Skip to content
Japan

Classic Japanese woodblock prints comprise Jasper52 auction Nov. 20

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Takahashi Shotei, ‘Two Herons and Reeds in Marsh,’ 7.2 x 4.8 inches, published by Watanabe. Estimate: $75-$150. Jasper52 image
Takahashi Shotei, ‘Two Herons and Reeds in Marsh,’ 7.2 x 4.8 inches, published by Watanabe. Estimate: $75-$150. Jasper52 image

 

NEW YORK – Jasper52 will present an outstanding collection of 19th-20th century Japanese woodblock prints at an online-only auction on Sunday, Nov. 20. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.com.

With this array of 19th-20th century woodblock prints, discover how Japanese print makers impacted the development of modern art. Featuring names like Hiroshige and Yoshida, this sale reveals nuanced techniques and traditional Japanese values. Whether capturing the serenity of a temple or a moonlit ocean, these images exemplify both fine art and elegant decoration.

The auction will open with a print titled Two Herons and Reeds in Marsh (above), a 1936 work by Takahashi Shotei (1871-1945), who produced many landscapes in the Edo-era style.

Also by Takahashi Shotei is his woodblock print titled Insect Seller in Summer Evening. The 15-by-6 3/4-inch print (below) from the 1930s is estimated at $500-$600.

 

Takahashi Shotei, ‘Insect Seller in Summer Evening,’ 1930s, published by Watanabe. Estimate: $500-$600. Jasper52 image
Takahashi Shotei, ‘Insect Seller in Summer Evening,’ 1930s, published by Watanabe. Estimate: $500-$600. Jasper52 image

 

One of the earliest lots in the auction is a circa 1804 woodblock print album from the Edo period by Katsushika Hokusai. His ‘Pictures of Sumida River Series’ consists of 13 woodblock prints (below).

 

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), an accordian album composed of 13 prints from the ‘Pictures of Sumida River Series,’1804, each page is 6 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches. Estimate: $1,000-$1,200. Jasper52 image
Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), an accordian album composed of 13 prints from the ‘Pictures of Sumida River Series,’ 1804, each page is 6 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches. Estimate: $1,000-$1,200. Jasper52 image

 

Another 19th century woodblock print in the auction is by Utagawa Hirokage titled Catching Fireflies (below). Active from about 1855 to 1865, he was best known for his humorous prints that featured pratfalls and accidents.

 

Utagawa Hirokage, ‘Catching Fireflies,’ circa 1860, 9.9 inches by 14.3 inches. Estimate: $100-$200. Jasper52 image
Utagawa Hirokage, ‘Catching Fireflies,’ circa 1860, 9.9 inches by 14.3 inches. Estimate: $100-$200. Jasper52 image

 

Two mid-20th century woodblock prints are featured in the auction. The first is by Shiuro Kasamatsu titled Spring Evening at Tokyo Ueno Park, circa 1948. The work (below) measures 15 1/2 by 10 7/8 inches.

 

Shiro Kasamatsu, ‘Spring Evening at Tokyo Ueno Park, published by Kinjiro, circa 1948. Estimate: $700-$800. Jasper52 image
Shiro Kasamatsu, ‘Spring Evening at Tokyo Ueno Park, published by Kinjiro, circa 1948. Estimate: $700-$800. Jasper52 image

 

The second is Autumn in Funatsu by Hasui Kawase, published by Watanabe in 1953. This print (below) measures 15 1/2 by 10 1/2 inches.

 

Hasui Kawase, ‘Autumn in Funatsu,’ 1953. Estimate: $900-$1,000. Jasper52 image
Hasui Kawase, ‘Autumn in Funatsu,’ 1953. Estimate: $900-$1,000. Jasper52 image

 

As in all Jasper52 auctions, bidding starts at $1.

 

[av_button label=’Click meView the fully illustrated catalog and bid on LiveAuctioneers.’ link=’manually,http://bit.ly/2fQE1b2′ link_target=’_blank’ size=’medium’ position=’center’ icon_select=’no’ icon=’ue800′ font=’entypo-fontello’ color=’theme-color’ custom_bg=’#444444′ custom_font=’#ffffff’ av_uid=’av-wggqtb’]