/Collection
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    Utagawa Kuniyoshi. A woman on a terrace dancing with a fan, from the series Collection of charming music (Enkyoku zoroi) / Fan print, 1853.

    Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi [歌川 國芳] (Japanese, 1798 – 1861) Publisher: British Museum provides for the title as Enkyoku-zoroi [艶曲揃] (Set of Voluptuous Melodies) and the publisher as Sanpei. Indeed, 三平 (Sanpei) was a wholesale fan shop at the end of the Edo period. However, Andreas Marks identifies the publisher’s seal as 三平 Mihei = Mikawaya Heiroku (1848-56), a member of the Fan Producing Guild (AM 11-016|325a). Block carver: Hori Take [彫竹]

    Signed: Ichiyosai Kuniyoshi ga in a red cartouche and sealed with paulownia (kiri mon).

    Date seal and double nanushi censor seals: Fuku & Muramatsu, 1853 (Kaei 6, 2nd month).

    Size: Uchiwa-e (untrimmed fan print) 229 x 294 mm.

    Provenance: The Collection of Paul F. Walter, Christie's, New York, 2017, lot 338; sold together with 10 other fan prints for $27,500. Before: Christie's, New York, 1994, lot 145 ($4,830). Ref: [LIB-1693.2018] The Collection of Paul Walter. — NY: Christie's, 2017, p. 361. Ref: Israel Goldman, Catalogue 2018, № 41: "Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) A Woman on a Terrace Dancing with a Fan. From the series Enkyoku zoroi (Collection of Charming Music). 1853. Fan print. 22.9 x 29.4 cm. Provenance: Japanese Prints, Paintings and Screens, Christie's, New York, 1994, lot 145 ($4,830); The Collection of Paul F. Walter, Christie's, New York, 2017, lot 338. Fine impress." Known prints in this series:

    SVJP-0251.2018
     
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  • Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Benzaiten Shrine at Honjō Block One / Fan print, 1840.

    Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Kunisada ga [国貞画] in a red double-gourd cartouche. Publisher: Iseya Sōemon [伊勢屋惣右衛門] (Japanese, c. 1776 – 1862). Date seal and kiwame censor seal: 1840 (Tenpō 11). Media: Untrimmed fan print (uchiwa-e), 227 x 293 mm. Title: Benzaiten Shrine at Honjō Block One [ひとつ目乃弁天] (Hitotsume no Benten). Provenance: The Collection of Paul F. Walter, Christie's, New York, 2017, lot 341; sold together with 5 other fan prints for $25,000. Before: Christie's, New York, 1997, lot 93 ($5,520). Ref: [LIB-1693.2018] The Collection of Paul Walter. — NY: Christie's, 2017, p. 363. Ref: Israel Goldman, Catalogue 2018, № 31: "Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) A Woman Reading a Letter by the Light of a Lantern. Hitotsume no Benten (One-eyed Benten). 1840. Fan print. Provenance: Japanese Prints, Paintings and Screens, Christie's, New York, 1997, lot 93 ($5,520), The Collection of Paul F. Walter, Christie's, New York, 2017, lot 341. Fine impression and colour. Expertly restored wormholes in the lower margin." Markus Sesko comment regarding the series title: "Some time between in the latter half of the 17th century, blind acupuncturist Sugiyama Waichi (1614–1694) cured a neurotic disease afflicting Shōgun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Tsunayoshi asked Sugiyama what he would like as a reward, he answered that all that he would really desire was just one functioning eye. Now here we arrive at a wordplay. “One eye,” as you know, is Hitotsu-me in Japanese. As Tsunayoshi obviously could not reward Sugiyama with an eye, he gave him the entire first block of the Honjō neighbourhood in Edo, measuring about 1.2 ha. So, Honjō Block One is Honjō Hitotsu-me in Japanese as me not only means “eye,” but also “number.” Sugiyama moved there, but as he was praying to Benzaiten enshrined in the Enoshima-jinja southwest of Kamakura, Tsunayoshi gave Sugiyama permission to erect a small shrine on his new premises that was then dedicated to Benzaiten as well. To spare the old blind man the long trip so to speak. This shrine was named Honjō Hitotsu-me Benzaiten Shrine, short Hitotsu-me Benten, meaning the “Benzaiten Shrine at Honjō Block One.” That is, the label in the print refers to this context, i.e., location, not to a one-eyed Benzaiten. Sugiyama also had some rock formations of the “original” Benzaiten Shrine at Enoshima copied at his place, which was named Iwaya (い王や) (see picture attached). The lantern the woman is holding in the print is inscribed “Imuya” (い無や). Usually, the character mu (無) is not read wa in replacing a syllable, so maybe Imuya can be attributed to artistic freedom on part of Utagawa Kunisada, referring to the local Iwaya garden?"
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  • Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Book of an incoming ship, from the series ‘Comparison of Eight Books of Proficiency and Eloquence’ / Fan print, 1856.

    Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Block cutter: Yokokawa Takejirō [横川竹二郎] (Japanese, fl. 1845 – 1863), seal Hori Take [彫竹]. Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. C. 1845 – 1847). Title: Book of an incoming ship [入船帳] (Irifune-chō). Series: Comparison of Eight Books of Proficiency and Eloquence [口も手も美立八帳] (Kuchimo temo mitate hatchō). Date seal and aratame censor seal: 1856 (Ansei 3). Signed: Toyokuni ga in toshidama cartouche. Media: Untrimmed fan print (uchiwa-e), 231 x 300 mm. Provenance: The Collection of Paul F. Walter, Christie's, New York, 2017, lot 341; sold together with 5 other fan prints for $25,000. Before: Israel Goldman, Japanese Prints, Catalogue 11, 2005, no. 37. Ref: [LIB-1693.2018] The Collection of Paul Walter. — NY: Christie's, 2017, p. 363. Ref: Israel Goldman, Catalogue 2018, № 51: "Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) A Beauty Seated in a Boat. From the series Mitate hatcho (A Parody of Eight Books). 1856. Fan print. 23.3 x 30 cm. Provenance: Israel Goldman, Japanese Prints, Catalogue 11, 2005, no. 37, The Collection of Paul F. Walter, Christie's, New York, 2017, lot 341. Fine impression, colour and condition. The title contains the saying: “Kuchi mo hatcho te mo hatcho (As quick with one’s hand as one’s tongue)." Special thanks to Horst Graebner for the detailed description.
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  • Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III .

    Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Edo Murasaki – Fake Murasaki’s Rustic Genji / Fan print, 1853.

    Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞]; a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国 画] in a yellow toshidama cartouche. Publisher: Unknown, seal [久] Kyū (Japanese, fl. c. 1851 – 1861); (Marks 07-023 | U176a, possibly Sagamia Kyūzō). Date seal and double nanushi censor seals: Fuku & Muramatsu, Kaei 6, 2nd month (2/1853). Inscription in a red cartouche: (Purple of Edo // Purple of the Bay Capital) [江都むらさき] (Edo Murasaki), alluding to Murasaki Shikibu [紫 式部] (Japanese, c. 973/8 – c. 1014/31), the author of Genji Monogatari [源氏物語] (The Tale of Genji), a Heian period novel which was the source of a parody Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji [偐紫田舎源氏] (Fake Murasaki’s Rustic Genji) by Ryutei Tanehiko [柳亭種彦] (Japanese, 1783 – 1842). According to Horst Graebner: The actor is most probably Onoe Baikō IV [四代目尾上菊五郞] Onoe Kikugorō IV [四代目 尾上菊五郎] (Japanese, 1808 – 1860); other names: Onoe Baikō IV, Onoe Eizaburō III, Onoe Kikue, Nakamura Tatsuzō, Nakamura Kachō. One of the series of Kunisada's fan prints in this collection:
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  • Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III .

    Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Edo Murasaki – Fake Murasaki’s Rustic Genji / Fan print, 1853.

    Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞]; a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国 画] in a yellow toshidama cartouche. Publisher: Unknown, seal [久] Kyū (Japanese, fl. c. 1851 – 1861); (Marks 07-023 | U176a, possibly Sagamia Kyūzō). Date seal and double nanushi censor seals: Fuku & Muramatsu, Kaei 6, 2nd month (2/1853). Inscription in a red cartouche: Purple of Edo // Purple of the Bay Capital [江都むらさき] (Edo Murasaki), alluding to Murasaki Shikibu [紫 式部] (Japanese, c. 973/8 – c. 1014/31), the author of Genji Monogatari [源氏物語] (The Tale of Genji), a Heian period novel which was the source of a parody Nise Murasaki Inaka Genji [偐紫田舎源氏] (Fake Murasaki’s Rustic Genji) by Ryutei Tanehiko [柳亭種彦] (Japanese, 1783 – 1842). According to Horst Graebner: The actor is most probably Iwai Kumesaburō III. Iwai Hanshirō VIII [岩井半四郎] (Japanese, 1829 – 1882); other names: Iwai Shijaku II, Iwai Kumesaburō III [岩井粂三郎], Iwai Hisajirō II. One of the series of Kunisada's fan prints in this collection:
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  • Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III .

    Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Three good fortunes of the present day / Fan print, 1856.

    Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞]; a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Signed: Toyokuni ga [豊国 画] in a red toshidama cartouche. Publisher: Mikawaya Heiroku [三川屋平六] (Japanese, fl. c. 1848 – 1856); seal: Mihei [三平] (Marks 11-016 | 325a) Block carver: Yokokawa Takejirō [横川竹二郎] (Japanese, fl. 1845 – 1863), seal: 彫竹 – Hori Take. Date seal and aratame censor seal: [辰正] Ansei 3, 1st month (1856). Inscriptions: Right cartouche: Three good fortunes of the present day [当世三福対] (Tosei sambuku tsui) Center cartouche: Ubuge no Kintaro [産毛の金太郎] (うぶげのきんたろう)  According to Horst Graebner, the play is Tomigaoka koi no Yamabiraki (or Tomioka Koi no Yamabiraki [富岡戀山開], according to kabuki21.com, common title Ninin Shinbē [二人新兵衛]); Kintarō might be Nakamura Fukusuke I [中村福助], the female role might be Mikuni Kojorō [三国小女郎] (or Mikuni no Kojorō). Nakamura Shikan IV [中村芝翫] (Japanese, 1831 –  1899); other names: Nakamura Fukusuke I, Nakamura Masanosuke I, Nakamura Komasaburō, Nakamura Tamatarō I.
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  • Rosina Buckland. Shunga: Erotic art in Japan. — London: The British Museum Press, 2010.

    A hardcover pictorial album, 25 x 25.5 cm, bound in black buckram with silver lettering to spine, in pictorial dust jacket; pp.: [1-6] 7-175 [176 blank], total 88 leaves, illustrated in colour throughout. Title-page: Shunga | EROTIC ART | IN JAPAN | ROSINA BUCKLAND | THE BRITISH MUSEUM PRESS || Subject: Art, Japanese – Edo period, 1600-1868; Erotic art – Japan; Prints, Japanese – History. Contributor: Rosina Buckland (British, b. 1974)
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  • Gian Carlo Calza, Stefania Piotti. Poem of the pillow and other stories by Utamaro, Hokusai, Kuniyoshi and other artists of the floating world. — London; New York: Phaidon Press, 2010.

    A pictorial album with almost no information (coffee-table book), hardcover, 28 x 21 x 4.8 cm, in pictorial paper boards, lettered all over, in transparent plastic dust jacket; pp.: [1-5] 6-463 [464 colophon], total 232 leaves, illustrated in colour throughout. Title-page: Poem of the Pillow and other stories | by Utamaro, Hokusai, Kuniyoshi | and other artists of the Floating World | Gian Carlo Calza | In collaboration with Stefania Piotti | {publisher’s device “Φ” in the bottom} || Contributors: Gian Carlo Calza (Italian, b. 1940); Stefania Piotti (Italian).
    "Poem of the Pillow and Other Stories examines the artistic developments of Japanese erotic art from the ukiyo-e period, dating from the mid-seventeenth century to the end of the nineteenth century. Known by the delicate euphemism of Shunga or 'spring images', these pictures were hugely popular and admired, and are today highly collectable works of art. This book illustrates major Shunga works from important ukiyo-e masters such as Utamaro, Hokusai, Harunobu, Kunisada, Kuniyoshi and many others. World-renowned scholar Gian Carlo Calza defines these fascinating erotic works in their social, historical and artistic context, providing a broad overview of a subject that is extremely nuanced and intriguing. Beautifully illustrated with over 300 images, including woodblock prints, scrolls and paintings, this book is a perfect introduction to ukiyo-e erotic art."
    List of the artists: The Kanbun Master, Hishikawa Moronobu, Sugimura Jihei, Torii Kiyonobu I, Nishikawa Sukenobu, Miyagawa Chōshun, Okumura Masanobu, Tsukioka Settei, Suzuki Harunobu, Isoda Koryūsai, Katsukawa Shunshō, Katsukawa Shunchō, Kitao Masanobu, Torii Kiyonaga, Kitagawa Utamaro, Chōbunsai Eishi, Chōkyōsai Eiri, Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Toyokuni, Utagawa Kunisada, Kikugawa Eizan, Keisai Eisen, Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
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  • Suzuki Harunobu . Man sucking woman's breast and a cat sitting under a bonzai tree. 1770

    Suzuki Harunobu. Love interrupts the making of silk wadding, c. 1768.

    Artist (attributed, no signature): Suzuki Harunobu [鈴木 春信] (Japanese, c. 1725 – 1770). The title is taken from [LIB-1478.2013] Gian Carlo Calza, Stefania Piotti. Poem of the pillow and other stories. — Phaidon Press, 2010; pp. 148-9. Alternative title: Man sucking woman's breast and a cat sitting under a bonsai tree. The open book beside the couple reads 子春 (Koharu). Woodblock print from the series Mirror Picture of Japan (Wakoku kagami);  Size: Horizontal chuban; 21 x 26 cm.  
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  • Katsukawa Shunkō. Actor Matsumoto Kōshirō IV, late 18th century.

    Artist: Katsukawa Shunkō [勝川 春好] (Japanese, 1743 – 1812).

    Actor: Matsumoto Kōshirō IV [[松本幸四郎]; other names: Omegawa Kyōjūrō, Ichikawa Komazō II, Ichikawa Somegorô I, Ichikawa Takejūrō, Segawa Kinji, Segawa Kingo] (Japanese, 1737 – 1802).

    Signed: Shunkō ga. Size: Hosoban; 14 x 33 cm. SOLD
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  • Shunga: Sex and pleasure in Japanese art / Edited by Timothy Clark, et al. — London: British Museum Press; Amsterdam: Hotei Publishing, 2013.

    Hardcover volume, 29.6 x 25 x 4 cm, in red cloth with black lettering to spine, in pictorial dust jacket, profusely illustrated in colour; pp.: [1-6] 7-536, total 268 leaves and 2 folding plates extraneous to collation. Title-page: {Hotei's device} Hotei Publishing | Shunga | sex and pleasure in Japanese art | Edited by | Timothy Clark | C. Andrew Gerstle | Aki Ishigami | Akiki Yano || Contents: The Cultural Historical Significance and Importance of Japanese Shunga / Kobayashi Tadashi. Introduction: What Was Shunga? / C. Andrew Gerstle; Who Were the Audiences for Shunga? / Hayakawa Monta. (1) Early Shunga before 1765: Shunga Paintings before the `Floating World' / Akiko Yano; Chinese Chunhua and Japanese Shunga / Ishigami Aki; Shunga and the Rise of Print Culture / Asano Shugo. (2) Masterpieces of Shunga 1765-1850: The Essence of Ukiyo-e Shunga / Kobayashi Tadashi; Erotic Books as Luxury Goods / Ellis Tinios; Listening to the Voices in Shunga / Hayakawa Monta; The Tale of Genji in Shunga / Sato Satoru. (3) Censorship: Timeline of Censorship; Shunga and Censorship in the Edo Period (1600-1868) / Jennifer Preston; Graph of approximate output of shunga print series and books; The Censorship of Shunga in the Modern Era / Ishigami Aki; Shunga Studies in the Showa Era (1926-89) / Shirakura Yoshihiko. (4) Contexts for Shunga: Traditional Uses of Shunga / Yamamoto Yukari; The Distribution and Circulation of Erotic Prints and Books in the Edo Period Laura Moretti; Shunga and Parody / C. Andrew Gerstle; Popular Cults of Sex Organs in Japan / Suzuki Kenko; Grotesque Shunga / Ishigami Aki; Violence in Shunga / Higuchi Kazutaka; Foreign Connections in Shunga / Timon Screech; Children in Shunga / Akiko Yano; Shunga and the Floating World / Matsuba Ryoko. (5) Shunga in the Meiji Era: Erotic Art of the Meiji Era (1868-1912) / Rosina Buckland; The Modern West's Discovery of Shunga / Ricard Bru. Published to accompany the exhibition Shunga: sex and pleasure in Japanese art at the British Museum from 3 October 2013 to 5 January 2014. Abstract: This catalogue aims to answer some key questions about what is shunga and why it was produced. In particular, the social and cultural contexts for sex art in Japan are explored. Erotic Japanese art was heavily suppressed in Japan from the 1870s onwards as part of a process of cultural 'modernisation' that imported many contemporary western moral values. Only in the last twenty years or so has it been possible to publish unexpurgated examples in Japan and this landmark book places erotic Japanese art in its historical and cultural context for the first time. This book looks at painted and printed erotic images produced in Japan during the Edo period (1600-1868) and early Meiji era (1868-1912). These are related to the wider contexts of literature, theatre, the culture of the pleasure quarters, and urban consumerism; and interpreted in terms of their sensuality, reverence, humour and parody. Contributors: Timothy Clark (British, b. 1959) Timothy Clark (British, b. 1959) C. Andrew Gerstle (American, 1951) Aki Ishigami [石上阿希] (Japanese) Akiki Yano
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  • Chris Uhlenbeck, Margarita Winkel. Japanese erotic fantasies sexual imagery of the Edo period. — Amsterdam: Hotei Publishing, ©2005.

    Hardcover volume, 30 x 25.5 cm, in brown cloth with yellow lettering to front cover and spine, in pictorial dust jacket, profusely illustrated in colour; pp.: [1-5] 6-256, total 128 leaves. Title-page (red and black): Japanese | Erotic | Fantasies | Sexual | Imagery | of the | Edo Period | Chris Uhlenbeck and | Margarita Winkel | with contributions by | Ellis Tinios | Cecilia Segawa Seigle | Oikawa Shigeru | Editor Amy Reigle Newland | {publisher’s device} Hotei Publishing, Amsterdam || Contents: Preface by Chris Uhlenbeck; Acknowledgements by Chris Uhlenbeck & Margarita Winkel; Editorial Notes; Shunga: the Issues by Chris Uhlenbeck; The Setting for shunga: the Yoshiwara by Cecilia Segawa Seigle; Erotic Books in the Floating World of Urban Life by Margarita Winkel; The Catalogue ('The Primitives'; The Age of Harunobu, Kiyonaga and Utamaro; The Nineteenth Century; The Meiji Period and Beyond); Appendix: Japanese characters for book, print and series titles; Glossary; Bibliography; General Index; Artists' Index. This publication coincides with the Exhibition "Desire of Spring. Erotic Fantasies in Edo Japan" from 22 January to 17 April 2005 in the Kunsthal Rotterdam (Impressum). Literaturverzeichnis: Seiten 247-250. Contributors: Chris Uhlenbeck Margarita Winkel Ellis Tinios Cecilia Segawa Seigle Oikawa Shigeru Amy Reigle Newland In this collection:

    SVJP-0188.2015: Kitagawa Utamaro. Series of horizontal o-hosoban shunga prints, c. 1803.

     

    SVJP-0034.2014: Chōkyōsai Eiri. Neat version of a love letter (Fumi no kiyogaki), 1801.

     

    SVJP-0041.2013: Torii Kiyonaga. Handscroll for the sleeve (Sode no maki), c. 1785.

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  • Utagawa Kuniyoshi . Kabuki actors

    Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Okon’s Lover Fukuoka Mitsugi, from the series Mirror of Virtuous Women (Teijo misao kagami), 1843-7.

    Okon's Lover Fukuoka Mitsugi, from the series Mirror of Virtuous Women (Teijo misao kagami)「てい女　美作保鏡　おこん　福岡貢」. Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi [歌川 國芳] (Japanese, 1798 – 1861). Publisher: Kojimaya Jūbei [小嶋屋重兵衛] (Japanese, fl. c. 1797 – 1869). Year: 1843–47 (Tenpô 14–Kôka 4). Signed: 一勇斎国芳画 – Ichiyûsai Kuniyoshi ga. Censor's seal: Watari. Size: Vertical ôban; 36.8 x 25.6 cm Ref.: MFA № 11.16085.
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  • Kabuki plays on stage (3 volumes of 4) / Edited by James R. Brandon and Samuel L. Leiter. — Honolulu: University of Hawai’i Press, 2002.

    Three volumes, 26.2 x 18.6 cm each: Vol. 1: Kabuki plays on stage: Brilliance and Bravado, 1697-1766; pp.: [i-viii] ix-xiii [xiv blank], 1-391 [1 blank], total 203 leaves, ils. Blue buckram gilt-lettered on spine, pictorial DJ. Vol. 2: Kabuki plays on stage: Villainy and Vengeance, 1773-1799; pp.: [i-viii] ix-xiii [xiv blank], 1-413 [3 blank], total 215 leaves, ils. Green buckram gilt-lettered on spine, pictorial DJ. Vol. 3: Kabuki plays on stage: Darkness and Desire, 1804-1864; pp.: [i-viii] ix-xv [xvi blank], [1] 2-397 [3 blank], total 208 leaves, ils. Ochre buckram gilt-lettered on spine, pictorial DJ. (Vol. 4: Restoration and reform, 1872-1905 – absent for the reason of no interest in the covered period). Contributors: James Rodger Brandon (American, 1927 – 2015) Samuel L. Leiter (American, b. 1940)
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  • Samuel L. Leiter. Historical Dictionary of Japanese Traditional Theatre (Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts). / 2nd edition. – Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

    Samuel L. Leiter. Historical dictionary of Japanese traditional theatre (Historical dictionaries of literature and the arts) / 2nd edition. – Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2014.

    One volume 23.5 x 16 x 6 cm, with glossy pictorial boards lettered to front, back and spine; pp.: [i-viii] ix-xlviii 1-766, total 407 leaves, with b/w illustrations. Title-page: Historical Dictionary of | Japanese Traditional Theatre | Second Edition | Samuel L. Leiter | ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD | Lanham • Boulder • New York • London || ISBN: 9781442239104. Author: Samuel L. Leiter (American, b. 1940)
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  • Samuel L. Leiter. Kabuki Encyclopedia: An English-language adaptation of Kabuki Jiten. — Westport, CT; London: Greenwood Press, 1979.

    One volume 24.2 x 16.2 x 5.2 cm, in black cloth lettered in gilt to front cover and spine, pp.: i-vii] viii-xxxix [xl blank] [2] 3-572 [2], total 307 leaves, with b/w illustrations. Title-page: KABUKI | ENCYCLOPEDIA | An English-Language | Adaptation of | KABUKI JITEN | SAMUEL L. LEITER | {publisher’s device “GP”} | GREENWOOD PRESS | WESTPORT, CONNECTICUT • LONDON, ENGLAND || Author: Samuel L. Leiter (American, b. 1940)
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  • Shunkōsai Hokushū .

    Shunkōsai Hokushū. Bandō Mitsugorō III as Daihanji Kiyozumi and Arashi Koroku IV as Koganosuke, 1821.

    Bandō Mitsugorō III as Daihanji Kiyozumi and Arashi Koroku IV as Koganosuke in kabuki play Imoseyama, an example of womanly virtue (Imoseyama onna teikin). 大判事清澄 坂東三津五郎」（三代）・「久我之助 嵐小六」（四代） Artist: Shunkōsai Hokushū [春好斎北洲] (Japanese, fl. 1802 – 1832) Year: 1821 (3rd month). MFA description: “The Kabuki play Mount Imo and Mount Se: An Exemplary Tale of Womanly Virtue (Imoseyama onna teikin), originally based on a puppet play, is set in ancient Japan when the Soga clan served as regents to the emperor. Two children, Hinadori and Koganosuke, of rival court families, are held hostage under orders from the tyrant Soga no Iruka to ensure their families do not revolt. The children fall in love, but rather than create conflicts for their families they each vow to die by suicide. When the parents learn of their plans, they resolve to cooperate to overthrow Iruka. Here Koganosuke and his father Kiyozumi are shown; a companion sheet on the left would have shown Hinadori and her mother Sadaka.” The play Imoseyama, an example of womanly virtue (Imoseyama onna teikin), was staged at Osaka's Kado Shibai (Kadoza, Kado Gekijô, Kado no Shibai) from 3/1821. According to Herwig, it is the right sheet of a diptych (see below). MFA Accession number: 2011.128 Kabuki actors: Bandō Mitsugorō III [三代目 坂東 三津五郎] (Japanese, 1775 – 1831); other names: Bandō Minosuke I, Morita Kanjirô II, Bandō Mitahachi I, Bandō Minosuke I, Bandō Mitahachi I. Arashi Koroku IV [四代目嵐小六] (Japanese, 1783 – 1826)
    Ref.: [LIB-1197.2016] Arendie and Henk Herwig. Heroes of the kabuki stage: an introduction to kabuki with retellings of famous plays, illustrated by woodblock prints. — Amsterdam: Hotei Publishing, 2004; p. 72:
    Ref: [LIB-2973.2022] Ukiyo-e: A journey through the Floating World / Exhibition catalogue (Japan, Jan-Jul 2014). — The Yomiuri Shimbun, 2014; № 358, p. 226. "Bandō Mitsugorō III as Grand arbiter Kiyosumi and Arashi Koroku IV as Koganosuke":
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  • Arendie and Henk Herwig. Heroes of the kabuki stage: an introduction to kabuki with retellings of famous plays, illustrated by woodblock prints. — Amsterdam: Hotei Publishing, 2004.

    One hardcover volume, 30.2 x 25.3 cm, in red cloth blind stamped to front and spine with lettering, in pictorial dust jacket; pp.: [1-4] 5-359 [360], total 180 leaves, profusely illustrated. Subject: Japan; Theatre; Kabuki theatre; Kabuki actors; Woodblock prints. Contributors: Arendie Herwig (Dutch, fl. 2002 – 2016); Henk Herwig (Dutch, fl. 2002 – 2017).
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  • Ellis Tinios. Mirror of the stage: The actor prints of Kunisada. — Leeds: The University Gallery Leeds, 1996.

    Thin booklet in glossy pictorial wrappers, 29.8 x 24.7 cm, pp.: [1-4] 5-48, 24 leaves total, illustrated. Errata tipped in after the front wrapper. Title-page: Mirror | of the stage | The actor prints of | Kunisada | Ellis Tinios | The University Gallery Leeds || Colophon: Published in March 1996 for the exhibition Mirror of the Stage held at the University Gallery Leeds 24 April-30 May 1996. Introduction: "This book [exhibition catalogue] has been written as an introduction to nineteenth-century Japanese colour woodblock actor prints and to the achievements of the artist Kunisada in that field [as well as to accompany the exhibition of the same name]. It is divided into three sections. In the first, I examine four topics: the social and cultural milieu that gave rise to the production of prints as items of mass consumption; the aesthetic of the actor print; the economics of print production (including consideration of the numbers issued, the prices at which they were sold and their rates of survival); and the process by which prints were produced. The second section consists of sixteen colour plates with commentaries. In the final section, I survey Kunisada's career." Subject: Utagawa, Kunisada, — 1786-1864 — Exhibitions; Ukiyo-e — Exhibitions; Colour prints, Japanese — Edo period, 1600-1868 — Exhibitions. Contributors: Ellis Tinios Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Select illustrations (references in this collection):

    SVJP-0226.2016: Superb Edo pictures illustrating dances, 1858.

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  • Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III .

    Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Matsumoto Kōshirō V as Nikki Danjō Saemon Naonori, 1863.

    Kabuki actor: Matsumoto Kōshirō V [五代目松本幸四郎] (Japanese, 1764-1838); other names: Ichikawa Komazō III, Ichikawa Sumizō I. Role: Nikki Danjo (仁木弾正): "Evil retainer Nikki Danjo who plots to overthrow his lord in the play Precious incense and the bush clover of Sendai (Meiboku sendai hagi)" [R. Kruml]. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Block cutter: Horikō (Kiyomizu) Ryūzō [彫工 柳三]. Publisher: Ebisuya Shoshichi [恵比寿屋庄七], Kinshōdō (Japanese, fl. c. 1846 – 1883). Year: 1863 (Bunkyū 3), 7th month. Size: Vertical ōban, hōsho paper. Signed: Nanajuhassai (aged seventy-eight) Toyokuni ga within toshidama cartouche. Censor’s seal: date-aratame. This print is from a series of portraits that Kunisada undertook very late in life and has been named Kinshodo-ban yakusha okubi-e (Kinshodo’s Large-Head Actor Portraits) in reference to the publisher, Ebisuya Shochochi of Kinshodo. The series depicted great actors in their famous roles from the past and present. Ref.: (1) [LIB-1212.2017] Robert Schaap. Kunisada: Imaging, drama and beauty. — Leiden: Hotei Publishing, 2016, p. 118 and 167 (№ 42): Ref.: (1) [LIB-1197.2016] Arendie and Henk Herwig. Heroes of the kabuki stage: an introduction to kabuki with retellings of famous plays, illustrated by woodblock prints. — Amsterdam: Hotei Publishing, 2004; pp. 243-249.
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  • Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Superb Edo pictures illustrating dances, 1858.

    Superb Edo pictures illustrating dances (Odori keiyô Edo-e no sakae): Interior of an imaginary theater with a performance of Shibaraku 「踊形容江戸絵栄」. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Publisher: Nōshūya Yasubei (Japanese, fl. c. 1851 – 1870). Year: 1858 (Ansei 5), 7th month. Size: Vertical ôban triptych; 36.9 x 75.7 cm. Signed: 一陽斎雛獅豊国筆(年玉印) – Ichiyôsai Hinashi Toyokuni ga (on left sheet only). Censor's seal: Horse 7 [午七 彫師]. Subject: Shibaraku. Ref.: MFA impression: 11.44263a-c; Robert Schaap. Kunisada (2016), p. 101 [LIB-1212.2017]. Ref.: [LIB-1197.2016] Arendie and Henk Herwig. Heroes of the kabuki stage: an introduction to kabuki with retellings of famous plays, illustrated by woodblock prints. — Amsterdam: Hotei Publishing, 2004; p. 38.
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  • Robert Schaap. Kunisada: Imaging, drama and beauty / Introduction by Sebastian Izzard, contributions by Paul Griffith and Henk. J. Herwig. — Leiden: Hotei Publishing, ©2016.

    Softcover, publisher’s pictorial wrappers, 29.7 x 24.6 cm, pp.: [1-3] 4-174 [2 blank], ils.; total 88 leaves. Title-page: Kunisada | imaging | drama and beauty | Robert Schaap | with an introduction by Sebastian Izzard | and contributions by Paul Griffith and Henk. J. Herwig | {publisher’s device} Hotei Publishing || Contents: Preface / Robert Schaap & Chris Uhlenbeck; Lenders to the exhibition & catalogue: notes to readers; Utagawa Kunisada, the artist and his times / Sebastian Izzard; Catalogue / Robert Schaap with Paul Griffith, Henk J. Herwig & Sebastian Izzard. Subjects: Utagawa, Kunisada, — 1786-1864 — Catalogs; Color prints, Japanese — Edo period, 1600-1868 — Catalogs; Ukiyo-e — Catalogs. Contributors: Sebastian Izzard Paul Griffith Henk. J. Herwig Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865) Select illustrations (references in this collection):

    SVJP-0226.2016: Superb Edo pictures illustrating dances, 1858.

     

    SVJP-0221.2016: Actor Morita Kan’ya XI as Saito Tarozaemon Toshiyuki, 1860.

     

    SVJP-0228.2017: Matsumoto Kōshirō V (Japanese, 1764-1838) as Nikki Danjō Saemon Naonori, 1863.

     

    SVJP-0197.2015: Three Pleasures of Present-day Osaka (Tōsei Naniwa no sankō), 1821.

     

    SVJP-0222.2016: A view of the dressing room of a Theater in Dōtonbori, Ōsaka, 1821-2.

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  • Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jûniji) 1824

    Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Eight prints from the series Twelve hours of a modern clock (Imayo tokei jūniji), 1820-22.

    Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Publisher: Matsumura Tatsuemon [松村辰右衛門] (Japanese, fl. c. 1793 – 1832). Year: c. 1820–22 (Bunsei era). Signed: 五渡亭国貞画 – Gototei Kunisada ga. Censor's seal: kiwame 改印：極
    Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jûniji) 1824

    SVJP-0179-6.2014

    		 The Hour of the Dragon, Fifth Hour of Day (Tatsu no koku, Hi no itsutsu toki), from the series Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jūniji) 「今世時計十二時　辰ノ刻　日ノ五つ時」 MFA impression: 11.15315.
    Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jûniji) 1824

    SVJP-0179-1.2014

    		 The Hour of the Rabbit, Sixth Hour of Day (U no koku, Ake muttsu toki), from the series Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jūniji) 「今世時計十二時　卯ノ刻　明六つ時」. MFA impression: 11.15317
    Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jûniji) 1824

    SVJP-0179-2.2014

    		 The Hour of the Monkey, Seventh Hour of Day (Saru no koku, Hi no nanatsu toki), from the series Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jūniji) 「今様時計十二時　申ノ刻　日ノ七つ時」 MFA impression: 11.39692
    Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jûniji) 1824

    SVJP-0179-8.2014

    		 The Hour of the Horse, Ninth Hour of Day (Uma no koku, Hi kokonotsu toki), from the series Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jūniji) 「今世時計十二時　午ノ刻　日九つ時」. MFA impression: 11.15314
    Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jûniji) 1824

    SVJP-0179-4.2014

    		 The Hour of the Boar, Fourth Hour of Night (I no koku, Yoru yottsu toki), from the series Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jūniji) 「今世時計十二時　亥ノ刻　夜四つ時」. MFA impression: 11.15552
    Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jûniji) 1824

    SVJP-0179-3.2014

    		 The Hour of the Tiger, Seventh Hour of Night (Tora no koku, Yoru nanatsu), from the series Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jūniji) 「今世時計十二時　寅ノ刻　夜七つ」. MFA impression: 11.15313 Ref.: Izzard. Kunisada’s world [LIB-2970.2022].
    Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jûniji) 1824

    SVJP-0179-5.2014

    		 The Hour of the Ox, Eight Hour of Night (Ushi no koku, Yoru no yattsu toki), from the series Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jūniji) 「今世時計十二時　丑ノ刻　夜ノ八つ時」. MFA impression: 11.26906
    Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jûniji) 1824

    SVJP-0179-7.2014

    		 The Hour of the Rat, Ninth Hour of Night (Ne no koku, Yoru kokonotsu toki), from the series Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock (Imayo tokei jūniji) 「今世時計十二時　子ノ刻　夜九つ時」. MFA impression: 11.15312
     
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  • Sebastian Izzard. Kunisada’s world. — New York: Japan Society, Ukiyo-e Society of America, ©1993.

    Glossy softcover, publisher’s pictorial wrappers, 30 x 23 cm, pp.: [i-v] vi-xi [xii blank], [2] 3-199 [200 blank], ils.; total 106 leaves. Title-page: Vertical from bottom to top along the outer margin in grey: KUNISADA'S WORLD; horizontally: KUNISADA'S WORLD | SEBASTIAN IZZARD | with essays by | J. THOMAS RIMER | JOHN T. CARPENTER | JAPAN SOCIETY, INC., in collaboration with the | UKIYO-E SOCIETY OF AMERICA || Published in conjunction with an exhibition held at the Japan Society Gallery, New York, September 30 - November 14, 1993. Contents: (1) Kunisada: in and out of his times; Kabuki at the time of Kunisada / J. Thomas Rimer. (2) Popular fiction in the age of Kunisada; Kunisada and the art of comic poetry / John T. Carpenter. (3) Kunisada the artist / Sebastian Izzard. Contributors: Sebastian Izzard J. Thomas Rimer (American, b. 1933) John T. Carpenter (American) Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865) Select illustrations (references in this collection):

    SVJP-0179-3.2014: The Hour of the Tiger, Seventh Hour of Night from the series Twelve Hours of a Modern Clock.

    SVJP-0222.2016: A view of the dressing room of a Theater in Dōtonbori, Ōsaka.

    SVJP-0105.2014: Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII as the ghost of Seigen.

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  • Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Mitate sanjurokkasen no uchi

    Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Poem by Ariwara no Narihira Ason: Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII as the ghost of Seigen, 1852.

    Poem by Ariwara no Narihira Ason: (Actor Ichikawa Danjûrô VIII as) Seigen, from the series Comparisons for Thirty-six Selected Poems (Mitate sanjûrokkasen no uchi)「見立三十六歌撰之内　有原業平朝臣　清玄」　八代目市川団十郎. Poem: Yo no naka ni/ taete sakura no/ nakariseba/ haru no kokoro wa/ nodokekaramashi. Kabuki actor: Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII [八代目 市川 團十郎] (Japanese, 1823 – 1854); other names: Ichikawa Ebizô VI, Ichikawa Shinnosuke II. Artist: Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Block cutter: Yokokawa Horitake [横川彫武] a.k.a. Yokokawa Takejiro [横川竹二郎] (Japanese, fl. 1860s). Publisher: Iseya Kanekichi [伊勢屋兼吉] (Japanese, fl. 1840s – c. 1875) Year: 1852 (Kaei 5), 10th month. Size: Vertical ōban; 36.5 × 25.4 cm. Signed: Toyokuni ga, in toshidama cartouche [豊国画(年玉枠] Censors' seals: Fuku, (Muramatsu), Rat 10. Ref: MFA Accession № 11.36779.43.
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  • Pierre Louÿs. Les aventures du Roi Pausole / Illustrations de Brunelleschi. — Paris: L’Estampe Moderne, 1930.

    Binding: One volume collated 4to, 27 x 19.4 cm in publisher’s French flapped cream wrappers lettered in blue and black to front and spine. Printed on watermarked laid paper (vergé d’Arches), outer and bottom margins untrimmed. Front wrapper (blue and black): PIERRE LOUŸS | LES AVENTURES | DU | ROI PAUSOLE | ILLUSTRATIONS DE | BRUNELLESCHI | {publisher’s device «EM»} | PARIS | L’ESTAMPE MODERNE | 1930 || Title page: PIERRE LOUŸS | LES AVENTURES | DU | ROI PAUSOLE | CONTENANT | DIX-SEPT ILLUSTRATIONS | EN COULEURS DONT NEUF HORS-TEXTE | PAR | BRUNELLESCHI | {publisher’s device} | PARIS | L’ESTAMPE MODERNE | ÉDITEURS | 14, RUE DE RICHELIEU, 14 | 1930 || Collation: 4to; π4 (incl. 1st blank, h.t./limit., t.p., d.t.p.) [1]-414 (last gathering uncut); total 168 leaves plus 9 plates with tissue guards extraneous to collation, incl. frontispiece, stencil-coloured etchings by Gorvel after Brunelleschi. Pagination: [6] [2] 3-324 [6], total 336 pages, ils. Limitation: Edition limited to 524 copies, 6 on Japon Impérial, enriched (№ 1-6); 13 on Japon Impérial, enriched (№ 7-19); 30 on Japon Impérial, enriched (№ 20-49); 450 on vergé d’Arches (№ 50-499); 5 on Japon Impérial (№ I-V) not for sale, and 20 on vergé d’Arches (№ VI-XXV) not for sale. This copy is № 300, on vergé d’Arches. Printed: January 30, 1930, by Coulouma (Argenteuil), plates by Ad. Valcke (Paris), stencil-colouring by J. Saudé. Contributors: Pierre Louÿs (French, 1870 – 1925) – author. Umberto Brunelleschi (Italian, 1879 – 1949) – artist. Georges Emile Louis Eugene Gorvel (French, 1866 – 1938) – etcher. Jean Saudé (French, fl. c. 1890 – 1930) – printer (pochoir, stencil) Coulouma (Argenteuil) – printer L’Estampe Moderne – publisher.
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  • Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Geisha of Shimanouchi: Actor Nakamura Utaemon III as Danshichi no Mohei, 1821.

    The left sheet of (optional) triptych: Geisha of the Shimanouchi district: Actor Nakamura Utaemon III as Danshichi no Mohei, from Three Pleasures of Present-day Osaka (Tōsei Naniwa no sankō)「当世浪花の三興　島之内」　「団七の茂兵衛」　三代目中村歌右衛門. Publisher: Iseya Rihei [伊勢屋利兵衛] (Japanese, fl. 1790s – c. 1879) Year: 1821 (Bunsei 4). Size: Vertical ōban; 36.5 x 25.1 cm. Signed: 於浮瀬亭国貞画 – Drawn by Kunisada in Ukabuse (Ukabuse ni oite Kunisada ga). Ukabuse is the name of a famous restaurant in Osaka, this signature can be found only on a three print bijin series [Kunisada Project]. Censor's seal: kiwame 改印：極 Actor Nakamura Utaemon III [中村歌右衛門] (Japanese, 1778 – 1838); other names: Nakamura Tamasuke, Nakamura Baigyoku I, Nakamura Shikan I, Kagaya Fukunosuke I. Character: Danshichi no Mohei [団七茂兵衛]. Ref: MFA ACCESSION NUMBER 11.21936; LIB-2967.2022 Izzard. Full series (triptych) Three Pleasures of Present-day Osaka (Tōsei Naniwa no sankō):
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  • Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Courtesan (Tayū): kabuki actor Bandō Mitsugorō III as Fujiya Izaemon, 1821.

    The central sheet of (optional) triptych: Courtesan (Tayū): kabuki actor Bandō Mitsugorō III as Fujiya Izaemon from Three pleasures of present-day Osaka (Tōsei Naniwa no sankō)「当世浪花の三興　太夫」 「藤屋伊左衛門」 三代目坂東三津五郎. Publisher: Iseya Rihei [伊勢屋利兵衛] (Japanese, fl. 1790s – c. 1879) Year: 1821 (Bunsei 4). Size: Vertical ōban; 36.5 x 25.1 cm. Signed: 於浮瀬亭国貞画 – Drawn by Kunisada in Ukabuse (Ukabuse ni oite Kunisada ga). Ukabuse is the name of a famous restaurant in Osaka, this signature can be found only on a three print bijin series [Kunisada Project]. Censor's seal: kiwame 改印：極 Actor Bandō Mitsugorō III [三代目 坂東 三津五郎] (Japanese, 1775 – 1831); other names: Bandō Minosuke I, Morita Kanjirô II, Bandō Mitahachi I, Bandō Minosuke I, Bandō Mitahachi I. Character: Fujiya Izaemon. Ref: MFA ACCESSION NUMBER 11.21937; LIB-2967.2022 Izzard. Full series (triptych) Three Pleasures of Present-day Osaka (Tōsei Naniwa no sankō):
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  • Utagawa Kunisada (1786 – 1865): His world revisited / Catalogue 17, Exhibition March 17-21, 2021. — NY: Sebastian Izzard, LLC., 2021.

    Softcover, in pictorial wrappers, 28 x 21.8 cm, 64 entries, with colour illustrations, some folding. Catalogue # 17 of the sales exhibition on March 17-21, 2021 in NY; pagination: [1-3] 4-182 [2], ils. Contributor: Sebastian Izzard Select illustrations (references in this collection):

    SVJP-0222.2016: A view of the dressing room of a Theater in Dōtonbori, Ōsaka.

    SVJP-0105.2014: Ichikawa Danjūrō VIII as the ghost of Seigen.

    SVJP-0360.2022: Ichikawa Danjūrō VII.

    SVJP-0361.2022: Beauty playing the shamisen beneath a mosquito net.

    SVJP-0359.2022: Young woman checks her makeup in a mirror.

    SVJP-0197-1.2015

    SVJP-0197.2015: Three Pleasures of Present-day Osaka (Tôsei Naniwa no sankô); left; centre, right.

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  • Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III), Utagawa Kunihisa II. Kabuki actor Nakamura Shikan IV as Tasogare / Fan print, 1863.

    Artist (character): Utagawa Kunisada [歌川 国貞] a.k.a. Utagawa Toyokuni III [三代歌川豊国] (Japanese, 1786 – 1865). Artist (landscape): Utagawa Kunihisa II [歌川国久] (Japanese, 1832 – 1981), a.k.a. Katsuda Hisatarō, Ichiunsai, Ritchōrō, Toyonobu, Yōryūsai, Yōsai. Block carver: Matsushima Masakichi (Japanese, fl. c. 1847-65); seal: [松嶋彫政] – Matsushima Hori Masa (Frieze, 2009: 142) Publisher: Iseya Magobei [伊勢屋孫兵衛] (Japanese, fl. c. 1794 – 1868). Signed: By the brush of Toyokuni at the age of 78 [七十八歳豊国筆] (Nanajūhachi-sai Toyokuni hitsu) – in a red toshidama cartouche (left). Signed: Landscape by Kunihisa [景色 国久画] (Keshiki Kunihisa ga) (right). Actor: Nakamura Shikan IV [中村芝翫] (Japanese, 1831 –  1899); other names: Nakamura Fukusuke I, Nakamura Masanosuke I, Nakamura Komasaburō, Nakamura Tamatarō I. Combined date seal and kiwame censor seal: [亥極] – Bunkyū 3 (1863) Tasogare (literally, twilight] [たそがれ] is a character in the novel Rustic Genji and a role in various kabuki plays. Fake Murasaki’s Rustic Genji [偐紫田舎源氏] (Nise Murasaki inaka Genji) is a literary parody written by  Ryutei Tanehiko [柳亭種彦] (Japanese, 1783 – 1842). According to Horst Graebner, this must be a mitate print because there was no known performance of this play in 1863.
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  • Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III . Kabuki actor Iwai Kumesaburō II as An no Heibei 1829

    Utagawa Kunisada (Toyokuni III). Kabuki actor Iwai Kumesaburō II as An no Heibei, from the series ‘Flowers of Edo – the five Karigane blood-brothers’ / Fan print, 1829.

    Artist: Utagawa Kunisada, a.k.a. Toyokuni III (Japanese, 1786 – 1865) [歌川 国貞]. Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō [伊場屋仙三郎] (Japanese, fl. C. 1845 – 1847). Date aratame seal: Bunsei 12 (1829). Signed: Gototei Kunisada ga [五渡亭国貞画]. Media: Fan print (uchiwa-e), 272 x 235 mm. Actor: Iwai Hanshirō VI (Japanese, 1799 – 1836); other names: Iwai Hanshirō VI, Iwai Kumesaburō II, Iwai Hisajirō I, Baiga [梅我] (poetry name), Shūka (poetry name). The background is Arare-ko-mon [霰小紋] hail pattern. Kabuki actor Iwai Kumesaburō II in the role of An no Heibei [安の平兵衛] in the drama Otokodate Itsutsu Karigane [男作五雁金] (Play, 7 acts. Produced 1742/09). From Lyon collection: The real An no Heibei (ca. 1672-1702): "In a gang with Kaitate no Kichiemon, Hote no Ichiemon, Mippiki Jihei and others as of the Seventh Month of 1697. Attacked people with a sword on the sixth day, Seventh Month, 1699, which he then secreted with Kichiemon. On the evening of the sixth day, Sixth Month, 1701, stabbed Kibei, an employee of Kawachiya Gohei of the residential quarter Kyuhoji, in the side with a dagger. A subsequent police investigation resulted in Heibei's arrest the following day. Beheaded at the execution grounds located at Sennichi Mae on the twenty-sixth day of the Eighth Month, 1702." Note: According to Horst Graebner, the actor's name below the series title in the cartouche is Baiga (梅我), the poetry name of Iwai Kumesaburō II. On the other prints in this series, the actors are also named on the other prints with their poetry names. In the red cartouche at the top left is the series title "Edo no hana – itsutsu Karigane" (江戸の花 五雁金), to be translated as "Flowers of Edo - the five Karigane blood-brothers" (or "the five Karigane gang members"). "Since there was no performance with the Karigane brothers from 1829, these must be mitate prints", states Mr Graebner.
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  • Important eighteenth century Japanese prints. / Catalogue 15, Exhibition November 1-5, 2019. — NY: Sebastian Izzard, LLC., 2019.

    Softcover, in pictorial wrappers, 28 x 21.6 cm, 30 entries, with colour illustrations, some folding. Catalogue of the sales exhibition on November 1-5, 2019 in NY; pagination: [1-3] 4-72 [2] [2 blank], ils. Contributor: Sebastian Izzard
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  • Georges Bengesco. Voltaire, bibliographie de ses œuvres. (4 volumes in 2). — Mansfield Centre, CT: Martino Publishing, 2006.

    Reprint. Originally published in four volumes in Paris by Perrin, 1882-1890, limited edition of 550 copies: 50 exemplaires sur papier de Holland (nos. 1 à 50) 500 exemplaires sur papier vélin (nos. 51 à 550). Two volumes (992 and 1,056 pp.), 23.8 x 16.3 x 6 cm each, in black buckram, gilt lettering in a double fillet frame to spine: “VOLTAIRE | Bibliographie | De Ses | Oeuvres | X X | BENGESCO | Volumes | I & II (III & IV) | {publisher’s device} || pp: (1) [i-ix] x-xix [xx] [1] 2-494; (2) [12] [i] ii-xviii [1] 2-438 [10]; (3)[6] [i] ii-xv, [1] 2-609 [3] + one folding plate; (4) [8] [i] ii-xxii [2] [1] 2-391 [392]. Title-page: VOLTAIRE | — | BIBLIOGRAPHIE DE SES ŒUVRES | PAR | GEORGES BENGESCO | TOME PREMIER (DEUXIÈME; TROISIÈME; QUATRIÈME) | COURONNÉ PAR L’ACADEMIE FRANÇAISE | {piblisher’s device} | Martino Publishing | Mansfield Centre, CT | 2006 || In the original t.p. BIBLIOGRAPHIE DE SES ŒUVRES and GEORGES BENGESCO printed in red, after the publisher’s device: PARIS | ÉD. ROUVIERE & G. BLOND | ÉDITEURS | 98 RUE DE RICHELIEU 98 | 1882 (etc.) || Contents: — T.1. Théâtre. Poésies. Grands ouvrages historiques. Dictionnaire philosophique et questions sur l'Encyclopédie. Romans. — T. 2. Mélanges. Ouvrages édités par Voltaire. Ouvrages annotés par Voltaire. — T. 3. Correspondance. Cent lettres de Voltaire qui ne figurent dans aucune édition de ses œuvres et suivi du réperoire chronologique de sa correspondance de 1711 à 1778, avec l'indication des principales sources de chaque lettre." — T.4. Œuvres complètes de Voltaire. Principaux extraits de Voltaire. Ouvrages faussement attribués à Voltaire Georges Bengesco [Gheorghe Bengescu] (Romanian, 1848 – 1922) François-Marie Arouet [Voltaire] (French, 1694 – 1778)
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  • A fan print of an advertisement of sake from Imabari, Iyo Province [伊予今治広瀬氏製 歌仙の名酒], Edo peroid.

    An uncut fan print uchiwa-e, size 22.7 x 28.7cm, by an unknown artist.
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  • Michael von Zichy. Liebe: Vierzig Zeichnungen. Leipzig: Privatdruck, 1911.

    Oblong album of forty photogravures printed on wove paper in sanguine after drawings by Mihály Zichy; 31.5 x 40.5 cm gilt-decorated half-parchment over red boards with a gilt diaper design; embossed gilt label in the top left corner “Michael | von Zichy. | Liebe”. Anonymous edition. Bookplate to front pastedown: “P•U•H | EX | LIBRIS”. Photogravures made from the original watercolours and crayon drawings produced in 1874-1879; the original album consisted of 51 compositions was sold at Christie’s sale of Gérard Nordmann collection on December 14-15, 2006 in Paris. Some of these photogravures were reproduced photomechanically and printed in 1869 [LIB-2244.2019] and 1989 [LIB-2242.2019]. Limitation: 300 copies were privately printed in Leipzig in 1911 for subscribers only; photogravure copper plates were destroyed. This is copy № 285. Title-page (brown and black): MICHAEL VON ZICHY | LIEBE | VIERZIG ZEICHNUNGEN | PRIVATDRUCK LEIPZIG 1911 || Dimensions: album: 31.5 x 40.5 cm; sheets 31 x 40 cm, uncut. Catalogue raisonné: Bibliothèque érotique: Gérard Nordmann; Livres, manuscrits, dessins, photographies du XVIe au XXe siècle / Catalogues de ventes, seconde partie. — Paris: Christie’s, 2006; p. 280, № 564 (drawings); №  565 photogravures [LIB-2810.2021]. Contributors: Mihály Zichy [Michael von Zichy; Михаил Александрович Зичи] (Hungarian, 1827 – 1906).
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  • Erato: Graphiken von Mihály Zichy. — Budapest: Corvina Kiadó, 1989.

    Erato: Graphiken von Mihály Zichy. — Budapest: Corvina Kiadó, 1989.

    Description: Oblong volume, 19.3 x 24.2 cm, hardcover in velvet with pasted image, in a pictorial slipcase; printed on glossy paper, unpaginated. Title-page (in frame): ERATO | GRAPHIKEN VON MIHÁLY ZICHY || Collation: (2) h.t., t.p., (30) leaves of plates (4) text by Éva Bros, bibliography, colophon; total 36 leaves. The plates are photomechanical offset copies made from the photogravures of 1911 Leipzig private press edition [SVE-0501.2021], which photogravures made from the original watercolours and crayon drawings produced by Zichy in 1874-1879; the original album of 51 compositions was sold at Christie’s sale of Gérard Nordmann collection on December 14-15, 2006 in Paris. See a copy of the Leipzig album № 285 in this collection [SVE-0501.2021].
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