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Utagawa Kunisada, 'The Tama River at Chofu,' from a set of triptychs released in 1854, $2,500-$3,000. Image courtesy Jasper52

Elite collection of Japanese woodblock prints entered in March 31 sale

Wyatt Barrett
Wyatt Barrett
Utagawa Kunisada, 'The Tama River at Chofu,' from a set of triptychs released in 1854, $2,500-$3,000. Image courtesy Jasper52
Utagawa Kunisada, ‘The Tama River at Chofu,’ from a set of triptychs released in 1854, $2,500-$3,000. Image courtesy Jasper52

NEW YORK — Jasper52 launches an elite collection of Japanese woodblock prints March 31 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern. Discover why Japanese printmakers impacted the development of modern art across names like Hasui Kawase, Kogyo and Isoda Koryusai. 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. Online bidding is available exclusively through LiveAuctioneers. A top lot includes The Tama River at Chofu (now Tokyo Metropolis) by Utagawa Kunisada. Part of a set of triptychs entitled Famous Places of Musashi, this impression is from the original 1854 edition. As an oban triptych, this item is expected to realize $2,500-$3,000.

An amazing collection of oban-size prints can be found in the next lot, A Book of Drawings of Flowers and Birds by Kono Bairei (1844-1895). These woodblock prints total 25 (only seven are depicted on the auction page), plus a table of contents and last page colophon. This second edition is dated December 24, 1899, and is expected to bring $2,000-$2,500.

Kono Bairei (1844-1895), 'A Book of Drawings of Flowers and Birds,' 1899, $2,000-$2,500. Image courtesy Jasper52
Kono Bairei (1844-1895), ‘A Book of Drawings of Flowers and Birds,’ 1899, $2,000-$2,500. Image courtesy Jasper52

A later example of the woodcut print artform is Odai Ferry in Tokyo by Takashi Ito (1894-1983). This circa-1930 design is marked with a special publisher’s seal indicating immediate postwar printing (circa 1945-1950). It is expected to bring $1,100-$1,500.

Takashi Ito (1894-1983), 'Odai Ferry in Tokyo,' circa 1945-1950, $1,100-$1,500. Image courtesy Jasper52
Takashi Ito (1894-1983), ‘Odai Ferry in Tokyo,’ circa 1945-1950, $1,100-$1,500. Image courtesy Jasper52

There’s something enticing for every Japanese woodcut print collector in this Jasper52 auction event. Click here to sign up now to bid; the action begins March 31 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern, available exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

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