Utagawa Kuniyoshi · Ogura Nazorae Hyakunin Isshu · Poem 76 · Hakamadare Yasusuke, the master thief · - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
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Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 180 - € 280
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Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s Ōban tate-e woodblock print in the Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu series, No. 76 featuring Hakamadare Yasusuke, dated circa 1845–1848, about 25 × 37 cm, ink and colour on paper, published by Ibaya Senzaburō with carver Hori Take.
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Description from the seller
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川國芳 (1797–1861)
Series: Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu 小倉擬百人一首 (Ogura Imitations of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets)
Title: No. 76, Poem by Hosshōji Nyūdō Saki no Kanpaku Daijō Daijin 法性寺入道前関白太政大臣 (Fujiwara no Tadamichi): Hakamadare Yasusuke 袴垂保輔
Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. 25 × 37 cm
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Date: c. 1845–48
Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō 伊場屋仙三郎 (seal 伊場仙板)
Carver: Hori Take 彫竹
Signature: 一勇齋國芳画 (Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga), with the artist's kiri seal
Text: Ryūkatei Tanekazu 柳下亭種員
________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Excellent colors, good impression. The paper is clean, firm and subtle! Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu was the great collaborative project of the late 1840s. Kuniyoshi, Hiroshige and Kunisada divided the classical anthology of one hundred poems between them. Each sheet pairs a poem with a figure from history, legend or the stage.
Poem 76, by the regent Fujiwara no Tadamichi, describes rowing out onto the open sea. There the white-crested waves (shiranami) blend with the clouds on the horizon. Kuniyoshi's pairing is a clever pun. In Edo slang, "shiranami" also meant "thieves", and kabuki plays about bandits were called shiranami-mono.
So the poem is matched with Hakamadare Yasusuke, the most famous thief of Heian-period legend. According to the text on the sheet, his hideout was the temple gate of Zuiryūzan in eastern Kyoto. He disguised himself as a high-ranking noble and used secret arts to enter the imperial palace, but he was unmasked and captured by a powerful guard.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi 歌川國芳 (1797–1861)
Series: Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu 小倉擬百人一首 (Ogura Imitations of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets)
Title: No. 76, Poem by Hosshōji Nyūdō Saki no Kanpaku Daijō Daijin 法性寺入道前関白太政大臣 (Fujiwara no Tadamichi): Hakamadare Yasusuke 袴垂保輔
Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. 25 × 37 cm
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), ink and colour on paper
Date: c. 1845–48
Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō 伊場屋仙三郎 (seal 伊場仙板)
Carver: Hori Take 彫竹
Signature: 一勇齋國芳画 (Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga), with the artist's kiri seal
Text: Ryūkatei Tanekazu 柳下亭種員
________________________________________________________
CONDITION
Excellent colors, good impression. The paper is clean, firm and subtle! Please check the images!
-------------------------------------------------------
About the print
Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu was the great collaborative project of the late 1840s. Kuniyoshi, Hiroshige and Kunisada divided the classical anthology of one hundred poems between them. Each sheet pairs a poem with a figure from history, legend or the stage.
Poem 76, by the regent Fujiwara no Tadamichi, describes rowing out onto the open sea. There the white-crested waves (shiranami) blend with the clouds on the horizon. Kuniyoshi's pairing is a clever pun. In Edo slang, "shiranami" also meant "thieves", and kabuki plays about bandits were called shiranami-mono.
So the poem is matched with Hakamadare Yasusuke, the most famous thief of Heian-period legend. According to the text on the sheet, his hideout was the temple gate of Zuiryūzan in eastern Kyoto. He disguised himself as a high-ranking noble and used secret arts to enter the imperial palace, but he was unmasked and captured by a powerful guard.
Seller's Story
I've been collecting Japanese woodblock prints for quite a while now — everything from classic ukiyo-e to shin-hanga and sōsaku-hanga. What started as a personal passion eventually turned into something more, and these days I source prints from auctions, galleries, and private collections across Japan and Europe.
With growing worldwide interest in Japanese woodblock prints, gallery prices have been climbing steadily. My goal is simple: offer high-quality, authentic prints at reasonable prices. I'm picky about what I sell — I look for pieces that have been stored properly, kept flat, and are free from serious foxing, stains, or damage.
I'm based in Germany, which means EU buyers won't deal with any import duties or taxes. For US buyers, original artworks under HS code 9702 are duty-free as well. And wherever you are, I pack everything carefully with multiple layers of protection so your print arrives safely.
If you have questions about a piece, just reach out. You will get access to contact me once you've won an item from my lots.
Details
Dynastic Style/Period
Edo Period (1600-1868)
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
Utagawa Kuniyoshi · Ogura Nazorae Hyakunin Isshu · Poem 76 · Hakamadare Yasusuke, the master thief ·
Condition
Excellent condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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