Migita Toshihide · Hachi no Ki (The Potted Trees) · Sano Tsuneyo and Hōjō Tokiyori · Meiji 1894 - 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
 | €48 | |
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 | €45 |
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Meiji 1894 Japanese Ōban tate-e diptych by Migita Toshihide, depicting Sano Genzaemon Tsuneyo and Saimyōji Tokiyori from the Eighteen Honourable Men and Deeds series, a colour woodblock print with embossing on the border, two unjoined sheets each approx. 37 × 25 cm, in good condition, original/authentic with provenance from a private collection.
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Description from the seller
Artist: Migita Toshihide (右田年英, 1863–1925)
Title: Sano Genzaemon Tsuneyo and Saimyōji Tokiyori
Series: Eighteen Honourable Men and Deeds
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), colour, with embossing and burnished decoration on the border
Date: Japan, 1894 (Meiji 27)
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon (秋山武右衛門)
Format: Ōban tate-e diptych, two sheets, unjoined; each approx. [37 × 25 cm]
Signature: Ōju Toshihide (応需 年英), with artist's seal
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Condition: Strong impression with well saturated colour throughout. The paper is firm and subtle. Minor scuff on the margins of the right sheet. Very good overall. Please refer to the images for full detail!
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About the print
This diptych illustrates one of the best-known stories of loyalty in Japanese culture, made famous by the Noh play Hachi no Ki (The Potted Trees), traditionally attributed to Zeami. Hōjō Tokiyori (1227–1263), the former regent of the Kamakura shogunate, became a monk under the name Saimyōji. According to legend, he travelled the provinces in disguise to learn how ordinary people were living. One snowy night he asked for shelter at the poor house of Sano Genzaemon Tsuneyo. Tsuneyo was a samurai who had been robbed of his lands by his relatives. Having no firewood, he cut up his three prized potted trees, a plum, a pine and a cherry, to keep his guest warm. He also told the monk that he still kept his old armour, his sword and his thin horse ready, so that he could ride to Kamakura if the shogunate ever needed him.
Some time later, Tokiyori called all his vassals to Kamakura. Tsuneyo arrived in his worn armour. Tokiyori revealed who he really was, gave Tsuneyo back his lands and added three more estates in place of the three trees he had burnt. These estates were Umeda, Sakurai and Matsuida, whose names contain the characters for plum, cherry and pine.
Toshihide shows the climax of the first part of the story: Tsuneyo is about to sacrifice his trees while the disguised regent sits by the fire. The monk's white robe is embossed (karazuri), and the dark border has a burnished pattern.
Toshihide was one of the leading students of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. In the 1890s he was among the most productive designers of historical and war prints. The year this diptych was published, 1894, was also the year the Sino-Japanese War broke out. At that time, prints celebrating loyalty and samurai virtue were very popular.
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: Migita Toshihide (右田年英, 1863–1925)
Title: Sano Genzaemon Tsuneyo and Saimyōji Tokiyori
Series: Eighteen Honourable Men and Deeds
Technique: Woodblock print (nishiki-e), colour, with embossing and burnished decoration on the border
Date: Japan, 1894 (Meiji 27)
Publisher: Akiyama Buemon (秋山武右衛門)
Format: Ōban tate-e diptych, two sheets, unjoined; each approx. [37 × 25 cm]
Signature: Ōju Toshihide (応需 年英), with artist's seal
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition: Strong impression with well saturated colour throughout. The paper is firm and subtle. Minor scuff on the margins of the right sheet. Very good overall. Please refer to the images for full detail!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
About the print
This diptych illustrates one of the best-known stories of loyalty in Japanese culture, made famous by the Noh play Hachi no Ki (The Potted Trees), traditionally attributed to Zeami. Hōjō Tokiyori (1227–1263), the former regent of the Kamakura shogunate, became a monk under the name Saimyōji. According to legend, he travelled the provinces in disguise to learn how ordinary people were living. One snowy night he asked for shelter at the poor house of Sano Genzaemon Tsuneyo. Tsuneyo was a samurai who had been robbed of his lands by his relatives. Having no firewood, he cut up his three prized potted trees, a plum, a pine and a cherry, to keep his guest warm. He also told the monk that he still kept his old armour, his sword and his thin horse ready, so that he could ride to Kamakura if the shogunate ever needed him.
Some time later, Tokiyori called all his vassals to Kamakura. Tsuneyo arrived in his worn armour. Tokiyori revealed who he really was, gave Tsuneyo back his lands and added three more estates in place of the three trees he had burnt. These estates were Umeda, Sakurai and Matsuida, whose names contain the characters for plum, cherry and pine.
Toshihide shows the climax of the first part of the story: Tsuneyo is about to sacrifice his trees while the disguised regent sits by the fire. The monk's white robe is embossed (karazuri), and the dark border has a burnished pattern.
Toshihide was one of the leading students of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. In the 1890s he was among the most productive designers of historical and war prints. The year this diptych was published, 1894, was also the year the Sino-Japanese War broke out. At that time, prints celebrating loyalty and samurai virtue were very popular.
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
Height
36 cm
Width
48 cm
Title of artwork
Migita Toshihide · Hachi no Ki (The Potted Trees) · Sano Tsuneyo and Hōjō Tokiyori · Meiji 1894
Condition
Good condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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