Hiroshige — Famous Restaurants of Edo · Ogura-an at Koume · Tenpō-era landscape - 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 € 300 - € 400
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Woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, titled Hiroshige — Famous Restaurants of Edo · Ogura-an at Koume · Tenpō-era landscape, dating to circa 1838–1840, an original work published by Fujiokaya Hikotarō in Ōban yoko-e format on washi, with a Kiwame censor seal and Hiroshige ga signature with Ichiryūsai seal; in good condition from a private collection.
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Description from the seller
歌川広重 — UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797–1858)
Koume in Honjo: The Ogura-an Restaurant (本所小梅 小倉庵, Honjo Koume, Ogura-an)
From: Famous Restaurants of Edo (江戸高名会亭尽, Edo kōmei kaitei zukushi)
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), polychrome (nishiki-e) on Japanese washi
Date: c. 1838–1840 (Tenpō 9–11)
Publisher: Fujiokaya Hikotarō (藤岡屋彦太郎, Fujihiko), seal 藤彦
Censor: Kiwame (極) seal
Signature: Hiroshige ga (広重画), with Ichiryūsai (一立斎) seal
Format: Ōban yoko-e (approx. 24 × 36 cm / 9.5 × 14 in.)
__________________________________________________________
CONDITION
The colours are fairly well preserved and the impression reads well. There are some remnants of toned backing paper on the verso and a minor centre fold. The paper is firm and supple. Good overall.
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The Place — Dining by the Water in Honjo
Koume was a quiet district in Honjo, on the east bank of the Sumida River, outside the crowded centre of Edo. Ogura-an was one of its well-known restaurants, a place townspeople reached for an outing away from the city. The fan-shaped cartouche carries a comic verse (kyōku) by a poet named Ōgimatsu. It plays on the restaurant's popularity: drinkers and non-drinkers alike, a hundred people come to Ogura-an to enjoy the cool.
The Series — Edo's Celebrated Restaurants
Hiroshige designed this series of about thirty sheets for the publisher Fujiokaya Hikotarō in the late Tenpō era. Each sheet pairs a famous Edo restaurant with its surroundings, so that the viewer can recognise both the establishment and the landmark beside it. Each design also carries a kyōka or kyōku poem in a decorative cartouche. The series was likely sponsored by poetry circles who met at these restaurants. It records the dining culture of Edo's merchant class just before the Tenpō Reforms of 1841–1843 restricted luxury and entertainment. It is one of Hiroshige's most attractive groups of Edo views from his mature period. Examples of this sheet are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
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.
歌川広重 — UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE (1797–1858)
Koume in Honjo: The Ogura-an Restaurant (本所小梅 小倉庵, Honjo Koume, Ogura-an)
From: Famous Restaurants of Edo (江戸高名会亭尽, Edo kōmei kaitei zukushi)
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), polychrome (nishiki-e) on Japanese washi
Date: c. 1838–1840 (Tenpō 9–11)
Publisher: Fujiokaya Hikotarō (藤岡屋彦太郎, Fujihiko), seal 藤彦
Censor: Kiwame (極) seal
Signature: Hiroshige ga (広重画), with Ichiryūsai (一立斎) seal
Format: Ōban yoko-e (approx. 24 × 36 cm / 9.5 × 14 in.)
__________________________________________________________
CONDITION
The colours are fairly well preserved and the impression reads well. There are some remnants of toned backing paper on the verso and a minor centre fold. The paper is firm and supple. Good overall.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The Place — Dining by the Water in Honjo
Koume was a quiet district in Honjo, on the east bank of the Sumida River, outside the crowded centre of Edo. Ogura-an was one of its well-known restaurants, a place townspeople reached for an outing away from the city. The fan-shaped cartouche carries a comic verse (kyōku) by a poet named Ōgimatsu. It plays on the restaurant's popularity: drinkers and non-drinkers alike, a hundred people come to Ogura-an to enjoy the cool.
The Series — Edo's Celebrated Restaurants
Hiroshige designed this series of about thirty sheets for the publisher Fujiokaya Hikotarō in the late Tenpō era. Each sheet pairs a famous Edo restaurant with its surroundings, so that the viewer can recognise both the establishment and the landmark beside it. Each design also carries a kyōka or kyōku poem in a decorative cartouche. The series was likely sponsored by poetry circles who met at these restaurants. It records the dining culture of Edo's merchant class just before the Tenpō Reforms of 1841–1843 restricted luxury and entertainment. It is one of Hiroshige's most attractive groups of Edo views from his mature period. Examples of this sheet are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
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
Hiroshige — Famous Restaurants of Edo · Ogura-an at Koume · Tenpō-era landscape
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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