Catalog: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Woodblock Prints (49)

Japanese antique wood block print of the sumo wrestler, Unryū Kyūkichi (Unryū Hisakichi) with beard and wearing a keshō-mawashi (ceremonial apron-style belt). Unryū Kyūkichi was in the makuuchi league since 1852. Name used from 1850-1865. He retired in 1865. Signed by Kōchōrō Toyokuni ga and date seal between 1851-1853. Framed print.

Age: Edo Period

Dimensions: Framed 19" high x 14 1/2" wide. Image: 13 1/2" high x 9 1/8" wide

Japanese antique wood block print of the sumo wrestler, Tsuneyama Gorojin wearing keshō-mawashi (ceremonial apron-style belt). Gorojin was in the Makuuchi league since 1843. Name used from 1842-1856. He retired in 1859. Print by Kuniyoshi Utagawa and dated 1852 (year of the Rat) or 1853 (year of the Ox). Framed print.

Age: Edo Period

Dimensions: 20" high x 15" wide (framed). Image: 14 1/4" high x 9 3/8" wide

Antique Japanese surimono woodblock print by Hokkei (1780-1850) entitled "The Chomonju - Snake and Melons". A snake entwined with a tray of melons. The poem above speaks of how the snake will become a dragon which will make clouds of white cherry blossoms in the mountains. Snakes and dragons are closely associated with water. The poems alludes to a wish for rain and the blossoming of Spring.

Dimensions: Unframed: 21.2 cm x 17.7 cm. Framed: 15 1/4" x 15 1/4"

Antique woodblock print triptych by Toyohara Kunichika entitled "Kabuki Drama of Mount Bandai Eruption with Magic Lantern Slides", dated September 1888. In this scene, the Kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro V hangs on to the breaking pieces of a house as the ground shifts and lightening cracks. Two months prior to this famous performance, the volcano Mt. Bandai erupted causing massive destruction and loss of life in Fukushima Prefecture. The play was originally set at Mt...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden...

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. This print from his famous Suikoden Series depicts one of "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden". Based on the Chinese semi-historical novel, the Suikoken prints depict the adventures of the 108 rebels who sought refuge in the area of Liangshan Marsh. These rebel heroes, also brigands and bandits, were compelled to protect the poor and downtrodden...

Antique Japanese woodblock print, framed oban diptych entitled "The Story of the Strong Woman Takashima Oiko of Omi Provence" from the series "A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures" by Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). In the scene, the strong-woman, Takashima Oiko leads Saeki Urinaga, the sumo wrestler home in order to strengthen him for an up coming match. Printer: Tsunajima Kamekichi.

Age: 1889

Dimensions: diptych print: 14" high x 19" wide...

Antique Japanese woodblock triptych print of a large samurai battle scene by the artist, Yoshitora Utagawa. Active during the late 19th century, Yoshitora Utagawa was best known for his dynamic battle scenes as well as prints of samurai, firemen, kabuki actors, beautiful women and foreigners. He was born in Edo but the exact year of his birth and death are unknown. He studied with the great print artist, Kuniyoshi Utagawa but later left his school and changed his name to Mosai...

Antique Japanese framed abstract print, signed Takeshi Hara (1942-present) in pencil, number 36/60, titled "Strokes 74-1". Hara was born in Nagoya, Japan in 1942 and graduated the Oil Painting Dept. of Tokyo National University of Fine Arts in 1967. He later went on to become a professor in the Dept. of Painting at Tokyo Zokei University until he retired in 2008...

Japanese woodblock print of two beautiful ladies at the ocean, with a basket full of shells they've collected. With calligraphy in right margin.

Size: 7.25" W x 9.5" H (artwork only)

Japanese woodblock print of a beautifully poised geisha, holding a paintbrush in her hand. Signed and titled in right margin.

Size: 8.25" W x 12.5" H

Japanese framed woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) of an Oban Tate-E size and format (common sizing / vertically printed), from the series Gujusan Tsugi Meisho Zue. Signature and seal in bottom left with calligraphy seals. Imagery of far off boats heading into shore.

Size: (entire frame) 16.75" L x 20.75" H (artwork only) 9.5" L x 15" H

Japanese framed woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) of an Oban Tate-E size and format (common sizing / vertically printed), from the series Gujusan Tsugi Meisho Zue. Signature and seal in bottom left with calligraphy seals. Bright coloration in blue tones.

Size: (entire frame) 16.75" L x 20.75" H (artwork only) 9.5" L x 15" H

An Unusual framed Five Plate series of woodblock prints creating a large image (called a pentaptych). Original piece by one of the most famous Ukiyo-e woodblock artists, Utagawa Kunisada / Toyokuni III (1786-1865), with depiction of a large scene of men paddling boats with geishas and courtesans across a wide body of water to a far-off island. Calligraphy seals and signatures appear consistently throughout the image. Mounted in a large glass frame...

Antique Japanese framed woodblock print of the Sumida River, with waterfowl and boats, in a circular panel over a red background with clouds and overhead text. This print is of the Surimono subgenre, meaning they were produced in very small numbers for private circles and thus are much rarer to come across. Professionally framed. Signature of artist Hayashi Tei, 19th century Edo Period (1615-1912). Size: (entire frame) 16.5" H x 15.75" W (artwork only) 8.5" H x 7.5" W

Antique Japanese woodblock print in the Surimono subcategory of woodblocks, meaning they were produced in very small numbers for private circles and thus are much rarer to come across. Depicted is a court woman in elaborate dress, who appears to be sewing or tying the fabric in her hands, and a small window of text behind her...

Antique Japanese woodblock print of Ishiyakushi in Tokaido, Japan. Side has authentic artist censer seal by Hiroshige (1997-1858), and publisher's mark. Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese: 歌川 広重), also Andō Hiroshige (Japanese: 安藤 広重; 1797 – 12 October 1858) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, considered the last great master of that tradition. Size: 13.5" H, 9.5" W

Antique Japanese painting of a Goju-no-to, five storied pagoda of the typical Japanese Buddhist temple. The pagoda is decorated using Kanji with a repeated sutra and other passages. Horin, the nine rings atop the pagoda are each a symbol. It measures 21.25" by 10.13". Some signs of age. Painted in sumi ink on paper. Meiji period 1868-1912.

Antique Japanese woodblock print of Court Ladies Sewing Western Clothing...

Antique Japanese woodblock print of a sumo wrestler of the Utagawa Kuniyoshi studio. Kuniyoshi was a pupil of the master Utagawa Toyokuni. He is part of the Ukiyo-e tradition of print making. His works are noteworthy for their use of color and patterns. He developed a style for portraits of kabuki actors and warriors with an emphasis on omens, dreams, apparitions, and extraordinary feats. This print depicts a sumo wrestler wearing a ceremonial kesho-mawashi, heavily embroidered covering that ope...

Antique Japanese framed triptych (series of three) woodblock prints, signed by Utagawa Kunisada/ Toyokuni III (1786-1865). Size: (entire frame) 34.75" length, 19.75" height (each print only) 9" width, 14" height

Antique Japanese framed woodblock print by artist Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900). Print is numbered 18 in the series "Genji 54 Scenes". Artist's signature and seal in corner, titled, with publisher's name and address. Meiji period circa 1884. Size: (entire frame) 21" height, 16.5" width (print only) 14" height, 9" width

Antique Japanese book of 34 various woodblock prints. Each page vividly depicts a story, with bright color and exciting subjects. The outside is covered in brick red fabric with flowers. Size: 13.5" x 9" x .75"

Antique Japanese book of 24 delightful woodblock prints, all with beautiful ladies in kimonos in various court scenes. The book can be read front or backwards and is covered by woven blue fabric with orange flowers. Most likely a gallery collection from the meiji period. Size : 9.5" x 7" x 1"

Japanese Sadao Watanabe (1913 - 1996) print of the Three Saints. Attractive red background highlighting the three saints with birds sitting atop a terrace. Print # 10/70 in 1971. Print on Paper 1971 Dimensions: 27 1/2" High X 23 1/2" Wide

Japanese antique wood block print entitled "The Cry of the Fox" from the series "One Hundred Aspects of the Moon", by Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). signed Yoshitoshi with artist's seal Yoshitoshi, engraver's mark Enkatsu, and published by Akiyama Buemon, 1886 Based on a kyogen drama, Konkai ('The Cry of the Fox'). Kyogen were short, humorous interludes staged between acts of a No play. In this story, a hunter is visited by his uncle, the priest Hakuzosu, who lectures his nephew on the e...

Japanese woodblock print by shin-hanga artist Kawase Hasui (1883-1957) titled "Rainy Yasuniwa, Nagano Prefecture", Hotei #480. Titled and signed, with 6mm cartouche in bottom right corner. Framed. Size: (entire frame) 15" height, 20.25" width (artwork only) 10" height, 14" width

Japanese woodblock print by Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) titled "Fujiyama from Miho", signed in pencil, with stamp and printed title. Size: 10.5" height, 15.75" width

Antique Japanese woodblock print by the famous woodblock artist Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), best known for his print titled 'The Giant Wave off Kanagawa'. This print depicts a small boy riding the back of an ox. Certified original by publisher T. Sakai est. 1874. Size: 7" height, 5" width

Japanese woodblock print by renowned woodblock artist Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) , depicting a young giant Mushashibo Benkei, nicknamed Onikawa, crouched over a pool of water, waiting to attack the giant carp he discovered had eaten his mother. From the '36 Ghosts' series. Size: 14" height, 9.25" width

Antique Japanese triptych woodblock print, meaning it is comprised of three separate sheets, depicting Akechi Mitsuhide in the final battle of Yamazaki in 1582. He is shown seated upon his horse, which has been shot dead with arrows, clutching his sword and gazing over the river at the approaching enemy forces in the distance. Four of his own soldiers are seen scattered around, either dead or dying, soaked in blood, suffering traumatic injury. The bloody scene is done by renowned ukiyo-e artist ...

Antique Japanese print depicting the founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism, Kūkai (774-835). He was a famous calligrapher and engineer who invented the kana, syllabic Japanese scripts used in the Japanese writing system. He sits holding prayer beads upon an elaborate lotus throne with lovely gold filligree and a small blue beast sitting below. Kukai has two female attendants at his sides riding upon billowing, heavenly winds, one with her hands clasped in prayer, and one...

Beautiful, original woodblock print by ukiyo-e woodblock artist Utagawa Kunisada, also known as Toyokuni III (1786–1864). It is #22 in a series called Sono sugata Yukari no usushi-e, or "Stories of Reincarnated Beings". In the center of the print there is a young child, hunched forward as he eagerly listens to stories from an adult woman in a pink kimono with blue and grey sleeves, with a sheathed sword across her lap. A bowl of treats and a black lamp with flowers sits between them. Two young...

Antique Japanese print depicting the founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism, Kūkai (774-835). He was a famous calligrapher and engineer who invented the kana, syllabic Japanese scripts used in the Japanese writing system. In his hands he holds a vajra, a ritualistic weapon representing firmness of spirit and spiritual power, and prayer beads. Above him is Dainichi Nyorai, the central deity of the Shingon religion, surrounded by Bonji (single letter words derived from sansk...

Antique ukiyo-e style woodblock print by artist Utagawa Kunisada, also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III (1786-1865), of a samurai warrior blocking the strike of another warrior's sword with his own. He has very detailed undergarments in mesh-patterned blue with light pink flowers, a black and white robe with jagged designs and red trim with a blue obi, and a red headband, with his hair styled in a traditional chonmage. Set behind glass and framed, part of the 47 Ronin series "Stories of the Faithfu...