Hiroshige -- "The Whirlpools at Naruto"

(Click HERE for additional image)
(Click HERE for additional image)
Artist Hiroshige
(1797-1858)
Title "The Whirlpools at Naruto"
Date Image dates originally to April 1857. This "re-carved" Meiji-edition was published 1903-1906.
Series From Shimbi Shoin's "Ukiyo-e Grand Anthology" (5 Vol Set)
("Ukiyo-e Ha Gashu").
Publisher Shimbi Shoin Publisher
(Tokyo; ca1890-1936)
Seal, Carver/Printer na
Image Size 14 x 27 3/4 image (on paper), set onto 19 1/4 x 33 wide-margined backing (3 panels, 2 vertical folds).
Impression Very Fine. Superbly executed "bokashi" shading; amazingly detailed and crisp line-work (made possible by partial "end-grain" carving).
Condition Excellent.
(Slight "age-mellowing" to print's album backing sheet.) No flaws noted.
Reference/Illus See our U-G "Shimbi Shoin" article.
Comments This Meiji-era "bijin-ga" print (of an earlier Edo era image) comes from "Ukiyo-e Ha Gashu", publisher Shimbi Shoin's "crown jewel" of 175 ukiyo-e masterpieces (spread over 5 volumes) produced between 1903 to 1906. Shimbi Shoin's pioneering use of "end-grain carving" (in conjunction with usual "plank-carving") allowed these prints of astonishing detailing to be produced. This image is printed onto traditional Japanese paper. (Learn more.)
Not new--now 100+ years old. Very rarely available.
Item # BG-745
Price $675 (Sold--AB)