KUNIYOSHI . RARE . Snow, Moon and Flowers . Moon . auth Japanese - 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 € 200 - € 300
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Original Japanese woodblock print by Utagawa Kuniyoshi from the Untitled series of Snow, Moon and Flowers (Moon), circa 1851–52, Ōban format about 36 × 25 cm, publisher Masuda-ya Ginjirō seal, in good condition.
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Description from the seller
** This is a scarce design by Kuniyoshi from a little-known series that rarely appears on the international market. The set is not recorded in B. W. Robinson's standard catalogue of the artist's work, and impressions are seldom seen outside a few museum collections. The impression is strong, with lovely indigo tones. The whole series is documented on Kuniyoshiproject under Untitled Series of Snow, Moon, and Flowers **
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳), 1797–1861
Series: Untitled series of Snow, Moon and Flowers (Setsugekka, 雪月花)
Title: Tsuki (月) – "Moon"
Subject: A beauty looking at the moon's reflection in the water
Date: c. 1851–52 (Kaei 4–5)
Publisher: Masuda-ya Ginjirō (増田屋銀次郎), seal Shiba Masugin (芝増銀)
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), nishiki-e (polychrome)
Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. [36 × 25 cm]
Signature / seals: Signed Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画); two censor seals; publisher's seal
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Condition
Very good colour and impression with seals clearly readible. The paper is firm and subtle with minor toning and scuff. There are around 3 minor repairs barely visible on the frontside. Very good overall! Please check the images!
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THE PRINT
Snow, moon and flowers (setsugekka) is one of the oldest groupings in Japanese art. It goes back to a line by the Tang poet Bai Juyi, in which he remembers the friends he shared these three seasonal pleasures with. In Japan the three became a standard set of themes for poetry, painting and the decorative arts. In the Edo period, print publishers often used them for sets of three beauties, one sheet for each theme.
Kuniyoshi designed this set for Masuda-ya Ginjirō in 1851–52, in the last decade of his career. Each sheet shows one woman with one of the three themes: snow, moon and cherry blossom. The Kuniyoshi Project describes the Moon sheet as a beauty looking at the moon's reflection in the water. The set does not appear in B. W. Robinson's standard catalogue Kuniyoshi (1961), and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston holds an impression of the Moon design.
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.
** This is a scarce design by Kuniyoshi from a little-known series that rarely appears on the international market. The set is not recorded in B. W. Robinson's standard catalogue of the artist's work, and impressions are seldom seen outside a few museum collections. The impression is strong, with lovely indigo tones. The whole series is documented on Kuniyoshiproject under Untitled Series of Snow, Moon, and Flowers **
Artist: Utagawa Kuniyoshi (歌川国芳), 1797–1861
Series: Untitled series of Snow, Moon and Flowers (Setsugekka, 雪月花)
Title: Tsuki (月) – "Moon"
Subject: A beauty looking at the moon's reflection in the water
Date: c. 1851–52 (Kaei 4–5)
Publisher: Masuda-ya Ginjirō (増田屋銀次郎), seal Shiba Masugin (芝増銀)
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), nishiki-e (polychrome)
Format: Ōban tate-e, approx. [36 × 25 cm]
Signature / seals: Signed Ichiyūsai Kuniyoshi ga (一勇斎国芳画); two censor seals; publisher's seal
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Condition
Very good colour and impression with seals clearly readible. The paper is firm and subtle with minor toning and scuff. There are around 3 minor repairs barely visible on the frontside. Very good overall! Please check the images!
---------------------------------------------------------------------
THE PRINT
Snow, moon and flowers (setsugekka) is one of the oldest groupings in Japanese art. It goes back to a line by the Tang poet Bai Juyi, in which he remembers the friends he shared these three seasonal pleasures with. In Japan the three became a standard set of themes for poetry, painting and the decorative arts. In the Edo period, print publishers often used them for sets of three beauties, one sheet for each theme.
Kuniyoshi designed this set for Masuda-ya Ginjirō in 1851–52, in the last decade of his career. Each sheet shows one woman with one of the three themes: snow, moon and cherry blossom. The Kuniyoshi Project describes the Moon sheet as a beauty looking at the moon's reflection in the water. The set does not appear in B. W. Robinson's standard catalogue Kuniyoshi (1961), and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston holds an impression of the Moon design.
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
Height
36 cm
Width
24 cm
Title of artwork
KUNIYOSHI . RARE . Snow, Moon and Flowers . Moon . auth Japanese
Condition
Good condition
Authenticity
Original/official
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