Edo Art

Beautiful mid 19th century Japanese woodblock print of a samurai by Utagawa Toyokuni III (Kunisada) (Japanese, 1786-1864/5). This piece is from a series of "The 53 Stations of the To...

"Pictures Of Noh" - 1922 Original Japanese Woodblock Print Original Japanese woodblock print by Tsukioka Kogyo (Japanese, 1869-1927...

Japanese Parade - Woodblock Print Japanese woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyasu (歌川 国安) (Japan, 1794–1832). Japanese women, dressed in blue and red kimonos, are the focal point. A vi...

Sumiyoshi: Dengaku dance performed during an Onda ceremony - Woodblock Print Bright woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige (Japanese, 1797-1858). In this scene, two dancers with swords and fans are facing each other, in the center of a courtyard. There are spectators surrounding them, including nobles in black clothing on a balcony. Presented in a new off-white mat with foamcore backing. Mat size: 16"H x 20"W Paper size: 9.63"H x 14.5W" Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858, sometimes called Ando Hiroshige) was the second of the two great masters of the Japanese landscape woodblock print...

Signed: Harunobu ga Series: Series: Eight Fashionable Parlor Views (Furyu zashiki hakkei)? Format Japanese: chuban Provenance: Private Collection, Philadelphia Collection of McCleaf ...

Deutzia Flowers: The Wife of Kasamori - Original Woodblock Print Deutzia Flowers: The Wife of Kasamori, from the Series "Beauties of the Floating World Associated with Flowers" by S...

"Sun, Moon and Stars". Three beauties enjoy a full moon on the veranda of a teahouse or restuarant. The woman on the left kneels and adjusts her lavishly printed kimono. The beauty in the center has her hair down, and behind her is a screen against which shadows are beautifully silhouetted, which adds an air of mystery. The seated woman on the right is perhaps a geisha, as we see a shamisen lying next to her. Before her is a tray with an assortment of foods. One may surmise that the beauties are being compared to the sun, the moon, and the stars. On the left we glimpse a full moon shining over the peaceful bay, and boats at harbor. Original first edition Japanese color woodblock print triptych...

This Antique Japanese Scroll is a depiction of a dogwood tree. Painted in a traditional Japanese style with watercolor, the brush strokes are ...

In image of the Tokugawa family paying homage to Tosho-gu Shrine in Nikko. Tokyo: Matsuki Heikichi, 1896 Woodcut in ink with embossing and hand-coloring in watercolor on handmade m...

Mitate of a Daimyo's Procession Crossing Ryogoku Bridge - Woodblock Print Woodblock print of a procession by Keisai Eisen (Japanese, 1790–1848). Terrific triptych of a procession of...

One Hundred Prints Of The Noh - 1925 Original Japanese Woodblock Print Original Japanese woodblock print by Tsukioka Kogyo (Japanese, 1869...

Japan: circa 1770. Woodcut on cream laid paper, 7 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches (182 x 63 mm), narrow margins. Laid down to non-archival board with scattered soiling and some adhesive staining...

This 77" x 22" Japanese Antique Scroll depicts a serene and foggy landscape painting on silk with a figure positioned in the lower half of the...

Tokyo: Matsuki Heikichi, 1893 Woodcut in ink with embossing and hand-coloring in watercolor on handmade mulberry paper, 14 1/2 x 9 7/8 inches (368 x 251 mm), ōban tate-e, full margi...

No. 45, View of Akasaka from "Comical Views of Famous Places in Edo" Woodblock Whimsical woodblock print by Utagawa Hirokage (Japanese, active 1855–1865). Four people are sitting on...

Woodcut on cream laid paper, 7 1/4 x 2 1/2 inches (182 x 63 mm), narrow margins. Laid down to non-archival board with scattered soiling and some adhesive staining. Okumura Masanobu (Japanese 1686 – 13 March 1764) was a Japanese print designer, book publisher, and painter. He also illustrated novelettes and in his early years wrote some fiction. At first his work adhered to the Torii school, but later drifted beyond that. He is a figure in the formative era of ukiyo-e doing early works on actors and bijin-ga ("pictures of beautiful women"). While Masanobu's early life is largely undocumented, he is believed to have been born about 1686, possibly in Edo (modern Tokyo). Edo was a small fishing village when Tokugawa Ieyasu chose it as his administrative capital of the Tokugawa shogunate, and by the early 17th century the city had prospered and its population had grown to half a million. Masanobu appears to have been self-taught painter (though he did study poetry under Tachiba Fukaku); he is not known to have belonged to any artistic school. His early work shows the influence of the Torii school of ukiyo-e painting...

Kabuki Actor in Blue Kimono - Original Woodblock Print Original woodblock print depicting a Kabuki actor in a blue kimono by Suzuki Harunobu (Japanese, 1725-1770). The actor holds u...

"House Cleaning in Preparation for the New Year" - Japanese Woodblock on Paper House cleaning scene by Kitagawa Utamaro (Japanese, 1753-1806). This print was originally published around 1796-1799, with this example being a later reprint. The full scene is five sheets - there are two more sheets to the right that show more members of the house. However, it is these three sheets that contain the majority of the action - a maid sweeping at a mouse, a lady fainting, and a painting moved aside to allow for cleaning. Presented in a new black mat. Mat size: 24"H x 38"W Paper size: 17.75"H x 33"W Print Impression: 14.63"H x 29.5"W Utamaro Kitagawa...

Bijin-ga Series XXXIV (Nº 34) Title: Miyahito of the Ôgiya Three quarter portrait of the elegant courtesan Miyahito of the Ôgiya House. This beautifully dressed japanese woman wears a solid grey outer robe, which contrasts with her soft rose kimono and the colored obi with an intricate geometric pattern. Her hair is arranged high atop her head, adorned with several hairpins. A classic Utamaro beauty print recreated with extraordinary taste and subtlety by Mario BGil in this delicate drawing. This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print...

Scribe and Personal Assistant to the Shogun - Japanese Woodblock Print on Paper Detailed woodblock print by an unknown artist, In the style of Suzuki Harunobu. There are two women i...

Actor Arashi Rikan II as Aburaya Yohei - Figurative Woodblock Print on Paper Woodblock print of kabuki actor by Shunbaisai Hokuei (Japanes...

“Hitomoto of The Daimonjiya in Kyô-Machi Itchôme” Hitomoto holds a bouquet of flowers looking to her left, with a surprised face, and with her mouth aj...

Torii Kiyonaga woodblock print from the series "Prescious Children's Games of the Five Festivals." It shows five children playing with a ball and kites flying in the background. This...

Bijin-ga series XXVIII (Nº 28) Title: Tatsumi Roko Portrait of Tatsumi Roko, a geisha of the pleasure quarters in the Edo period. The image belongs to the series Renowed Beauties Likened to the Six Inmortal Poets. The popular top-class geishas of the day , known as “oiran”, were depicted in this type of print. In ukiyo-e woodblock prints, this close-up portrait view of the upper body is known as an okubi-e (bust portrait). This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print...

A beauty turns to admire the Kirifuri Waterfall in Nikko Province. She holds the handle of an umbrella and wears fashionable clothing that is beautifully printed. This series pairs f...

Sumi ink drawing, c. 1928 Signed in the lower right corner (see detail) Original illustration for the novel "Gunmo" (Hoi Polloi or Blind and Foolish Masses), volume 4 in the "Complete Works of Burafu Nakamura." Nakamura, a popular Japanese novelist and playwright, lived from 1886-1949. Framed in acid free rag matting, OP3 Acrylic and a rounded corner metal leaf frame Sight size: 6-3/4 x 5-3/8" Frame size: 14-5/8 x 12-5/8 x 3/4" Shinsui Itō...

Umewaka Shrine, from an untitled series of prints depicting Tokyo. A woman braces her umbrella against the rain and a man waits out the storm next to his jinriksha in this view of th...

Bijin-ga Series I (Nº1) Title: Karagoto of The Chojiya Head and bust portrait of the beautiful courtesan Karagoto, of the Chojiya House, who appears looking to her left while drying her right ear with the sleeve of her yukata (a fine summer garment, normally made of cotton that was normally used after bathing). The wide sleeve falls from her ear covering her right breast and leaving the left one uncovered. This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print...

Buddhist Monk Antique Asian Wood Carving 18Th Century or earlier possibly Japanese wood sculpture of a Buddhist Monk resting on lotus blossom on newer...

Bijin-ga Series XXVI (Nº 26) Title: Hanaôgi of the Ôgiya House Hanaôgi, one of the most famous courtesans of the Edo period working in the Ôgiya House, an exclusive brothel in the Yoshiwara appears beautifully dressed holding a writing brush on her right hand and a decorated piece of paper in the shape of a “cartuche”, maybe to write a message of love for a client. This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print...

Bijing-Ga Series XII (Nº 12) Title: Reflective Love. Lovely portrait of a beauty looking over her shoulder. In Reflective Love (from the Utamaro...

Bijin-ga Series XVII (nº 17) Title: Love for a farmer´s wife Sensual portrait of a young and beautiful farmer´s wife. Her cheerful and careless gesture, showing her chest between the open folds of the neckline of his humble dress; the strands of hair falling on her temples, and her smiling gesture denote the state of happiness enjoying love, in a well-deserved break from her hard work. This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock...

Bijin-ga series XXV (Nº 25) Title: SOMENOSUKE OF THE MATSUBAYA Somenosuke of house Matsubaya, known as a youthful courtesan who quickly rose through the ranks of popularity is shown producing a concealed letter, glancing about to confirm she is indeed alone. The highlights of the drawing are the fine carving of the courtesan´s hair-line and the fine dress; an elegant kimono with vivid colors and intricate dessing. This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print...

Beijing-ga Series XXX (nº 30) Title: “Takashimaohisa” Ohisa, along with Okita and Tomimoto Toyohina, were the three most famous beauties of the time. The first two were waitresses...

BIJIN-GA SERIES XVIII (Nº 18) Title: Obvious Love (Arawaruru Koi) This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print Obvious Love (Arawaruru Koi) (1793-94); 38,8 x 26,2 cm.. Art Institute Chicago, USA. A sensual woman seems to care little that her kimono is open, exposing a breast. Her hair is in disarray , the hairpin at the front about to fall and she holds one of the hairpins in her left hand. She appears to be looking down outside the frame of the picture, perhaps in mid-conversation. The term “arawaruru” refers to a love so wholehearted that it expresses itself in the lover´s face and mannerisms. In the 1780's and 90's the publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo and the designer Kitagawa Utamaro worked together on the production of many woodblock prints, most of them of the bijin-ga type. One of their most popular productions was a set of images that purported to depict psychological classifications of women - 'fickle', 'interesting', etc.. Perhaps in response to this success, they then came up with something similar - a set of prints...

Bijin-ga series XXIX (Nº 29) Title: Bijin Ôkubi Upper torso portrait of a Japanese beauty, depicted with a graceful hand gesture and an ornate headdress. Her soft round features contrast with the colourful sharp angles of the collars of her kimono. Her elongated oval face, straight nose and red butterfly lips are typical of the prototype of a beautiful woman, Bijin-ga. Her upper torso and face occupying the central section of the picture show a composition type that became known in time as Large-head pictures, or Okubi-e; compositions with which Utamaro became a model for generations of woodblock artists. This image is part of the Bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print...

Bijin-ga series II (nº 02) Title: “Hairdresser” The interest in this picture is focused on the hairstyles of both women, a hairdresser leaning forward with a bow of intense black color, arranging his client's especially long hair. The ways of gripping both the hair and the comb, making it slide through the ocher-scented kimono of the customer, decorated with sea stars, stand out. Highlighting with great detail the drawing of loose hair on the obi of white lines on a red background, and the kosode of plum color. This image is part of the Bijin-ga Series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print "Hairdresser" (1798-1799), 39,8 x 26,8 cm. Museum of Fine Arts. Boston-USA. Utamaro drawn a series of twelve prints whose themes were related to the manual works of women, and this "Hairdresser" is one of them. Mario BGil reproduces the seal of the censor (Kiwame) and writes his own signature, Mario BGil, in Japanese, with the date 14 (2014). The mesaurements of the drawing are 76 x 56 cm. (29,92 x 22,05 in.), with a painted surface of 67 x 49,5 cm. With his work on the bijing-ga series, Mario BGil wanted to embellish, give brilliance and volume to the images presented by japanese artist Kitigawa Utamaro in those beautiful engravings, ennobled with the patina of time, which have served as inspiration. The result obtained is almost life-size portraits, endowed with strong chromaticism and valuable contrasts, all enhanced, in turn, with the volume provided by the weight and rigidity of the paper, and its thick texture (Fabriano Artistico “grana grosso”, 640g/m2; the thickness and hardness of the paper makes it necessary to transport it without rolling). In this way, Mario BGil pays tribute to his admired artist and offers us a new and enriched vision of this popular facet of oriental art from the 18th and 19th centuries. ABOUT THE ARTIST Mario BGil is a self-taught artist who for years has combined his creative activity with his work in the business world, away from commercial art galleries. Man of very diverse interests and great artistic sensitivity, studied Art History and in 2012, a deep interest in oriental art was awakened in him so that he began to study the great masters of Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, who had such an influence on the European avant-garde of the late 19th century. The discovery of Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), a key figure in the metropolitan culture of Edo (now Tokyo), and a point of reference in the history of Japanese engraving...

Bijin-ga series XXI (Nº 21) Title: The courtese Hinakoto of the Hyôgorô House of Edo The courtesan Hinakoto is depicted by smoking tobacco. She takes the pipe delicately in her left hand and, in her right hand, she seems to be holding a “uchiwa” (rigid hand fan) that comes out from the bottom of the drawing, decorated with written calligraphy. Some strands of hair that fall on her temple and her scant clothing show that the painter has surprised her in a relaxed moment in which she does not lose her elegance and slenderness. This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print...

Bijing-ga Series XXII (Nº 22) Title: THE FLICKLE TYPE Upper half of the body of a woman in yukata (summer kymono) with part of her chest bare. Depicted just after a bath, she is turning her head and drying her hands with the towel hang on her shoulder. Her just-washed hair is tied around an ornate hairpin, the hair style called bai-mage (spiral-shell chignon). The unkempt hair of the nape and the movement of the hands one on the other are clear examples of Utamaro's mastery, who had an exceptionally observant eye for women. The Fickle ( or Fancy-free) Type is flirting with more than one member of the opposite sex This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print...

LOVE FOR A STREET-WALKER Crayon, graphite, pencil on paper. Measurements: (H) 76 x (W) 56 cm. Attractive portrait of an Edo prostitute hurrying through the streets. She wears a black kimono over layers of colored kimono, tucking her hand into the "obi" at her waist. A white scarf is draped over her head, the edge caught between her teeth, and loose wisps of hair framed her face. There is an impressive contrast between the black kimono and the yellow-orange of collars, sleeves and "obi", balancing the composition the pastel pink of the scarf that covers her head. This image is part of the "bijin-ga" series, Pretty Women, drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print "Love for a street-walker" (1795), 37,2 x 24,6 cm. The British Musem. London, UK. The artist reproduces the seal of the censor (Kiwame) and from the original publisher ("Tsutaya", climbing leaf)), between the two, the signature of Mario BGil written in Japanese, with the date 14 (2014). The mesaurements of the drawing are 76 x 56 cm. (29,92 x 22,05 in.), with a painted surface of 67 x 49,5 cm. With his work on the "bijing-ga" series, Mario BGil wanted to embellish, give brilliance and volume to the images presented by japanese artist Kitigawa Utamaro in those beautiful engravings, ennobled with the patina of time, which have served as inspiration. The result obtained is almost life-size portraits, endowed with strong chromaticism and valuable contrasts, all enhanced, in turn, with the volume provided by the weight and rigidity of the paper, and its thick texture (Fabriano Artistico “grana grosso”, 640g/m2; the thickness and hardness of the paper makes it necessary to transport it without rolling). In this way, Mario BGil pays tribute to his admired artist and offers us a new and enriched vision of this popular facet of oriental art from the 18th and 19th centuries. ABOUT THE ARTIST Mario BGil is a self-taught artist who for years has combined his creative activity with his work in the family business, away from commercial art galleries. In 2012, a deep interest in oriental art was awakened in him and he began to study the great masters of Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, who had such an influence on the European avant-garde of the late 19th century. The discovery of Kitagawa Utamaro (1753-1806), a key figure in the metropolitan culture of Edo (now Tokyo), and a point of reference in the history of Japanese engraving...

This folding screen is a stunning example of Japanese artistry. Beautifully painted with delicate brushwork, the evocative screen depicts a lively festival during the Edo period (1615–1912). The raucous scene is full of life; within the dense crowd, you can make out people dancing...

Bijing-Ga series XXVII (Nº 27) Title: Tomomoto Toyohina Tomimoto Toyohina was a much sought-after geisha (entertainer) who performed narrative ballads accompanied by the shamisen. She was one of several non-prostitute beauties, including teahouse waitresses, whom Utamaro depicted repeatedly in the early to mid 1790s. She appears here with a brush in hand, dressed and combed with simple elegance. This composition is from a six-print series comprising half-length portraits of famous beauties (Famous beauties of Edo). Utamaro elevated Tomimoto Toyohina to the status of one of the three most renowned beauties of her age (together with Okita and Ohisa). She was from a prominent family of musicians that provided entertainment in the Yoshiwara. Toyohina’s appeal undoubtedly was as much due to her appearance as to her skills in singing, and Utamaro’s celebration of her would have further elevated the status of an already well-known lineage. This image is part of the bijin-ga series (“Pretty women”) drawn by Mario BGil, based in the Kitigawa Utamaro woodblock print...

Title: The Heroine Umekawa in "Meido no Kiyaku" Medium: Color woodcut with mica background, silver metallic pigment, and "gofun" for the snow effect Date Of Execution: 1923 Dimension...

Attributed to Ukita Ikkei (1795-1859) Hanging scroll painting of the American ship commanded by Commodore Matthew Perry in Uraga Bay, annotate...