An actor portraying a samurai admiring himself in a mirror in a scene from the kabuki theater by Toyokuni III (also known as Kunisada). Signed "by special request of the publisher." Published by Kinjudo between 1847-48. Standard "oban" size panels measuring roughly 15"V x 10"H. Possibly from a triptych. Excellent color with vibrant yellow and green in the background. Good overall condition with no tape stains, toning or tears. The baren marks and image are clearly visible on the back...

Japanese woodblock print of a beauty and child from a series depicting powerful individuals by Ichiyusai Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) published by Hayashiya in 7/1852. 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. Vertical oban size measuring 14 1/2"V x 9 5/4"H. Fair impression quality. Very good overall condition with minor soiling...

An actor in street attire standing in front of a row of shops and tea houses by Osaka artist Sadahiro (active 1830-1851) dating circa 1845. A pupil of Kunisada, Sadahiro's woodblock prints were published in Osaka in the 1830's and 1840's. The seal of the publisher Iseya Sensaburo appears on the actor's head. The artist's signature is in black ink at the lower left. Exceptional color and impression with lacquer highlights on the edge of the inner kimono and mica in the background...

Japanese Edo period woodblock print by Kunisada II (1823-1880) depicting the actors Seki Sanjuro III and Ichikawa Danzo in the role of old barefoot monks holding fans. Published by Tsutaya Kichizo 9/1862. The cartouches at the upper left and upper right bear the names of the actors. The signature of the artist, publisher's seal and censor's seal are located at the lower right. Measures 14" x 9 3/8"...

Japanese woodblock print quadriptych (four panels) by Osaka actor Yoshitaki (1841-1899) dating circa 1860's. Each panel features an actor standing against an embossed, checkered background. The black ink signature of the artist is in the lower section of each panel. Each chuban sized sheet measures 9 1/2"V x 6 7/8"H. Excellent color with extensive gauffrage and lacquered highlights. The panels are trimmed and Japanese mulberry paper album backed...

Japanese Meiji Period woodblock print of a BIJIN by Chikanobu. Dated Meiji 29, or 1897. Fine color and impression. The print measures 9 3/4" wide by 14 5/8" tall.

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, 1839-1892. Title: The Moon of Ogurusu in Yamashiro (yamashiro ogurusu no tsuki). Series: One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (tsuki hyaku shi). Signature: Yoshitoshi. Artist's Seal: Taiso. Engraver's Seal: Enkatsu. Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Date: Meiji 19 (1886), 2nd month, 1st day. Format: oban tate-e, (Image) H.13 x W.8.875". Condition: Very good colors and impression...

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861). Subject: Yakusha-e (kabuki actor print), Iwai Tojaku (1776-1847) as Osode. Signature: ichiyuusai Kuniyoshi-ga. Publisher: Joushuu-ya Kinzou. Date: ca...

Utagawa Kunisada [Toyokuni III] (1786-1864). Subject: Yakusha-e, Kabuki actor print; Kawarazaki Gonjurou (stage name of Ichikawa Danjurou IX [1838-1903] from 9/1852 to 2/1869).Signature: “ki-o Toyokuni ga” in red toshidama cartouche. Engraver Seal: Yokogawa. Censor Seal: “aratame” (examined), year of the cock (1861) 9th month. Publisher: Yamaguchi-ya Toubei. Date: 1861. Format: oban tate-e, H.13.75 x W.9". Comments: “kirazuri” mica powder giving sheen to dark blue background o...

Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861). Subject: Mitate-e; “Eikyoudai Mitate Sanjuu Boku Kuisen” (Mirror Selections of 30 Trees & Flowers). Signature: “ichiyuusai Kuniyoshi ga”. Artist Seal: “kiri” (paulownia). Nanushi Censor Seal: “watari” (Watanabe Jiemon). Publisher: Joushuu-ya Kinzou. Date: ca...

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Subject: Musha-e (Warrior print); “Yoshitoshi Musha Burui” (Yoshitoshi’s Courageous Warriors): Young Hino Wakamaru (after revenging his father’s death) and the “yamabushi” (mountain priest) escaping from Sado Island”, #14 in this series of 33. Signature: “Yoshitoshi hitsu” (from the brush of Yoshitoshi). Artist’s Seal: Taiso. Engraver: Horikou Muneoka. Publisher: Tsunajima Kanekichi. Date: Meiji 18 (1885.) Format: oban tate-e...

Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Subject: “Kyoudou Risshiki” (Instructive Models of Lofty Ambition), Fujiwara Arihira Walking in the Rain. Text by Eisai. No...

The Moon Through a Crumbling Window. (Hasou no Tsuki). Printed: 1st day. 2nd month. 1886. Engraver: Yamamoto. Signature: Yoshitoshi. Seal: Yoshitoshi no in. Publisher: Akiyama Buemon. Format: Oban tate-e: H.13 x W. 8.75". Condition: Good Impression & Colors. Light soiling to bottom of print. Retains album backing. Margins trimmed, and left margin covered by album attachment. Images of Bodhidharma (Daruma in Japanese,) patriarch of Zen Buddhism, have come to epitomize the ...

Japanese woodblock print depicting an actor portraying a samurai by Kuniteru II (1829-1874), published by Daikokuya Heikichi (Shojudo) in 1867. The paper measures about 14 5/8"V x 10 1/4"H. The print is in very good overall condition with good impression quality and color. There are lacquer highlights in the black areas and mica at the top. There is an ample margin on the left and top. The paper is fine, the print is not backed, and the image is clearly visible on the reverse. There is no ta...

Japanese woodblock print by Yoshitoshi, from "100 Aspects of the Moon" series.

Shini-e (memorial portrait) of the Kabuki actor Kikugoro, issued 1903

The actor died at age 60. He is shown holding a Buddhist sutra and his “death poem” in is cursive script above his head.

Signed Utagawa Toyosai, dated: 1903, fine impression and color, left margin slightly trimmed, small brown spot above sutra page, original paper backing possibly from time of issue.

Oban tate-e: 9 ½ x 14 in.

Two Kabuki actors in a rather intense moment, issued ca. 1860

Published by Ise-ya Kanekichi, very good impression and color, light rubbing and slight wrinkling to edges, upper corners with small reinforcements, not backed.

Oban tate-e: 9 ¾ x 14 1/8 in.

From the series: “Twelve New Tales from the Miserable Storehouse” issued 1859

Two uncut horizontal chuban prints – numbers eleven and twelve on one oban leaf. The upper print depicts a warrior battling demon ghosts and the lower is a shrine scene.

Upper and lower prints are both signed Yoshitsuya in red cartouches with aratame and date seal to 1859, good impression, color and condition, remnants of recent hinge paper on upper corners, a new narrow line of old backing paper on ...