国貞 – 袋井：桜ヶ池の伝説 – 東海道五十三対 – c. - Japan - Edo Period (1600-1868)
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An original Japanese colour woodblock print by Utagawa Kunisada, signing as Toyokuni III, depicts Fukuroi and the legend of Sakura-ga-ike in the Tōkaidō gojūsan tsui series, dating to around 1845–46.
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Description from the seller
Artist: Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞), signing as Toyokuni III (三代豊国)
Signature: Kōchōrō Toyokuni ga (香蝶楼豊国画), with toshidama seal
Series: Tōkaidō gojūsan tsui (東海道五十三対), Fifty-three Pairings for the Tōkaidō Road
Title: Fukuroi – Sakura-ga-ike no yurai (袋井 桜か池の由来), Fukuroi: The Legend of Sakura-ga-ike
Date: c. 1845–46 (Kōka 2–3)
Publisher: Iseya Ichiemon (伊勢市, Iseichi)
Carver: Horikō Fusajirō (彫工房次郎), Matsushima Fusajirō
Censor seal: Mura (村)
References: Marks, Kunisada’s Tōkaidō (2013), T78-28; Robinson, Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints (1982), S44.28
Technique: Nishiki-e, colour woodblock print on Japanese washi
Format: Ōban tate-e (vertical)
Size: 36.5 x 24.5 cm
________________________________________
CONDITION
Very good impression with well saturated colours. The sheet has some soiling and toning; otherwise well preserved. A fine impression overall!
________________________________________
About the Print
Around 1845, the three leading designers of the Utagawa school, Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi and Kunisada, worked together on Fifty-three Pairings for the Tōkaidō Road. Instead of landscapes, each station of the great highway is paired with a legend, a historical episode or a theatrical scene connected to the place. B. W. Robinson counted about 58 sheets in the series: 31 by Kuniyoshi, 19 by Hiroshige, and only 8 by Kunisada. This makes Kunisada’s designs the scarcest part of the set. This sheet is one of them and represents Fukuroi, the 28th print of the series.
The text in the inset tells the history of Sakura-ga-ike, the “Cherry Tree Pond” in Tōtōmi province (today’s Omaezaki, Shizuoka). According to local tradition, the Tendai monk Kōen Ajari entered the pond in 1169. Kōen was a priest of Mount Hiei and the teacher of Hōnen, the founder of Pure Land Buddhism. Convinced that only the future Buddha Maitreya could save humanity, Kōen took the form of a long-lived serpent-dragon so that he could wait in the water for Maitreya’s coming. His pupil Hōnen later honoured him at the nearby temple Ōshōkyō-in. The legend is counted among the “Seven Wonders of Enshū”, and it is still commemorated at the pond today. Robinson catalogues the design as “Hōnen Shōnin and an apparition”.
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: Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞), signing as Toyokuni III (三代豊国)
Signature: Kōchōrō Toyokuni ga (香蝶楼豊国画), with toshidama seal
Series: Tōkaidō gojūsan tsui (東海道五十三対), Fifty-three Pairings for the Tōkaidō Road
Title: Fukuroi – Sakura-ga-ike no yurai (袋井 桜か池の由来), Fukuroi: The Legend of Sakura-ga-ike
Date: c. 1845–46 (Kōka 2–3)
Publisher: Iseya Ichiemon (伊勢市, Iseichi)
Carver: Horikō Fusajirō (彫工房次郎), Matsushima Fusajirō
Censor seal: Mura (村)
References: Marks, Kunisada’s Tōkaidō (2013), T78-28; Robinson, Kuniyoshi: The Warrior-Prints (1982), S44.28
Technique: Nishiki-e, colour woodblock print on Japanese washi
Format: Ōban tate-e (vertical)
Size: 36.5 x 24.5 cm
________________________________________
CONDITION
Very good impression with well saturated colours. The sheet has some soiling and toning; otherwise well preserved. A fine impression overall!
________________________________________
About the Print
Around 1845, the three leading designers of the Utagawa school, Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi and Kunisada, worked together on Fifty-three Pairings for the Tōkaidō Road. Instead of landscapes, each station of the great highway is paired with a legend, a historical episode or a theatrical scene connected to the place. B. W. Robinson counted about 58 sheets in the series: 31 by Kuniyoshi, 19 by Hiroshige, and only 8 by Kunisada. This makes Kunisada’s designs the scarcest part of the set. This sheet is one of them and represents Fukuroi, the 28th print of the series.
The text in the inset tells the history of Sakura-ga-ike, the “Cherry Tree Pond” in Tōtōmi province (today’s Omaezaki, Shizuoka). According to local tradition, the Tendai monk Kōen Ajari entered the pond in 1169. Kōen was a priest of Mount Hiei and the teacher of Hōnen, the founder of Pure Land Buddhism. Convinced that only the future Buddha Maitreya could save humanity, Kōen took the form of a long-lived serpent-dragon so that he could wait in the water for Maitreya’s coming. His pupil Hōnen later honoured him at the nearby temple Ōshōkyō-in. The legend is counted among the “Seven Wonders of Enshū”, and it is still commemorated at the pond today. Robinson catalogues the design as “Hōnen Shōnin and an apparition”.
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
王朝様式/時代
Edo Period (1600-1868)
原産国
Japan
帰属
Original
高さ
36 cm
幅
24 cm
作品タイトル
KUNISADA – Fukuroi: The Legend of Sakura-ga-ike – Fifty-three Pairings for the Tōkaidō Road – c.
コンディション
Good condition
来歴
Private collection
Authenticity
Original/official
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