Ohara Koson
Scops owl and tree sparrow on a branch, another tree sparrow in flight below
Size: Dai-oban. Approximately 16.5 x 10.25 inches.
Date: Early 20th century.
Publisher: Nishinomiya Yosaku.
Reference: #K20.7, page 187 in Crows, Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson (Amy Reigle Newland)
Condition: Tonal differences from framing apparent along the top and bottom.
This powerful owl is very rarely seen.
Japanese print by sosaku-hanga artist Haku Maki (1924-2000), titled "Work 74-7". It shows the profile of a tree with many long, twisting branches in a beautiful navy blue color against a metallic silver background. The outlines of the tree are embossed, giving it more depth and contrast. Numbered 83/153 and signed in pencil, with Maki's red signature stamp in the corner. Framed.
Size: (entire frame) 11.75: height, 9.5" width (artwork only) 8.5" height, 6.25" width
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.
Kawase Hasui
The Beach at Kaiganji in Sanuki Province, 1934.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the D seal, indicating a first edition.
Size: Oban, Approximately 15.25 x 10.25 inches.
Condition: Excellent with nearly invisible tone line near left margin.
A magnificent rare print.
Original shin-hanga woodblock print titled "Sacred Grove" by artist Tōshi Yoshida (1911-1995). It is a nature scene showing a red temple with golden doors and roof, partially obscured by trees. The forest floor is mossy and only a small bit of the sky peeks through the treetops. The print is framed behind glass with a large wooden border. The photo shows reflection on the glass but the print is perfect.
Size: (entire frame) 16" height, 12" width (print only) 9" height, 6.5" width
Japanese large print entitled "Fruit" by the artist Reika Iwami. She was born in 1927, graduated from the Tokyo Bunka Gakuin Art College. She studied the art of doll-carving and worked under the national treasure, Hori Ryūjo before becoming a print artist in 1954. This print exemplifies her use of large abstract shapes and a muted pallet. In this print, Iwami has used mica and an embossing technique. Signed in graphite, dated 1959...
Tsuchiya Koitsu
Summer Moon at Miyajima
Size: Approximately 16.75 x 11.25 inches.
Date: 1936. This edition is postwar (1950-1963).
Koitsu.com catalog no. TK-DH-036.
Publisher: Doi Hangaten. Carver: Harada. Printer: Yokoi.
Condition: Excellent. Full margins on all sides.
Ohara Koson
Fox between reeds near moonlit water.
Date: ca. 1930.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.0 x 10.5 inches.
Publisher: Kawaguchi and Sakai. Seal in left margin.
Reference: No. S41.4, p. 212 in "Crows Cranes and Camellias: The Natural World of Ohara Koson" (Reigle Newland).
Condition: Very good. Toning line evident at margin.
A rare design.
Kawase Hasui
Rain at Shinobazu Pond
Date: 1929.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15,25 x 10.0 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the Watanabe A seal in the right margin, indicating a first edition.
Condition: Very good. Light toning and fading.
Kawase Hasui
Hachirogata Lagoon in Akita District
Date: 1927.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.0 x 10.0 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the Watanabe A seal in the right margin, indicating a first edition.
Condition: Very good. The margins have been repaired by a conservator. The verso is toned.
Japanese print of a seated Buddha by the artist Shiko Munakata (1903-1975). A member of the sosaku-hanga movement and the mingei folk arts movement in Japan. As a young artist, Munakata was influenced by Vincent Van Gogh and studied oil painting. Later he was inspired by Buddhist religious imagery which became the main subject matter of many of his prints...
Japanese print entitled "Last Supper" by Sadao Watanbe. Sadao Watanabe (1913-1996) was part of the Mingi (folk art) movement in Japan which involved the use of natural materials. Watanabe's early boyhood job as a textile dyer has influence his work greatly. He used organic mineral pigments with a soybean milk binder (katazome) on hand crumpled paper (momigami). Watanabe's upbringing as a Christian is the main influence of his subject matter...
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.
Elizabeth Keith (1887-1956)
Shopping at the Chang Men, 1925
(aka. Outside Chang Man Gate, Peking)
Size: Oban. Approximately 16.0 x 11.5 inches.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo.
Condition: Excellent with small surface spot at left edge. On verso, paper remnants at top corners. Title noted in pencil on back.
Beautiful woodblock entitled Horse in Armor and Butterfly by Tadashi Nakayama, many colors, made with many carved blocks and colors, silver and gold leaf, image of a standing horse head turned toward a butterfly, signed and dated 1972, print no. 28 of 75.
Size of art only: 33 1/4" high x 21 1/2" wide. Size of paper: 40" high x 27 1/2" wide.
Magnificent woodblock print of a running horse by Tadashi Nakayama, many colors, made with many carved blocks and colors, silver and gold leaf, image of a horse running through a field of poppies, untitled horse, print no. 47 of 75, signed and dated 1974.
Size of art only: 30 1/4" high x 21 1/2" wide. Size of paper: 38" high x 27 1/2" wide.
Kawase Hasui
Hida Kamagatake
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.5 x 10.5 inches.
Date: 1933. This is a lifetime edition published between 1946 and 1957.
Publisher: Watanabe Shozaburo. Bears the red 6mm seal.
Condition: Very good. The tonal difference at the lower right corner appears to be an impression flaw, rather than a matte line.
A rarely seen Hasui image.
Hiroshi Yoshida
Three Little Islands, 1930.
Bears the jizuri seal in the upper left margin, indicating self-printing by the artist. Also signed in pencil.
Size: Oban. Approximately 15.50 x 10.25 inches.
Condition: Excellent.