Kunisada • View of Ishiyakushi • Bijin Tōkaidō • Japanese Woodblock Print - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
01
day
16
hours
54
minutes
23
seconds
Current bid
€ 60
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Giovanni Bottero
Holds a master’s in Japanese art history with over 10 years’ expertise in Asian art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €60 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €50 |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 145414 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
This original polychrome woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada, depicting Ishiyakushi from the Bijin Tōkaidō series, dates to around 1838 and measures 26 × 18.5 cm.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞 / 三代豊国, 1786–1865), signed Kōchōrō Kunisada ga (香蝶楼 国貞画)
Titel: View of Ishiyakushi (石薬師ノ図)
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), polychrome (nishiki-e)
Date: ca. 1838 (Tenpō 9)
Publisher: Sanoya Kihei (佐野屋喜兵衛 / Kikakudō)
Format: Chūban tate-e, approx. 25.7 × 18.5 cm (10.1 × 7.3 inches)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Condition
Impression & Colours: A well-preserved impression with good colour saturation throughout.
Paper: Very good. The washi is firm and supple, exceptionally well preserved for a print approaching 190 years of age.
----------------------------------------------------------
The print
In this series Kunisada placed a beautiful woman in front of each station of the Tōkaidō, the highway between Edo and Kyoto. Most of the landscape backgrounds are taken from Hiroshige’s famous Hōeidō edition of the Fifty-three Stations. The set combines two of the most popular genres of the time, the bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) and the travel landscape. It was published by Sanoya Kihei in the vertical chūban format, and impressions are held in the Honolulu Museum of Art, MFA Boston and the Museum für angewandte Kunst in Vienna.
Ishiyakushi, in Ise province (today Suzuka, Mie prefecture), was one of the smallest stations on the whole road, with only about fifteen inns. The town took its name from the temple Ishiyakushi-ji, whose stone image of Yakushi, the Buddha of healing, made it a stop for pilgrims as well as travellers.
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.
Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞 / 三代豊国, 1786–1865), signed Kōchōrō Kunisada ga (香蝶楼 国貞画)
Titel: View of Ishiyakushi (石薬師ノ図)
Technique: Woodblock print (mokuhanga), polychrome (nishiki-e)
Date: ca. 1838 (Tenpō 9)
Publisher: Sanoya Kihei (佐野屋喜兵衛 / Kikakudō)
Format: Chūban tate-e, approx. 25.7 × 18.5 cm (10.1 × 7.3 inches)
----------------------------------------------------------------
Condition
Impression & Colours: A well-preserved impression with good colour saturation throughout.
Paper: Very good. The washi is firm and supple, exceptionally well preserved for a print approaching 190 years of age.
----------------------------------------------------------
The print
In this series Kunisada placed a beautiful woman in front of each station of the Tōkaidō, the highway between Edo and Kyoto. Most of the landscape backgrounds are taken from Hiroshige’s famous Hōeidō edition of the Fifty-three Stations. The set combines two of the most popular genres of the time, the bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) and the travel landscape. It was published by Sanoya Kihei in the vertical chūban format, and impressions are held in the Honolulu Museum of Art, MFA Boston and the Museum für angewandte Kunst in Vienna.
Ishiyakushi, in Ise province (today Suzuka, Mie prefecture), was one of the smallest stations on the whole road, with only about fifteen inns. The town took its name from the temple Ishiyakushi-ji, whose stone image of Yakushi, the Buddha of healing, made it a stop for pilgrims as well as travellers.
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
26 cm
Width
18.5 cm
Title of artwork
Kunisada • View of Ishiyakushi • Bijin Tōkaidō • Japanese Woodblock Print
Condition
Fair condition
Provenance
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
