Nathanial Currier (1813-1888) James Merritt Ives ( -1895). Title: "The Narrows of New York Bay". "Currier & Ives" became a partnership in 1857 (News illustrators - New York, NY). Also illustrated early American historial events. Currier was an apprenticed lithographer; Ives a starving artist-bookkeeper. Became successful in their time: Documented fires, deaths, scenes of marriage and courtship. (appealed to sentimentality)
Title:"Top of Atago Hill Sheba" from "Famous Sites of the Eastern Capital". Signed by Hiroshige (1797- 1858). Publisher's Seal: Sanoki. This is one from a series issued continuously form 1833 to 1843. First editions have the stamp of the publisher, Kikakudo; later prints, a stamp of Sanki. Shis is the later. Both represents the same firm. All are "Oban Yokoye" (10" x15" horizontal in size). A huge gate, called "mon" stands erect at top of hill. There are many steps leading up to this hill form fown. Three can be seen ascending.
Title:"An Actor as a Warrior" Signed. Publisher's Seal: Tsuta-ya. Kunisada is chief pupil of Toyokuni. His production fo actor prints are considered even greater than his master. There is no particular actor's name printed on this sheet. One of the warriors with a "hachimaki" (band) around his head. Sword in right hand. In fighting, the right shoulder outer garment is stripped, so the difference in color can be noted.
from "Women's Manners and Customs" Signed by: Gessho (Kaisuke) Red Seal below name. Women enjoying the evening cool at Shijo Bridge in Kyoto. Woman in foreground is burning an incense stick called "Senko." From this comes a word "Senkodai" which means time change for "geisha girl". Two paper gardent lanterns are lighted illustrating an early evening hour.
Title: "Cherry Blossoms of the Sumida River". Explanation: Kuniyoshi also used manes Ichiyusai and Cho-o-ro. Right: Woman with toy instrument, after a day of viewing flowers. Medium: Woman and child calling back to husband. Left: Husband with umbrella and tobacco pipe in hand.
Title: "The Warrior Hyoe". Publisher's Seal: (Engravers seal only). Although this work is signed Toyokuni, it can be distinguished as Kunisada's because the signature is enclosed in a cartouche, a device never employed by the great master Toyokuni (the red seal in the upper left corner.)
Title:"The Event of the Year, 1875, Meija Era". Triptych. Signed by: Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Publisher's Seal: Okura. Yoshitoshi is a pupil of Kuniyoshi, was the last artist of the old school. His life embraced the period which saw the extinction of Ukiyoye, and the establishment of the new. This picture is more related to the new. It can be seen by the costumes of the women. These were worn up til the end of Meiji Era, and could be seen worn by the Empress on special occasions, even today. This it the Empress and her court in 1875, leaving the palace grounds for a ceremonial rite. It happens to be raining a little.
Title:"The Event of the Year, 1875, Meija Era". Triptych. Signed by: Yoshitoshi (1839-1892). Publisher's Seal: Okura. Yoshitoshi is a pupil of Kuniyoshi, was the last artist of the old school. His life embraced the period which saw the extinction of Ukiyoye, and the establishment of the new. This picture is more related to the new. It can be seen by the costumes of the women. These were worn up til the end of Meiji Era, and could be seen worn by the Empress on special occasions, even today. This it the Empress and her court in 1875, leaving the palace grounds for a ceremonial rite. It happens to be raining a little.