppies snuggled against each other, having fallen asleep at the foot of a street lamp, beneath a moon surrounded by an enormous halo covering a vast expanse of sky, published by kagaya kichibei, with censor's seal kiwame, the collector's seal of henri vever to the right of the publisher's mark; signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga. 23.3cm x 33.5cm (9 1/8in x 13 1/8in).

23.3 x 33.5 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

34.5 x 23.2 cm

May 23, 2023 • Bonhams

three print triptychs

38.4 x 25.4 cm

Mar 22, 2023 • Bonhams

an ōban tate-e print triptych entitled shichirihama yori enoshima no enkei (view of enoshima from shichirihama beach)

36.8 x 23.5 cm

Mar 22, 2023 • Bonhams

comprising 9 ōban tate-e prints from the series tsūzoku suikoden gōketsu hyakuhachinin no hitori (one hundred and eight heroes of the popular shuihuzhuan), including senkaji chōō (zhang heng, the boatman); katsuenra genshôshichi (ruan xiaoqi, the living king of hell); kojōsō jisen (shi qian, the flea on the drum); kokusenpū riki, ichimei ritetsugyū (li kui, the black whirlwind, also called iron ox li); rōrihakuchō chōjun (zhang shun, the white streak in the waves); kyūmonryū shishin (shi jin, the nine-dragoned), and chōkanko chintatsu (chen da, the gorge-leaping tiger); kaoshō rochishin shomei rotatsu (lu zhishen, the tattooed priest, originally named lu da); nyūunryū kōsonshō (gongsun sheng, the dragon in the clouds); konkōryū rishun (li jun, the dragon in the turbulent river); two ōban tate-e prints from the series honcho suikoden goyu happyakunin no hitori (one of the eight hundred heroes of the water margin of japan) including kazusanosuke hirotsune battling the nine-tailed fox on nasu moor; and inuzuka shino moritaka resisting arrest on the horyukaku roof, each signed ichiyūsai kuniyoshi ga, published by kagaya kichiemon; and an ōban tate-e print of kamigashi-hime killing a giant spider

38.1 x 25.7 cm

Mar 22, 2023 • Bonhams

an ōban tate-e print triptych entitled sōma no furudairi ni masakado himegimi takiyasha yōjutsu o motte mikata o atsumuru, ōya no taro mitsukuni yōkai o tamesan to koko ni kitari tsui ni kore o horobosu (in the ruined palace of [taira] masakado at sōma his daughter princess takiyasha uses sorcery to summon allies, ōya no tarō mitsukuni comes to put the monster to the test and finally destroys it), with red cartouches identifying (right to left) takiyasha's faithful servant araimaru, ōya no tarō mitsukuni, and princess takiyasha; each sheet signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga (the right-hand sheet with paulownia-leaf seal); publisher's marks hachi; censor's seals watari (3)

38.1 x 26 cm

Mar 22, 2023 • Bonhams

the first, an ōban tate-e print entitled mi: dote no oroku (snake: dote no oroku) from the series mitate jūni shi (selected histories for the twelve zodiac signs)

36.2 x 25.4 cm

Mar 22, 2023 • Bonhams

woodblock print triptych, each signed kuniyoshi ga, published by enshuya hikobei

36.8 x 24.8 cm

Mar 21, 2023 • Christie's

woodblock print triptych

38.1 x 24.8 cm

Mar 21, 2023 • Christie's

woodblock print triptych

37.5 x 25.4 cm

Mar 21, 2023 • Christie's

woodblock print

36.3 x 24.5 cm

Mar 16, 2023 • Sotheby's

woodblock print

36.9 x 25.5 cm

Mar 16, 2023 • Sotheby's

woodblock print

36.8 x 24.5 cm

Mar 16, 2023 • Sotheby's

an oban tate-e diptych print (two incomplete sheets from a triptych) of wada gassen yoshihide somon o oshiyaburu (yoshihide breaking down the great gate during the revolt of the wada), published by yamaguchiya tobei, two nanushi censor's seals murata and kinugasa, date seal rat 4 (1852)

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e triptych print of kawanakajima dai gassen (the great battle of kawanakajima), depicting yamamoto kansuke, one of the 24 generals of takeda shingen, rallying his troops for their last stand at the battle of kawanakajima in 1561, published by yamamotoya kyubei, censor's seal aratame, date seal tiger 8 (1854)

37 x 25 cm

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e triptych print titled daimotsu no ura dai gassen (the great battle off the shore at daimotsu), the last battle between the taira and the minamoto clans in 1185, depicting taira no noritsune attempting to catch yoshitsune, jumping from ship to ship and escaping, published by moriya jihei, censor's seal aratame, date seal dragon 10 (1856)

36.8 x 25.1 cm

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

29 oban prints, eight oban triptychs, one chuban print and one square-shaped print by various artists, the majority yakusha-e and incomplete sheets from a triptych, comprising: three warrior prints of various formats by kuniyoshi, the first an oban tate-e depicting ushiwakamaru and benkei fighting on the gojo bridge from the series buyu moyu kagami (mirror of military excellence and fierce courage), published by iseya sanjiro, censor's seal kiwame

25.5 x 18.5 cm

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e triptych print titled kusunoki no jinchu ni sugimoto akiyuki o hakatte meiken o eru no zu (sugimoto wins an important sword by outmanoeuvring akiyuki at kusunoki masashige's camp), published by yamamotoya heikichi, date seal horse 4 (1858)

35.7 x 25.1 cm

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e triptych print titled soga kyodai chichi no adauchi no zu (soga brothers revenge for their father), published by sanoya kihei, two nanushi censor's seals mera and watanabe

35 x 24.5 cm

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e triptych print titled yashima dai gassen (the great battle of yashima), depicting the naval battle at yashima in 1185 during the war between the taira and minamoto clans, published by ebiya rinnosuke, two nanushi censor's seals hama and magome

37.2 x 25.2 cm

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e print, the middle sheet from the triptych ujigawa kassen no zu (the battle of the uji river), depicting a minamoto general sasaki takatsuna crossing the uji river on horseback, published by enshuya hikobei, two nanushi censor's seals kinugasa and yoshimura; signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga with yoshikiri seal. 25.5cm x 37.5 cm (10 1/16in x 14¾in).

25.5 x 37.5 cm

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e print of oniwakamaru and the giant carp from the series juroku musashibo (sixteen stories of musashibo), published by daikokuya heikichi, with two nanushi censor's seals murata and mera

34.5 x 23.5 cm

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e triptych print titled ishibashiyama dai gassen no zu (the great battle of ishibashiyama), published by yamaguchiya tobei, two nanushi censor's seals murata and mera

36.2 x 25.5 cm

Dec 16, 2022 • Bonhams

three woodblock print triptychs

35.2 x 73 cm

Dec 13, 2022 • Sotheby's

38.2cm x 26.3cm (15 1/16in x 10 3/8in) 38.4cm x 26cm (15 1/8in x 10¼in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e print of kinsenhyoshi toryu from the series tsuzoku suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin (108 heroes of the popular water margin); depicting toryu the ironsmith plying his trade, inspecting a forged bar to see if it is straight, a smith's anvil at the bottom left and a small coal of fire burning at the bottom right corner, published by kagaya kichibei, with censor's seal kiwame; signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga. overall: 50.5cm x 39.5cm (19 7/8in x 15½in); image: 36.5cm x 25.5cm (14 3/8in x 10in); framed and glazed.

50.5cm x 39.5cm (19 7/8in x 15½in) 36.5cm x 25.5cm (14 3/8in x 10in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e warrior print and a key block proof print of ryotoda kaichin from the series tsuzoku suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin (108 heroes of the popular water margin), both published by kagaya kichbei, with censor's seal kiwame; signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga. 37.2cm x 26cm (14 5/8in x 10¼in) and 37.5cm x 26.5cm (14¾in x 10 7/16in). (2).

37.2cm x 26cm (14 5/8in x 10¼in) and 37.5cm x 26.5cm (14¾in x 10 7/16in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

38.5cm x 26.5cm (15 3/16in x 10 7/16in) 37.5cm x 25.5cm (14¾in x 10 1/16in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

an onba tate-e print of sotoki sosei from the series tsuzoku suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin (108 heroes of the popular water margin); depicting sotoki sosei (chinese: cao zheng) stripped to the waist, his upper body tattooed with images of fish and cuttlefish, armed with a long pole, about to give chase to the scoundrel yoshi, published by kagaya kichibei, censor's seal kiwame

38.2cm x 26.5cm (15 1/16in x 10 7/16in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e print of sakada kaidomaru, depicting a red-bodied kaidomaru wrestling under a waterfall with a giant carp, published by kagaya kichibei; signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga. 38cm x 26cm (14 15/16in x 14¼in).

38cm x 26cm (14 15/16in x 14¼in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

37.5cm x 26cm (14¾in x 10¼in) and 37.7cm x 26cm (14 13/16in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

two oban tate-e warrior prints: the first of inumura daigaku masanori from the series honcho suikoden goyu happyakunin (800 heroes of the water margin of japan), published by kagaya kichibei, censor's seal kiwame

38cm x 26cm (14 15/16in x 14¼in) 38cm x 27cm (14 15/16in x 10 5/8in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

an oban tate-e print of ryotoda kaichin from the series tsuzoku suikoden goketsu hyakuhachinin (108 heroes of the popular water margin); depicting kaichin dressed in a straw rain cape and tying up his enemy, a bell-shaped instrument with sharp edges attached to the end of the rope, published by kagaya kichibei, with censor's seal kiwame; signed ichiyusai kuniyoshi ga overall: 50.5cm x 39.5cm (19 7/8in x 15½in); image: 36.5cm x 25.5cm (14 3/8in x 10in); framed and glazed.

50.5cm x 39.5cm (19 7/8in x 15½in) 36.5cm x 25.5cm (14 3/8in x 10in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

two oban tate-e prints from the series mitate junishi (selections for the 12 signs of the zodiac): the first tora: torazo and kiichi (tiger: [actors as] torazo and kiichi), with two nanushi censor's seals muramatsu and fukushima, date seal rat 6 (1852), mounted on card, 35.7cm x 24.7cm (14 1/16in x 9 11/16in); the second of tori: tsunagoro (cock: [an actor as] tsunagoro), with two nanushi censor's seals mera and watanabe, date seal rat 7 (1852), 36cm x 24cm (14 3/16in x 9 7/16in); both published by kakumotoya kinjiro

35.7cm x 24.7cm (14 1/16in x 9 11/16in) 36cm x 24cm (14 3/16in x 9 7/16in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams

19 oban tate-e diptychs, some two sheets from triptychs, of various subjects, comprising: 16 diptychs from the series meiyo juhachiban (18 scenes of honourable acts) by toshihide; two yakusha-e diptychs (two sheets from a triptych) by kuniyoshi and kunichika respectively; one of momijigari (red maple hunting) from the series nogaku hyakuban (100 noh plays) by kogyo; variously published and variously signed; each in a plastic sleeve. the smallest: 35.5cm x 46.9cm (13 15/16in x 18 7/16in); the largest: 37.7cm x 50.8cm (14 13/16in x 20in) (19).

35.5cm x 46.9cm (13 15/16in x 18 7/16in) 37.7cm x 50.8cm (14 13/16in x 20in)

Nov 3, 2022 • Bonhams