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Japanese woodblock

Jasper52 presents online auction devoted to Japanese woodblock prints Jan. 8

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf

 

Daniel Kelly, Ebisu’ (God of Fishermen), 2011, Japanese woodblock and kimono fabric on handmade Thai paper, 19 x 36 inches. Estimate: $1,200-$1,500. Jasper52image
Daniel Kelly, ‘Ebisu’ (God of Fishermen), 2011, Japanese woodblock and kimono fabric on handmade Thai paper, 19 x 36 inches. Estimate: $1,200-$1,500. Jasper52image

 

NEW YORK – Jasper52 will present a collection of colorful Japanese woodblock prints in an online auction on Sunday, Jan. 8. Absentee and Internet live bidding is available exclusively through LiveAuctioneers.

With this array of 19th-21st century woodblock prints, bidders can 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.

One of the contemporary works in the sale is by Daniel Kelly (born 1947), an American artist based in Kyoto, Japan. He created Ebisu (God of Fishermen) (above) in 2011.

Hiroaki Takahashi (Shotei) (1871-1945) was the first artist to be signed under the publisher Watanabe Shozaburo. He also produced and exhibited original paintings and also worked as an illustrator of scientific textbooks, magazines and newspapers. His print of a cat titled Tama first appeared in 1924; the print edition in the auction was published circa 1946-1957.

 

Hiroaki Takahashi (Shotei), ‘Tama,’ 1924, edition circa 1946-57, 9.3 x 13.2 inches, series: ‘Japanese scenes on Tanzaku.’ Estimate: $800-$1,200. Jasper 52 image
Hiroaki Takahashi (Shotei), ‘Tama,’ 1924, edition circa 1946-57, 9.3 x 13.2 inches, series: ‘Japanese scenes on Tanzaku.’ Estimate: $800-$1,200. Jasper 52 image

 

Torii Kotondo (1900-1976) was trained in the tradition of kabuki actor portraits and translated this training into his famous portraits of beautiful women. An example, titled Rain (Ame), is included in the auction. The winning bidder of this lot will receive a free bonus print to be chosen by the seller.

 

Torii Kotondo, ‘Rain’ (Ame), 1929, later limited edition of 100 prints, circa 1980s, 10.25 x 15.8 inches, published by Ishukankokai. Estimate: $200-$300. Jasper52 image
Torii Kotondo, ‘Rain’ (Ame), 1929, later limited edition of 100 prints, circa 1980s, 10.25 x 15.8 inches, published by Ishukankokai. Estimate: $200-$300. Jasper52 image

 

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Taiso) (1839-1892) was a Japanese artist often considered as the last great master of the ukiyo-e movement of woodblock printing and painting. The term ukiyo-e translates to “pictures of the floating world” and refers to a genre of Japanese art with a wide span of imagery such as kabuki actors, folk tales, landscapes, and even erotica. This movement was critical in forming the Western perception of Japanese art.

 

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, ‘A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures,’ 1886, Oban diptych 14.25 x 18.8 inches, published by Tsunashima. Estimate: $1,500-$1,800. Jasper52 image
Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, ‘A New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures,’ 1886, Oban diptych 14.25 x 18.8 inches, published by Tsunashima. Estimate: $1,500-$1,800. Jasper52 image

 

Utagawa Yoshifuji’s depiction of the renowned fight between Ushiwakamaru (better known as Minamoto Yoshitsune) and the monk Benkei is one of the highlights of the sale. The diptych, printed in 1854, comes with a preliminary drawing of the right panel. Yoshifuji specialized in pictures of warriors, and also illustrated children’s books.

 

Utagawa Yoshifuji, ‘Minamoto Yoshitsune Fighting Benkei on Gojo Bridge,’ 1854, Oban diptych 14.25 x 19 inches, signed ‘Ipposai Yoshifuji ga.’ Estimate: $2,000-$2,500. Jasper52 image
Utagawa Yoshifuji, ‘Minamoto Yoshitsune Fighting Benkei on Gojo Bridge,’ 1854, Oban diptych 14.25 x 19 inches, signed ‘Ipposai Yoshifuji ga.’ Estimate: $2,000-$2,500. Jasper52 image

 

Utagawa Yoshitora was a designer of ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints and an illustrator of books and newspapers who was active from about 1850 to about 1880. In the print Pictures for the 53 Stations of the Tokaido (below) he complements the illustration with calligraphy.

 

Utagawa Yoshitora, ‘Calligraphy and Pictures for the 53 Stations of the Tokaido,’ 1872, Oban tate-e 14.4 x 9.5 inches, signed ‘Yoshitora’ with artist seal, publisher's seal: Sawamura Seikichi. Estimate: $1,500-$1,800. Jasper52 image
Utagawa Yoshitora, ‘Calligraphy and Pictures for the 53 Stations of the Tokaido,’ 1872, Oban tate-e 14.4 x 9.5 inches, signed ‘Yoshitora’ with artist seal, publisher’s seal: Sawamura Seikichi. Estimate: $1,500-$1,800. Jasper52 image

 

The auction will begin at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time on Jan. 8.

 

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Japanese woodblock