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 Edo period Japanese woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, c.1845–48, from the Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu series no. 28, Ōban format about 36 × 24 cm, with strong impression and excellent colours, minor repair and foxing, published by Ibaya Senzaburō (Dansendō) with carving by Hori Fusajirō and text by Ryūkatei Tanekazu; private collection provenance.
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Description from the seller
** Kanawa Gorō Imakuni and the poisoned sake, a famous scene from the kabuki classic Imoseyama Onna Teikin **
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), signed Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画)
Title: Poem by Minamoto no Muneyuki Ason: Kanawa Gorō Imakuni (源宗于朝臣 金輪五郎今国)
Series: Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu (小倉擬百人一首), The Hundred Poets Compared, no. 28
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). A small minor repair and small foxing is noted. Very good overall! Please check the images!
________________________________________________
THE SCENE
Poem 28 is by the Heian courtier Minamoto no Muneyuki (d. 940), a grandson of Emperor Kōkō. It is one of the best-known winter poems in the anthology:
In the mountain village, loneliness grows deepest in winter, when I think how the visitors have gone and the grasses have withered.
Kuniyoshi links the poem to Imoseyama Onna Teikin, a play first staged for the puppet theatre in 1771 and soon taken up by kabuki. The play is set around the downfall of the tyrant Soga no Iruka in 645. Kanawa Gorō Imakuni is a loyal retainer of Fujiwara no Kamatari. According to Tanekazu's text on the sheet, when Iruka tried to seize imperial power and built a new palace on Mount Mikasa in Yamato, Imakuni disguised himself as Fukashichi, a fisherman from the Kumano coast, made his way inside, and helped his lord bring Iruka down.
The Rijksmuseum describes this design as Imakuni pouring poisoned sake over plants, and Degener describes him pouring sake onto the ground from a ladle. This is how the print answers the riddle: the poem's withered grasses become the plants killed by the poison meant for him.
________________________________________________
ABOUT THE 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.
** Kanawa Gorō Imakuni and the poisoned sake, a famous scene from the kabuki classic Imoseyama Onna Teikin **
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861), signed Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画)
Title: Poem by Minamoto no Muneyuki Ason: Kanawa Gorō Imakuni (源宗于朝臣 金輪五郎今国)
Series: Ogura nazorae hyakunin isshu (小倉擬百人一首), The Hundred Poets Compared, no. 28
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). A small minor repair and small foxing is noted. Very good overall! Please check the images!
________________________________________________
THE SCENE
Poem 28 is by the Heian courtier Minamoto no Muneyuki (d. 940), a grandson of Emperor Kōkō. It is one of the best-known winter poems in the anthology:
In the mountain village, loneliness grows deepest in winter, when I think how the visitors have gone and the grasses have withered.
Kuniyoshi links the poem to Imoseyama Onna Teikin, a play first staged for the puppet theatre in 1771 and soon taken up by kabuki. The play is set around the downfall of the tyrant Soga no Iruka in 645. Kanawa Gorō Imakuni is a loyal retainer of Fujiwara no Kamatari. According to Tanekazu's text on the sheet, when Iruka tried to seize imperial power and built a new palace on Mount Mikasa in Yamato, Imakuni disguised himself as Fukashichi, a fisherman from the Kumano coast, made his way inside, and helped his lord bring Iruka down.
The Rijksmuseum describes this design as Imakuni pouring poisoned sake over plants, and Degener describes him pouring sake onto the ground from a ladle. This is how the print answers the riddle: the poem's withered grasses become the plants killed by the poison meant for him.
________________________________________________
ABOUT THE 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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