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.

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...

Gorgeous woodblock print by shin-hanga artist Hiroshi Yoshida (1876-1950) titled "Plum Gateway". In the foreground is a small girl wearing a kimono, standing next to a tree with long, spindly branches and flower blossoms, gazing into the background at her mother and young sibling standing under a gateway. Signed and stamped. Size: (entire frame) 20.75" height, 15.75" width, (artwork) 14.25" height, 9" width

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a samurai warrior in a crouched pose, one sword on his hip and one in his hands. He wears a blue and red kimono and he has a traditional chonmage hairstyle. Framed behind glass. The back of the frame lists artist Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1864). Size: (entire frame) 21.75" height, 17.25" width (artwork only) 14.25" height, 9" width

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a man wearing a white kimono with designs of black bamboo shoots, a black apron, and black lacquered geta (footwear). Artist Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1905), pupil to Kunisada. Set behind glass in a large frame, with artist and publishing information written on back. Size: (entire frame) 22.5" height, 17" width, (artwork only) 14" height, 9" width

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of an anxious person in a brown checkered kimono, with light blue trim and obi with black flowers, assisting a rather bored looking woman in a gorgeous, long black kimono with pink and blue blows, blue trim, and a pink under kimono and obi. By artist Ichiyosai Toyokuni Okada. Size: (entire frame) 21.5" height, 17" width (artwork only) 14.75" height, 9.5" width

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a woman in a blue checkered kimono, standing with her back to her front doors and a beautiful mountainous scene behind her. By artist Kunisada, signed under his assumed name Toyokuni II. Set behind glass in a large frame. Back of frame states "censor's seal between 1859 and 1874". Size: (entire frame) 22" height, 17" width (artwork only) 14.25" height, 9.5" width

Japanese bronze cast in imitation of a Chinese zun form ritual wine beaker. The archaistic style ritual vessel appears to have been cast in three sections, each of which is divided by vertical openwork flanges into four panels of relief cast and carved decoration. The flared trumpet-shaped neck holds bands of upright blades containing flowering plants. The mid-section is cast in relief with four Buddhist shishi set against a geometric ground...

A spectacular Oni Karatsu Vase by Inoue Toya of the Kyozan Kiln enclosed in the original signed wooden box. It is 10 inches (25 cm) tall 6 inches (16 cm) diameter and in excellent condition.
Inoue Toya (1942-2013), graduated the prestigious Nihon Daigaku in 1966, having spent his student years excavating ancient Karatsu shards and researching their techniques. He apprenticed under the multifaceted potter Nushi Ensai. In 1969 he opened his own kiln...

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

Antique ukiyo-e woodblock print of a woman with a look of frustration on her face, wearing a black kimono, decorated with light pink and blue sakura blossoms, and a salmon pink under robe. Behind her are several cottages with trees and mountains, and stylized signatures in the top right corner and middle left side. Ukiyo-e is a genre of woodblock print that was popular during the 17-19th centuries in Japan...

Original antique painting by artist "Old Tosa" of a late scene from the Japanese fable "Hachikatsugi Hime" or "The Princess with the Magic Bowl". The tale tells of a princess, daughter of a Samurai warrior, whose mother placed a wooden bowl upon her head before passing away. She could not remove the bowl and faced ridicule from the local children. She ran away from home and eventually found love and acceptance...

Original antique painting by artist "Old Tosa" of an early scene from the Japanese fable "Hachikatsugi Hime" or "The Princess with the Magic Bowl". The tale tells of a princess, daughter of a Samurai warrior, whose mother placed a wooden bowl upon her head before passing away. She could not remove the bowl and faced ridicule from the local children. She ran away from home and eventually found love and acceptance...

Abstract print by well-known Japanese print artist Masao Ohba (born 1928). He won first prize in 1998 at the 17th Biennale of Contemporary Ex Libris in Malbork, Poland. His work is colorful with interesting textures. This particular print almost appears to be an abstract take on the Japanese flag, with interesting shapes and flecking of red, yellow, and blue peeking through black sections. circa 1950s, signed and marked "87/150" Size: 7" height, 10.5" width

Japanese original print of two women and a young child by the artist Yoshitoshi Mori (1898-1992). He studied at the Kawabata School of Fine Arts. He was a member of the mingie folk crafts movement working in textile stencil dyeing. In the 1950's Yoshitoshi Mori started print making using a technique called kappazuri stencil. He became a key member of the sosaku hanga movement...

Silk obi with a grey-green background and gold thread cherry blossoms in honeycomb patterns. It features several images of two cranes with crossed beaks and wingtips touching, one with green, navy and orange feather and the other with yellow and blue feathers beside the branch of a pine tree and bright red, orange, and white flowers. Taisho period (1912-1925) Size: 168" length, 12.75" width

Gorgeous golden silk obi with gold thread edging, decorated with irises made from blue, red, white, and gold dotted stitching. Meiji period (1867-1912) Size: 158" length, 12" 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...