KUNIYOSHI - 100 Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets - c. 1845–48 - Japanese Woodblock - 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 € 150 - € 250
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Original Utagawa Kuniyoshi woodblock print from the Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu series, dated c.1845–48 in the Edo period, oban approximately 36 × 24 cm, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
** A fine Kuniyoshi design from the great three-master collaboration of the 1840s, the legendary handsome swordsman of Edo theatre **
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), signed Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画)
Title: Poem by Abe no Nakamaro: Nagoya Sanzaburō (安倍仲麿 名古屋山三郎)
Series: Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu – Ogura Imitations of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets (小倉擬百人一首), No. 7
Date: Japan, c. 1845–48 (late Edo period)
Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō (Dansendō)
Carver: Hori Fusajirō (彫工房次郎)
Text: Ryūkatei Tanekazu (柳下亭種員)
Format: Ōban, approx. 36 × 24 cm
________________________________________________
CONDITION
Strong impression with excellent colors across the sheet. The paper has a very light backing (Edo Paper). One minor loss at the upper margin outside the image area. Very good overall! Please check the images!
________________________________________________
THE SCENE
The poem in the upper panel is one of the most famous in Japanese literature. Abe no Nakamaro (c. 698–770) travelled to China as a young scholar and served at the Tang court for the rest of his life. He never made it back home. His verse looks up at the moon from China and remembers the same moon rising over Mount Mikasa at Kasuga, near the old capital Nara:
When I look up into the wide plain of heaven, is it the same moon that rose over Mount Mikasa at Kasuga?
Kuniyoshi pairs this poem of exile with the story of Nagoya Sanzaburō, which Tanekazu summarises in the text block. Sanzaburō was a retainer of the Sasaki family of Takashima in Ōmi Province. His father, Sanzaemon, was killed by Fuwa Banzaemon, a retainer of the same house. Sanzaburō then lived as a wandering rōnin in great hardship. With the loyal support of the courtesan Katsuragi-dayū of the Kamibayashi house in Kyoto's Shimabara pleasure quarter, he finally took his revenge on the embankment at Suzakuno.
A historical Nagoya Sanzaburō lived around 1600. He was remembered as one of the most beautiful men of his age and is linked in legend to Izumo no Okuni and the beginnings of kabuki. His rivalry with Fuwa Banzaemon became a favourite kabuki subject, and Edo audiences knew the story well.
________________________________________________
About the Taiheiki Heroes Series:
The Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu is one of the few series in which the three leading masters of the 1840s worked side by side: Kuniyoshi designed 51 sheets, Hiroshige 35 and Kunisada 14. Instead of portraying the classical poets themselves, each print pairs one of the hundred poems with a scene from history, legend or kabuki, and the viewer is invited to work out the connection, almost like a riddle. A short narrative text on each sheet tells the story behind the picture. Kuniyoshi's contributions are known for their strong figure compositions and storytelling, and each sheet joins a classical poem to a dramatic tale.
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.
** A fine Kuniyoshi design from the great three-master collaboration of the 1840s, the legendary handsome swordsman of Edo theatre **
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), signed Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画)
Title: Poem by Abe no Nakamaro: Nagoya Sanzaburō (安倍仲麿 名古屋山三郎)
Series: Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu – Ogura Imitations of One Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets (小倉擬百人一首), No. 7
Date: Japan, c. 1845–48 (late Edo period)
Publisher: Ibaya Senzaburō (Dansendō)
Carver: Hori Fusajirō (彫工房次郎)
Text: Ryūkatei Tanekazu (柳下亭種員)
Format: Ōban, approx. 36 × 24 cm
________________________________________________
CONDITION
Strong impression with excellent colors across the sheet. The paper has a very light backing (Edo Paper). One minor loss at the upper margin outside the image area. Very good overall! Please check the images!
________________________________________________
THE SCENE
The poem in the upper panel is one of the most famous in Japanese literature. Abe no Nakamaro (c. 698–770) travelled to China as a young scholar and served at the Tang court for the rest of his life. He never made it back home. His verse looks up at the moon from China and remembers the same moon rising over Mount Mikasa at Kasuga, near the old capital Nara:
When I look up into the wide plain of heaven, is it the same moon that rose over Mount Mikasa at Kasuga?
Kuniyoshi pairs this poem of exile with the story of Nagoya Sanzaburō, which Tanekazu summarises in the text block. Sanzaburō was a retainer of the Sasaki family of Takashima in Ōmi Province. His father, Sanzaemon, was killed by Fuwa Banzaemon, a retainer of the same house. Sanzaburō then lived as a wandering rōnin in great hardship. With the loyal support of the courtesan Katsuragi-dayū of the Kamibayashi house in Kyoto's Shimabara pleasure quarter, he finally took his revenge on the embankment at Suzakuno.
A historical Nagoya Sanzaburō lived around 1600. He was remembered as one of the most beautiful men of his age and is linked in legend to Izumo no Okuni and the beginnings of kabuki. His rivalry with Fuwa Banzaemon became a favourite kabuki subject, and Edo audiences knew the story well.
________________________________________________
About the Taiheiki Heroes Series:
The Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu is one of the few series in which the three leading masters of the 1840s worked side by side: Kuniyoshi designed 51 sheets, Hiroshige 35 and Kunisada 14. Instead of portraying the classical poets themselves, each print pairs one of the hundred poems with a scene from history, legend or kabuki, and the viewer is invited to work out the connection, almost like a riddle. A short narrative text on each sheet tells the story behind the picture. Kuniyoshi's contributions are known for their strong figure compositions and storytelling, and each sheet joins a classical poem to a dramatic tale.
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)
Country of Origin
Japan
Attribution
Original
Title of artwork
KUNIYOSHI - 100 Hundred Poems by One Hundred Poets - c. 1845–48 - Japanese Woodblock
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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