Utagawa Hiroshige II’s woodblock print, “Mount Takatsu, Iwami”, early 1850s–1862

Utagawa Hiroshige II (歌川広重) (1826–1869)

“Mount Takatsu, Iwami” (石見 高津 山) (aka “Mount Takazuno in Iwami Province”), early 1850s–1862, plate 42 from the series, “Sixty-Eight Views of the Various Provinces” (aka “Shokoku rokujū-hakkei” [諸国 六十八 景 []]) published by Tsutaya Kichizō (蔦屋吉蔵) (c1820–1869); see J. Noel Chiappa’s online catalogue raisonné of the work of Utagawa Hiroshige II: https://hiroshigeii.net/series/68Provinces.html.

Note that although Chiappa proposes the date of this print as 1862, the following description offered by Zach Auctions suggests that this print may be earlier: “The separate censor and date seals indicate it was printed in the early 1850s, as from 1853 approval seals along with date seals were used and after 1857 only a single seal, either combining the censor and date or giving the date only” (https://www.zacke.at/auction/lot/485-utagawa-hiroshige-ii-a-color-woodblock-print-of-mount-takatsu-in-iwami/?lot=3608&sd=1).

Colour woodblock print on fine washi paper with small margins around the platemark.

Size: (sheet) 23.3 x 17.1 cm; (image borderline) 22.5 x 16.6 cm.

Condition: a rare original early impression with no tears, holes, folds or significant stains but there are ink notations (verso).

I am selling this subtly coloured and very beautiful image of two plumes of smoke by Hiroshige II for a total cost of AU$336 (currently/approximately US$226.87/EUR209.22/GBP177.07 at the time of posting this listing) including Express Mail (EMS) postage and handling to anywhere in the world, but not (of course) any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries. Note that payment is in Australian dollars (AU$336) as this is my currency.

If you are interested in purchasing this original and very beautiful woodblock print by one of the most famous of the 19th century Japanese artists, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.