Utamaro 喜多川歌麿, Harunobu 鈴木春信, Kiyonaga 鳥居清長, Eishi 鳥文斎栄之, Choki 栄松齋長喜 et al, artists

[Collection of 35 Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints]

Item #91052

[Collection of 35 Ukiyo-e Woodblock Prints]

Utamaro 喜多川歌麿, Harunobu 鈴木春信, Kiyonaga 鳥居清長, Eishi 鳥文斎栄之, Choki 栄松齋長喜 et al, artists

Edo Period

A large tied navy blue cloth portfolio 52 x 38cm with 35 ukiyo-e prints ranging from approx 39 x 26cm to approx 29.5 x 21.5cm tipped into framed paper mats - Adachi mats are approx 50.5 x 36cm and Takamizawa mats are approx 48 x 33.5cm.

Classic ukiyo-e hanga printed by Adachi and Takamizawa after the War: 18 have Adachi labels on the mats; 11 have red Takamizawa hanko (Takamizawa-han 高見澤版) on the rear of the prints; the remaining 6 others are without marks but most likely fromTakamizawa. All of the prints have the artists’ names and hanko. The prints were likely not issued as a collection but are being sold as a group.

The rear of 18 mats have a small printed label with the name and address of the Adachi Institute of Woodcut Prints アダチ版画研究所 in English and Japanese. Above that is a typed label with the name of the artist in Roman script and the title in English (with some in Roman script as well). The mats with the Adachi label open to the left, Japanese style, while the others open to the right, Western style. Artists named are Utamaro Kitagawa (喜多川歌麿 1753-1806), Harunobu (Suzuki Harunobu 鈴木春信 1725-1770), Kiyonaga (Torii Kiyonaga 鳥居清長 1752-1815), Eishi (Chōbunsai Eishi 鳥文斎栄之 1756-1829) and Choki (Eishōsai Chōki 栄松齋長喜 active 1760s-early 1800s), who was known for his use of mica in the background of a few of his prints, like the one here. The Takamizawa prints feature many of the same artists.

A small label on the front of the portfolio has details of the contents handwritten in English. A few have areas of fading, 1 has a crease on the right edge, the mat of 1 is starting, otherwise very good condition. Very good impressions, some embossed (karazuri 空摺) and some with metallic pigment. Lovely, evocative prints in striking colors by two of the most respected traditional woodblock printing houses of the day.

Price: $1,250.00