It is really nice to hear the back stories on these prints. I have many older Japanese woodblock prints, but I do not know the artists well or the series details. Yoshitoshi is one of my favorite Ukiyoe artists because he has better representational (and to my eye, more skilled) artwork. But many of the other prints from your auction-win here are beautiful as well.
Thanks Dean! Going down the rabbit hole of the print stories is always fascinating for me. I could easily do a 10 minute or more video on a single print, but life is short. Yoshitoshi could draw anything in any style and his style is the closest to many of today's manga and anime (I think).
The final hiroshige print is one of those headscratchers - your print, although condition may not be quite as good, is probably an earlier impression and of better printing.
The Christie’s print was “pristine,” except for the “trimmed edges,” so I totally applaud and gladly endorse your choice in the matter! Publisher and censor’s seals count, if at all possible (didn’t Dr. Marks publish a whole book about them! I have been meaning to obtain a copy, as I expect that you already certainly have… I love his beautiful, colorful and concise little volume, “Japan Journeys”)… As long as prints are not egregiously damaged, minor condition issues represent part of a print’s “story,” I think, which I find a very “Japanese” way of looking at the matter… Since the days of “The Crosseyed Gallery,” your wonderful posts are ever more and more fun and entertaining… “Woodblock Prints RULE!” With “geese descending at sunset,” I remain… - Always your friend, Glenn Jones
Aww thanks Glenn! I wish I had the $$ to get the Christie's level print. It still amazes me that for not much money, less than $500 even, one can purchase a print that in many cases is better than that same print held by multiple museums. Even if the print in your collection has some flaws (most do after 150+ years) we can still enjoy them, and marvel at the artists and the culture. I don't have the book specifically on Publisher's seals but there are several online resources I go to, and other books that include some seals of the subject artist.
It's tough. It involves a series of restoration techniques. I won't touch that Yoshitoshi diptych - it's almost perfect. But the Hiroshiges and the Rinsai - I may try some spot cleaning and soaking to remove dirt and backing. Actually the Rinsai may bleed so I'll be more cautious there.
Exceptional prints. I am particularly enamored by those of Yoshitoshi & Hiroshige. What shall you do with the duplicate Kunichika print with two Bijin-ga?
PS to my comment below: Your suggestions for online sources for people to evaluate prints and self educate about ukiyo-e have been excellent! How about doing a short post regarding “hard copy” reference books and other such materials? Being as I am rather quite unapologetically and very irredeemably “bookish,” I know that I, for one, would greatly enjoy seeing what I’ve got, but especially what I may be missing! Thanks again!
I am far from "irredeemably bookish" but I do have about 30 go-to ukiyo-e tomes written by brilliant people. My short term plans are: An interview with an amazing ukiyo-e inspired tattoo and fine artist. A video on woodblock terminology (top 10 terms). A video on 36 Good and Evil Beauties. I will add your request to the list, thanks for your support!
![Chris Langan - The Interview THEY Didn't Want You To See - CTMU [Full Version; Timestamps]](/img/1.gif)
It is really nice to hear the back stories on these prints. I have many older Japanese woodblock prints, but I do not know the artists well or the series details. Yoshitoshi is one of my favorite Ukiyoe artists because he has better representational (and to my eye, more skilled) artwork. But many of the other prints from your auction-win here are beautiful as well.
Thanks Dean! Going down the rabbit hole of the print stories is always fascinating for me. I could easily do a 10 minute or more video on a single print, but life is short. Yoshitoshi could draw anything in any style and his style is the closest to many of today's manga and anime (I think).
Thanks Richard, nice video 👍 It really helps if you show how much comparable prints like the Hiroshige one has been sold in auctions already 😊
Yes, I should add a bit more info about pricing - I'll try and touch on that in future videos.
@@MieGallery that would be wonderful and help you get more views 😊
The final hiroshige print is one of those headscratchers - your print, although condition may not be quite as good, is probably an earlier impression and of better printing.
Very possibly, the Christie’s print is in excellent condition though. I may try and remove the backing on my version and clean it up a bit.
The Christie’s print was “pristine,” except for the “trimmed edges,” so I totally applaud and gladly endorse your choice in the matter! Publisher and censor’s seals count, if at all possible (didn’t Dr. Marks publish a whole book about them! I have been meaning to obtain a copy, as I expect that you already certainly have… I love his beautiful, colorful and concise little volume, “Japan Journeys”)…
As long as prints are not egregiously damaged, minor condition issues represent part of a print’s “story,” I think, which I find a very “Japanese” way of looking at the matter…
Since the days of “The Crosseyed Gallery,” your wonderful posts are ever more and more fun and entertaining…
“Woodblock Prints RULE!”
With “geese descending at sunset,” I remain…
- Always your friend,
Glenn Jones
Aww thanks Glenn! I wish I had the $$ to get the Christie's level print. It still amazes me that for not much money, less than $500 even, one can purchase a print that in many cases is better than that same print held by multiple museums. Even if the print in your collection has some flaws (most do after 150+ years) we can still enjoy them, and marvel at the artists and the culture. I don't have the book specifically on Publisher's seals but there are several online resources I go to, and other books that include some seals of the subject artist.
Thanks for the context about the Yoshitoshi prints. You said you were going to clean up a couple of them. How do you go about doing that?
It's tough. It involves a series of restoration techniques. I won't touch that Yoshitoshi diptych - it's almost perfect. But the Hiroshiges and the Rinsai - I may try some spot cleaning and soaking to remove dirt and backing. Actually the Rinsai may bleed so I'll be more cautious there.
Exceptional prints. I am particularly enamored by those of Yoshitoshi & Hiroshige. What shall you do with the duplicate Kunichika print with two Bijin-ga?
Thanks! I sell the duplicates on MieGallery. I always try to “trade up” on the prints I’m collecting for myself.
PS to my comment below:
Your suggestions for online sources for people to evaluate prints and self educate about ukiyo-e have been excellent!
How about doing a short post regarding “hard copy” reference books and other such materials? Being as I am rather quite unapologetically and very irredeemably “bookish,” I know that I, for one, would greatly enjoy seeing what I’ve got, but especially what I may be missing!
Thanks again!
I am far from "irredeemably bookish" but I do have about 30 go-to ukiyo-e tomes written by brilliant people. My short term plans are: An interview with an amazing ukiyo-e inspired tattoo and fine artist. A video on woodblock terminology (top 10 terms). A video on 36 Good and Evil Beauties. I will add your request to the list, thanks for your support!
Oh! I have to add - I want to do a video on the Suzugamori Execution Grounds, since it's mentioned in many stories.