Details
VARIÿOUS ARTISTS: various formats; an album (48.2 x 21.7 cm.) mounted with eighty-four surimono by various artists, with a manuscript preface signed Tsurunoya (probably Tsurunoya Osamaru, the leader of the Tsurunoya poetry group of Osaka). The manuscript preface can be loosely translated as follows:
"Though examples of calligraphy of distinguished Chinese artists are rather devoid of pleasure, they are treated as treasures and the determination of their authenticity is quite difficult ... in contrast, this album is most entertaining. The owner of this album, Rissan or Kurizo), has gathered together single sheets of surimono in which jeweled leaves of words of humorous verses (zareuta) written by witty people of the present age have been matched with illustrations rendered in expert brushwork. In the case of this album, rather than call upon the pedantry of the manuscripts, here the evidence stands on its own ... I merely serve here as a witness.
Tsurunoya
inscribed with a stylised crane, the emblem of the Tsurunoya poetry group
The individual prints are in order, top to bottom, right to left, as follows:
ÿ. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Itayagai "the board roof shell", from the series Genroku kasen kai awase, "A matching game of Genroku poem shells", with poems by Shukeisha Higaku and Shuchodo Monoyana, signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- very good impression, slightly faded
2. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; a still-life depicting a mirror case, a portable brush and ink case and a spray of plum blossom, with poems by Rissan, Koshika (?), Kadomaru (an Osaka poet) and Magaki (Kikunoya Magaki), signed Shinsai -- very good impression, slightly faded
3. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; a boy riding a giant carp, accompanied by poems by Kikunoya Maemi (a Kyoto poet) and Kyokado, signed Shinsai -- good impression, slightly faded and toned
4. KATSUKAWA SHUNTEI: kakuban; Momotaro with a millet dumpling, from the series Mukashibanashi chijin'yu "Wisdom, benevolence and bravery in fairy tales", accompanied by poems by Tetsunoya Okenari, Matsunoya Hananari, Kanenoya Terunari and Kyokado, signed konomi ni tsuki Shuntei ga -- good impression, slightly faded and toned (see nos. 52 and 63 for surimono from the same series)
5. NISHIKAWA CHIHARU: kakuban; Kujinawa no maki "the snake chapter", depicting a courtier and a lady-in-waiting on the veranda sitting on a veranda and a snake crawling into the courtier's clothing, accompanied by poems by Shungetsutei and Kiyomizu Masushi ? (Masaoshi Masako), from the series Amewakamiko monogatari, signed in seal form Chiharu -- good impression, slightly faded and toned
6. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Ashigai "the leg shell", from the series Genroku kasen kai awase "A matching game of Genroku poem shells", with poems by Hyakurintei Masugi and Yomo no Utagaki, signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- good impression, color and condition
7. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; Plum blossom and the New Moon, accompanied by poems by Kikunoya Magaki (an Osaka poet), Ryusai Chimada and Haikai Utaba (Yomo Utagaki), signed Shinsai -- good impression, faded and very slightly soiled
8. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Sudaregai "the bamboo-blind shell", from the series Genroku kasen kai awase "A shell matching game of Genroku poets", accompanied by poems by Sanosha Mitsuhiko and Shibanoya Sanyo, signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- very good impression, color very slightly faded
9. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; Shirabyoshi "dancer", from the series Goshiki no uchi "Five colors", accompanied by a poem by Shakuyakutei, signed Shinsai -- very good impression, slightly faded
10. ANONYMOUS: kakuban; a view of the bank of the Sumida river near Mimeguri Shrine, accompanied by five poems by
and Haikai Utaba Magao -- good impression, faded and soiled
11. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; a view of the Fukushi "the auspicious rock", on Enoshima, accompanied by two poems, one containing the cyclical date kanoto-mi (1821), by Jinjutei Kiei and Chokyutei Nodoka, signed Shinsai -- good impression, slightly faded
12. TOTOYA HOKKEI: kakuban; a two panel screen decorated with shells depicting plants and a crane, with five poems by
Shinratei Manzo and others (which mentions the "snake year"), signed Oju Hokkei sha -- very good impression, slightly faded, otherwise good condition
13. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; ao-gai "blue shell (mother of pearl), depicting a courtesan seated by a writing desk, from the series Goshiki no uchi "Five colors", signed Shinsai -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
14. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Shiogai "the salt shell", from the series Genroku kasen kai awase "A matching game of Genroku poem shells", with a poem by Toshigaki Maharu (Kyogetsutei Kikugaki Mahare/Maharu, the poet and hanja of the Yomo poetry group), signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- very good impression and color
15. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; a pair of cranes circling a nest of chicks in a pinetree., accompanied by six poems, one by Shinratei Manzo, signed Shinsai -- good impressions, faded and slightly soiled
16. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; Uma matsuri, aoyagi "blue willow, the horse-festival" depicting a festival drum and mask, with poems by Matsuzaka Teodori and Ryujoen Sugemino, from the series Goshiki no uchi "five colors", signed Shinsai -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
17. YUHOSAI (?): koban tate-e; Fuku "good fortune", depicting young woman and her child, a puppy at their feet, a single poem by Zentei Mitsumame, signed Yuhosai saku -- good impression, ÿ slightly faded and soiled (nos. 19 & 20 are companion prints and are titled roku and ju, reading Fukurokuju one of the seven gods of good fortune)
18. HENKUTSU SEKKO (?): kakuban; Three Chinese performers, accompanied by four poems, signed Henkutsu Sekko ga -- good impression, slightly faded
19. KAZAN (?): koban tate-e; Roku "Happiness", depicting a courtier and a lady in waiting, with a preface and a poem by Mochizuki Mitsumama, signed Kazan hitsu -- good impression, faded and slightly soiled (see 17 & 20)
20. UNIDENTIFIED: koban tate-e; Ju "Longevity", depicting Urashimataro and a turtle, with poems by Zentei Mitsumame and Kyokado Magao, with unidentified signature -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled (see 17 & 19)
21. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; Shinto hakuja "Temple lanterns and white snake", depicting a white snake slithering over two temple lanterns, with poems by Sakazuki Machikane and Ryujoen Sugemino, from the series Goshiki no uchi "Five colors", signed Shinsai -- good impression, faded and slightly soiled
22. TOTOYA HOKKEI: kakuban; a boy dangling a two headed snake from a stick, accompanied by five poems with the left one by Hananoya, signed Hokkei -- good impression, slightly faded and toned
23. UNIDENTIFIED: kakuban; a festival dancer chasing a snake, with three poems by Shorinen Maju (?), Shozantei Okunari and Kyokado Magao, signature unread -- good impression, faded and slightly soiled
24. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; Fish and shells, with poems by Shoshokyo Otokado and Senrensha Suminari -- good impression, faded
25. UTAGAWA TOYOHIRO: kakuban; a plaque inscribed with the character Fuku "Good fortune", with poems by Sakuragawa Jihinari and Kyokado -- good impression, slightly faded
26. YASHIMA GAKUTEI: kakuban; a scholars bookshelf with a seacape screen, with two poems by Kaseitei Mayoshi and Kyokado, signed Gakutei -- good impression, faded
27. TOTOYA HOKKEI: kakuban; Kori (?), depicting the Chinese
general waving his sword, from the series Mogyu "The ignorant search", designed for the Hanazonoren whose symbol appears beneath the title, accompanied by a single poem by Tsunenoya Atsumaru, signed Hokkei and with one artist's seal -- good impression, slightly faded
28. KUBO SHUNMAN: kakuban; Botan, kakitsubata "Peonies and irises", from the series Kasumiren somoku awase "An array of plants for the Kasumi circle", with two poems by Gurendo Nakakubo and Haikai Utaba (Utagaki Magao), signed in seal form within the title Shunman sei "from the studio of Shunman" -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
29. SHINSHINSHI HOKUTAI: kakuban; a lord and retainer watching cranes in flight, entitled Iwagakiren: Mutsu tsuzuki no uchi "A series of six prints for the Iwagaki group", signed Shinshinshi Hokutai -- good impression, faded and slightly soiled
30. TOTOYA HOKKEI: kakuban; a palanquin for the Enoshima pilgrimage placed beside a pillar beneath two lanterns, with a single poem by Ganshoan Michitsura, signed Hokkei -- good impression, faded and very slightly soiled
31. TOTOYA HOKKEI: kakuban; a courtesan raising her hand to her brow as she drinks a cup of sake, with three poems on the pleasures of drinking, from the series Geko jogo niban-tsuzuki "the teetotaler and the drinker, a series of two", signed Oju Hokusai ga -- good impression, slightly faded
32. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Irogai "the color shell", depicting a packet of face powder and a bowl used in applying rouge, with poems by Midori Yanako, Shuchodo Monoyana and Kyokado Magao, from the series Genroku kasen kai awase "A matching game of Genroku poetry shells", signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- good impression, slightly faded, otherwise good condition
33. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; a covered bowl, a teapot and a miniature pine, with two poems, the left hand one by Yomo Magao, signed Shinsai -- good impression, slightly faded
34. TOTOYA HOKKEI: kakuban; a still-life depicting Ichikawa Danjuro VII's costume for a shibaraku performance, with a poem by Kitsujuen Sanae (the hanja of the Gogawa circle), signed Oju Hokkei ga -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
35. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: koban tate-e; Plum and willow, with poems by Ryusai and Nampo Gaki, signed Shinsai -- good impression, very slightly soiled
36. KOKINTEI SAMBA: koban tate-e; calligraphy, signed Kokintei Samba
37. KATSUKAWA SHUNTEI: koban tate-e; two courtesans looking at a shell decorated table screen, with two poems, the left hand one by Koan (?), signed Shuntei ga
38. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; a Chinese warrior looking at a Japanese warrior holding a child, accompanied by four poems, the left hand one by Kuman (Soramitsu) Maeda, signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
39. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Ume no hanagai "the plum-blossom shell", depicting a spray of plum-blossom, a dipper and a sandle, with poems by Kyogetsutei Mahare (Maharu) and Kyokado Magao, from the series Genroku kasen kai awase "A matching game of Genroku poetry shells", signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- good impression, slightly faded
40. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Namikashiwa "the oak on the waves", depicting a man curled up within the folds of a futon in the prow of a small boat as it passes the assignation pine at Kuramae, with poems by Moji Sekigaki, Midorian Matsutoshi and Kyokado Magao, from the series Genroku kasen kai awase "A matching game of Genroku poetry shells", signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- good impression, color and condition
41. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Sima Guang breaking a giant sake pot, accompanied by a single poem, signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- good impression, slightly faded
42. UTAGAWA KUNINAGA: chuban yoko-e; a couple and three children on the pilgrimage to Enoshima, with three poems, the left hand one by Shinratei Manzo, signed Ichiunsai -- good impression, centerfold
43. UTAGAWA KUNISADA: kakuban; an okubi-e portrait of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII as Bodhidharma, accompanied by four poems including one each by the printer and the engraver, signed Kunisada ga and sealed Sada -- good impression and color
44. UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE: kakuban; a full-length portrait of the actor Ichikawa Danjuro VII in the role of a wood-cutter, accompanied by a single poem, signed Hiroshige ga -- good impression and color
45. TOTOYA HOKKEI: kakuban; Enoshima with Fuji in the distance seen through a circular cartouche, with two poems, one a poem by Fushimatsu no Kaka II, signed Hokkei, good impression and slightly faded
46. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Horagai "the conch shell", depicting a man aiming a blow-pipe at a flight of geese, with poems by Sakuraan Yoshitane of Sakura in Shimosa and Yomo Utagaki Magao -- good impression, slightly faded and toned
47. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; a view of the Sumida river, accompanied by two poems, one by Sumuro Morozane, signed Shinsai -- good impression, slightly faded
48. YANAGAWA SHIGENOBU: kakuban; a portrait of the courtesan Hanaogi of the Ogiya standing beside a lantern, accompanied by a single poem by the srtist, signed Yanagawa Shigenobu jigasan "picture and verse by the artist" -- good impression, slightly faded
49. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; a still-life depicting plum branch , coral, small screen, two seals and a pair of scrolls, accompanied by two poems by Hakujutei Edamori and Dondontei, with the emblem of the drum group in the upper right, signed Shinsai -- good impression, slightly faded
50. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban Kinutagai "the fulling-block shell", depicting two women at a fulling block, beating of waste paper to make it pulp, with poems by Kogetsutei Yoshimura and Chikujuan Haruyoshi (Jiro ?), from the series Genroku kasen kai awase "A matching game of Genroku poem shells", signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- good impression, slightly faded
51. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Monoaragai "the washing shell", depicting people crossing the drum bridge over the Shinobazu pond to visit the shrine of Benzaiten, with poems by Kogetsutei Shizuoto, Shinyutei Hitonari and Shinratei Manzo, signed (Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu) -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled, trimmed on the right removing signature
52. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; a monkey riding a tortoise, from the series Mukashibanashi chijin'yu "Wisdom, benevolence and bravery in fairy tales", accompanied by four poems, one by Matsunoya Hananari, signed ... Katsushika Iitsu hitsu -- good impression, slightly trimmed (partially removing the signature) and faded (see nos. 4 and 63 for surimono from the same series)
53. TOTOYA HOKKEI: kakuban; a portrait of a courtesan holding a teabowl, from the series Geko jogo niban tsuzuki "teetolar and drinker: a series of two", accompanied by three poems, signed Oju Hokkei ga -- good impression, slightly faded (see no. 31 for the other design in the set)
54. KITAGAWA TSUKIMARO: kakuban; a full-length portrait of the sumo wrestler Shigamine Otokichi, accompanied by three poems including one by Dondontei Wataru, the leader of the Drum Group, from the series Sumo samban no tsuzuki " a set of three sumo wrestlers, signed Kansetsusai Tsukimaro zu -- good impression
55-57.ANONYMOUS: koban yoko-e; Omino ya: tekagami no yama "an album of the Omi house", three sheets containing miniature shikishi, fans, tanzaku with pictures or poems etc. in imitation of a tekagami calligraphy album -- good impressions, slightly faded
58. UNIDENTIFIED: kakuban; a full length portrait of a Shirabyoshi dancer, accompanied by three poems, two by Shozantei Okunari and Yomo Magao, with unread signature -- good impression, very slightly soiled
59. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: kakuban; Shijimigai "the fresh water clam shell", depicting four small boys watch an itinerant toy seller demonstrate a toy lion, with poems by Enmeitei Harumitsu and Kyokado -- good impression and color
60. KUBO SHUNMAN: kakuban; Atsumoriso "Lady's slipper", accompanied by two poems, from the series Kasumi ren somoku awase "A array of plants for the Kasumi circle", signed in seal form Shunman sei "after the work of Shunman" -- good impression, slightly faded (see no. 28 for another in the series)
61. KOCHOSHI FUMIMARO: kakuban; a still-life depicting a writing set case with water pitcher and stray plum blossoms, with poem and illustration by Fumimaro, signed Kochoshi Fumimaro and dated "first writing of the Year of the Snake" (1821) -- good impression, color and condition
62. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; a spray of plum blossoms and two lanterns, signed Shinsai -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
63. KIKUGAWA EIZAN: kakuban; an old man with two sparrows dressed as women, from the series Mukashibanashi chijin'yu "Wisdom, benevolence and bravery in fairy tales", with poems by Matsunoya Hananari, Kyokado and two others, signed Kikugawa Eizan -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled (see nos. 4 and 52 for surimono from the same set)
64-65.VARIOUS ARTISTS: kakuban; two sheets of calligraphy by various members of the Yomo poetry circle. The last poem of the second sheet is by Yomo no Utagaki Magao, the leader of the Yomogawa-ren -- good impressions and condition
66. UTAGAWA TOYOHIRO: koban yoko-e; an egoyomi for the year Bunsei 5 (1822), the long and short months contained within a poem, accompanied by a portrait of a beauty reflected in a hand mirror, signed Toyohiro ga -- good impression, color and condition
67. CHIKUSOTEI KAZUNARI (?): koban yoko-e; a wine cup and a cup and ball game, the poem and illustration signed Chikusotei Kazunari -- good impression and color
68. YANAGAWA SHIGENOBU: kakuban; a woman standing beside a large street lantern, accompanied by a single poem by Gojotei Michinori, signed Yanagawa Shigenobu -- good impression and color, slightly soiled
69. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: kakuban; Tsugegushi "yellow willow comb", depicting a maid dressing a courtesan's hair, from the series Goshiki no uchi "five colors", signed Shinsai -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
70. HOKUEI: koban yoko-e; buckets and scoop for drinking the New Year's water, accompanied by three poems, the last by Shinratei Manzo, signed Hokuei -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
71. KATSUSHIKA HOKUSAI: chuban yoko-e; two women of the pilgrimage to Enoshima, accompanied by two poems, the first announces a name change of the Priest Shingen, the second is by Kyokado, signed Getchi rojin Iitsu hitsu -- good impression and color, centerfold
72. UTAGAWA TOYOHIRO: chuban yoko-e; New Year's preparations, with two poems by Hanano Harundo labeled Saitan "New Year's Day" and Shunkyo "the pleasures of spring", and another poem by Sakuragawa Jihinari -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
73. TEISAI HOKUBA: koban yoko-e; gathering young pines, signed Michinoku kitei ni oite, Hokuba sekiga "an impromptu picture drawn by Hokuga at an inn in Mutsu Province" -- good impression, faded
74. TOTOYA HOKKEI: koban yoko-e; a flute and a silk bag, with poems by Shingyokutei Madashi and Shinratei Manzo, signed Hokkei -- good impression, faded
75. RYURYUKYO SHINSAI: koban yoko-e; writing paper, a yatate and a bag for marbles, accompanied by two poems, the last by Dondontei, signed Shinsai -- good impression, faded and soiled
76. ANONYMOUS: chuban tate-e; an egoyomi for the year Bunsei 4 (1821) with acrostic poems interwoven into the design. Although each poem is completely different, each poem (5 vertical columns and 2 diagonal columns) has lines beginning with the same initial syllables, which, listed in order, are: Ha, tsu, ka, su and mi. Hatsugasumi refers to the first Spring mists of the New Year. The long months are indicated by black, short months in red. One poem is by Soramitsuya Maeda -- good impression and condition
77. UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE: kakuban; another impression of no. 44
78. YASHIMA GAKUTEI: ko-kakuban; a plum tree in the light of the New Moon, signed Gakutei -- good impression and condition
79. ANONYMOUS: ko-kakuban; a sheet of poems on the theme of Spring, by various poets of the Yomogawa group -- good impression, some soiling
80. AIKADO TAI NO ITOYORI (?): koban yoko-e a still-life depicting paper envelopes, a paper box and cover and a small fish, accompanied by a single poem, signed Aikado Tai no Itoyori -- good impression and color
81. TOTOYA HOKKEI: kakuban; Fu "wind", depicting a Chinese scholar Osho and a boy watching their umbrella being blown away by the wind, accompanied by poems by Koryudo Yukitake and Shinsokutei Kashimaru, from the series Kachofugetsu "Flower, bird, wind and moon", signed Hokkei -- good impression, slightly faded and soiled
82. YASHIMA GAKUTEI: kakuban; Shozan Shiko, depicting four Chinese scholars, accompanied by two poems, from the series Katsushika-ren meisu ju-ban "Famous numerals: a series of ten for the Katsushika poetry group, signed Gakutei and sealed Sadaoka -- good impression and color
83. UKIYO SHIGEKATSU: kakuban; a full length portrait of the actor Onoe Kikugoro III as Sugawara no Michizane in Sugawara Risei no Tobiume, wearing formal court robes, accompanied by two poems, signed Ukiyo Shigekatsu -- good impression and color
84. SHUNKOSAI HOKUSHU: kakuban; a portrait of an actor (Onoe Kikugoro III) as a chef preparing sashimi, or of the poet Tsurunoya, his head piece decorated with Tsurunoya's symbol, accompanied by three poems, one being by Tsurunoya (also the author of the preface listed above), signed Hokushu and with two artist's seals, and the printer's seal Nakazawa -- good impression and color
