Rare Edo period Japanese namazu-e (earthquake fish picture) woodblock print featuring a giant human-like catfish receiving punishment after being found guilty by a judge for causing the Ansei earthquake of 1855. A group of human-like catfish watch as the punishment is being meted out. In Japanese mythology, it was believed that giant catfish living underground caused earthquakes with their thrashing movements. A series of namazu-e were published anonymously in Japan shortly after the Ansei ea ...click for details
Two rare Chinese Song dynasty qingbai (yingqing) glazed porcelain dishes of chrysanthemum form with thinly potted bodies, an upturned rim divided into twelve lobed petals by vertical ribs, and flat, slightly concave unglazed bases. Circa 10th - 11th century. 4 1/8” diameter. There are a few tiny flea bites at the rim which are visible under magnification and there are a few old hairline cracks that appear to be stable. From the private collection of a former American expatriate to Guangzhou in 1 ...click for details
Rare Edo period Japanese namazu-e (earthquake fish picture) woodblock print featuring a giant human-like catfish playing a samisen beside an oni (demon) who is seated casually reading a book. In Japanese mythology, it was believed that giant catfish living underground caused earthquakes with their thrashing movements. A series of namazu-e were published anonymously in Japan shortly after the Ansei earthquake hit Edo (now Tokyo) in 1855. The prints were believed to offer protection against fut ...click for details
Rare Japanese woodblock print kakemono (vertical diptych) by Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) depicting Onoe Kikugoro V as Nikki Danjo, the archvillain of kabuki roles, transforming himself magically into a rat. The kabuki play “Meibuku Sendai Hagi” (“The Disputed Succession”), deals with an assassination attempt on Tsuruchiyo, a child who had inherited the position as head of a Semdai clan. A stolen scroll containing a list of assassination conspirators is in Nikki Danjo’s mouth. Published by ...click for details
Sino-Japanese War triptych of a naval battle scene at Wei-hai-wei featuring an embattled Chinese ship at the center surrounded by the Japanese fleet. Several final blasts sink the ship and send the Chinese soldiers into the ocean. The black ink signature of the artist is barely visible at the lower right and is possibly Kobayashi Ikuhide (active 1885-1898). The specific date is not filled in on the cartouche, but is 1894-1895. The assembled size is about 27 7/8"H x 14 1/4"V. Each ...click for details
Russo-Japanese War triptych illustrating the surprise attack on Russia’s Far Eastern Fleet at Port Arthur that initiated the war. A large torpedo-boat is at the center. Two Russian ships at the upper left have been hit and are sinking. Three Japanese battleships are at the upper right. The title cartouche at the upper right describes the scene in both Japanese and English as “On the night of the 8th of February 1904, our brave fleet of torpedo-boats fired at the Russian squadron at Port Arth ...click for details
Japanese Yokohama woodblock print triptych illustrating the interior of an American steamship by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870) published by Maruya Jinpachi in 1861. In this design, the artist utilizes the traditional Japanese convention of “roofless architecture” which allows the contents of the ship to be visible. Inside, westerners are seated at a long table having a dinner party. The assembled size is 14 5/8"V x 29 1/4"H (each panel is about 14 5/8"V x 10"H). ...click for details
Chinese porcelain “birthday” bowl decorated in famille rose enamels and gilt highlights with four round medallions each containing one of the four characters “wan shou fu jiang” (wishes for a long life without end) set against a turquoise ground densely covered with scrolling lotus. A yellow ruyi border extends along the interior edge and a key-fret border is on the exterior edge. At the center of the interior is a stylized “shou” (long life) symbol. The recessed base is stamped in orange-red ...click for details
Historically important Japanese woodblock print triptych depicting the landing of foreigners of the “Five Treaty Nations” in Yokohama by Utagawa Yoshikazu (flourished 1850-1870). The print features soldiers and civilians from America, England, France, Russia, and The Netherlands grouped together with their respective flag and label. Two Chinese compradores, who facilitated trade, are in the foreground and western ships line the harbor in the background. The print is signed “Issen Yoshikazu” a ...click for details
Japanese limited edition sosaku hanga “kappa-ban” (stencil print) on crumpled hand-made momigami paper by Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996) titled “St. Francis.” The black and white image, set against a light Prussian blue background, depicts St. Francis blessing the birds. The print is signed and dated 1983 at the lower left and numbered 20/100 at the lower right, all in white ink. The paper measures about 23”V x 17 ½”H. The print is in very good overall condition. There is some foxing evident on ...click for details
