Japanese Prints and Rare Books from a Distinguished Private Collection; and Other Works of Art

Not seen in the market for many decades, the group features works by masters including Chobunsai Eishi (1756-1829), Kitao Masanobu (1761-1816), Kubo Shunman (1757-1820), Katsukawa Shuntei (1770-1824), Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861), and others. Some of the books were previously owned by important collectors including Louis Gonse (1846-1921), Siegfried Bing (1838-1905) and Charles Haviland (1832-1896). A highlight is a book by Kitao Masanobu (1761-1816), ‘Anthology of "Crazy Verses" (kyoka) by Fifty Poets of the Tenmei era' ([Tenmei shinsen gojunin isshu] azumaburi kyoka bunko), woodblock-printed book, published by Tsutaya Juzaburo, 1786 and previously owned by Louis Gonse. 

Accompanying the collection will be fine works of lacquer, folding screens and further prints. 

Image: Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858), ‘Black Sea Bream, Small Sea Bream, Asparagus Shoots and Sansho Pepper’, from the untitled series of Large Fish. Woodblock print, circa 1832-33. Signed Ichiryusai Hiroshige ga. 25.4 x 36.5 cm.