Yoshitaki Chuban Dyptych of Actors A Japanese woodblock print in dyptych format, measuring 14 x 10 ins., dating to the late 19th - early 20th century.</b> The print shows two actors in kimono from a kabuki play. The prints bear the signature of Yoshitaki, one of the most prolific artists of the Osaka school in the 1880-90s.. The prints are in fine and original condition.
 

Original Hokusai Manga of Men and Fox c. 1830 An original Japanese, Edo period, woodblock print by the great master Katsushika Hokusai, from his manga series ( or “Scenes from life”), of a men and animals, including a fox, done in black, gray and red on two pages measuring 10 X 7 ins., dating to the 1830’s.</b> The prints are neither mounted nor backed. The register and sumo clarity is excellent. There are some wormholes, but fortunately most of these are in the inner margins and can be covered with matting. A beautiful example of the master’s work.
 

Yoshitoshi Tryptych of SinoJapanese War A fabulous Japanese woodblock tryptych of a scene from the SinoJapanese War, bearing the signature in the block of the artist, YOSHITOSHI, dating to the late 19th century. Yoshitoshi died in 1892 and the First SinoJapanese War for control of Korea was fought in 1894-95. So, this couldn't be an original print by Yoshitoshi. The date of the print appears to be Meiji 27, or 1895, so it fits with the timeframe for the war. This may have been one of Yoshitoshi's pupils or the printer may simply have continued to use his seal in the blocks. The print shows Chinese and Japanese soldiers in hand to hand combat. Each print is in vertical oban format. They are joined at the edges to form the tryptych. The register and colors of the print are excellent. There is foxing of the upper and left borders that will be hidden by a mat.
 

Russo-Japanese War Woodblock Tryptych - Gekko <p><b>A Japanese woodblock print of hand-to-hand combat on the ramparts over Port Arthur, entitled: The Fall of Port Arthur, dating to the late 1890’s.</b> This print shows the Japanese attack on the Russian Port Arthur that was the beginning of Japanese aggresion in Asia that ended in the defeat in 1945. It was created by GEKKO, a woodblock print artist of the period known also for his familty scenes. Prints such as these were published as propaganda to align the people with the controlling government powers and the military aspirations of Tojo. It is in fine and original condition in three sections with no backing.
 

Meiji Era Osaka School Woodblock Print <p><b>A fine Japanese woodblock print of the Osaka school of an actor, in chuban format, measuring 7 1/2 X 10 ins., dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The print shows an actor in kimono that has a fabulous lobster design on the back. The bowtie obi is very unusual. The kimono is accented with gold lacquer and mica, a technique used only in the finest prints. The print is in mint and original condition. It is signed in the block by the artist.
 

Kunisada Actors Woodblock Print <p><b>An early woodblock print by Kunisada of three actors in kimono, dating to the mid-19th century.</b> The print is done in the early style of black, blue and red colors that dates it to the mid 1800's. It is framed with a patterned wood mat that appears to be from sometime in the 1950's. I have not removed it from the frame, so I can't tell if it is backed or if the margins are intact. Thus, the low price for an early Kunisdada that appears to be in excellent condition.
 

Konan Tanagami Aster Print <p><b>A Japanese woodblock print by Konan Tanagami (1879-1928) of Asters, from his Western Flower Book, Summer Vol. I, pulblished by Yamada Joichi, this series printed in January, 1979.</b> The print is in horizontal oban format with a center fold from the book. It is in excellent condition.
 

Geisha Chromolithograph <p><b>An excellent 19th century chromolithograph with seven, separate views of geisha in a variety of activities and dress, including depictions of the young ladies in various stages of preparation for their nightly activities and entertaining their guests both with music and in the bedroom. </b> This work of art was published by the renowned French Bibliotheque Didot for the Parisian market, which craved any and all things Japanese, in the late 1800’s. The printed area measures approximately 8 1/2 X 12 ins. The overall dimensions are 11 X 15 ins. The lithographer’s name -- URABIETTA -- is shown on the lithograph. Chromolithograpy, which used a combination of finely-etched and colored stone printing blocks, was very popular in this time period. This piece shows the exquisite and fine detail that could be attained with this process. The left edge is slightly irregular, showing that this print was cut from a folio. A superb addition to the collection of those who seek Japanese art or for the collector of orientalia.
 

Kunisada Print Triptych <p><b>A magnificent Japanese woodblock print in triptych format by the 19th century master Utagawa Toyokuni III or Kunisada.</b> The print shows a procession of courtesans viewing cherry blossoms in the Spring. It has Kunisada’s signature in the block in the left lower corner as well as censor’s and publisher’s seals that date the print to ca.1859-71. The three prints are in vertical oban format measuring approximately 14 X 10 ins. The print colors and registration are excellent. There is some wrinkling of the print in the left corner. The prints have not been laid down. This is a superb, museum quality triptych that typically sells in Japan in the $500-1200 range.