Complete set of 12 19th century erotic Japanese woodblock prints (shunga), plus a cover by an Utagawa school artist. The individual prints can be arranged to create one large design. Typical of this genre, the prints are unsigned.
The dimensions of each piece is approximately 5/8 x 4 1/8 inches. The individual prints are in very good condition, with embossing and lacquer highlights. There is some light soiling ...click for details
Original Japanese woodblock print, c. 1800, depicting an amorous couple. The print is slightly faded, with some faint soiling and rubbing. The entire sheet measures 10 x 14 3/4 inches. As is the case with many prints of this genre, it is not signed.
This print is from the genre generally called “shunga”, also known as “images of spring”. The imagery of shunga prints varies from graphic rendezvous between courtesa ...click for details
Original 18th century Japanese woodblock print by Isoda Koryusai (fl. c. 1764-1788), depicting a bathhouse scene, from the series 12 Bouts for Eros. The print is somewhat faded, with some soiling and toning on the front and reverse, faint creasing in the image, light toning at the front top edge and on the reverse, and some minor wrinkling at the upper left edge of the print. The entire sheet measures 9 1/2 x 15 1/8 inches. ...click for details
Original 18th century Japanese woodblock print by Suzuki Harunobu (1724-1770), depicting an interruption of an amorous liaison. The impression and color of this print are excellent. There is a faint centerfold, some light toning at the front top edge and on the reverse, and some minor wrinkling at upper left edge of the print. The entire sheet measures 7 3/8 x 9 7/8 inches.
Original Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (1786-1875), depicting the actor Matsumoto Koshiro in the role of Takechi Mitsuhide, from the play Samidare (?). It is from the series “Seisho Nanatsu Iroha”, published by Yamaguchiya Tobei in 1856. This series has a print for every syllable in the Kana “alphabet”. This design is for the syllable “SA”, as in the title of the play Samidare ….
Original Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (1786-1875), depicting an actor dancing. It is from the series “Seisho Nanatsu Iroha”, 1856, which has a print for every syllable in the Kana “alphabet”. This design is for the syllable “RO”. The dimensions are approximately 13 3/4 x 9 inches, plus margins. The colors are very fresh, and the condition is good, aside from some worm damage at the top in the calligraphy and at the left margin, and minor trimming of the margins.
Original Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (1786-1875), depicting an actor in the role of a magician in the play "Jiraichi". It is from the series “Seisho Nanatsu Iroha”, 1856, which has a print for every syllable in the Kana “alphabet”. This design is for the syllable “SHI”. The dimensions are approximately 13 3/4 x 9 inches, plus margins. The colors are very fresh, and the condition is good, aside from some thinning in the margins and a vertical fold in the left margin, an ...click for details
Original Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (1786-1875), depicting two actors in the roles of samurai. It is from the series “Seisho Nanatsu Iroha”, 1856, which has a print for every syllable in the Kana “alphabet”. This design is for the syllable “KO”. The dimensions are approximately 13 3/4 x 9 inches, plus margins. The colors are very fresh, and the condition is good, aside from some worm damage in the top calligraphy, and minor trimming of the margins.
Original Japanese woodblock print by Toyokuni III (1786-1875), depicting an actor in the role of Sato Masakiyo, from the play “Hachijin Shugo no Honjo”. It is from the series “Seisho Nanatsu Iroha”, published by Yamaguchiya Tobei in 1856. This series has a print for every syllable in the Kana “alphabet”. This design is for the syllable “HA”, as in the title of the play Hachijin….
