Ukiyo-e Prints

浮世絵版画

formerly Port Townsend, Washington

now Kansas City, Missouri

THE PRINTS SHOWN ON THIS PAGE PERTAIN TO PUBLISHERS SEALS WHICH WE HAVE NOT OFFERED (YET),

BUT WHICH HAVE BEEN SENT TO US BY SOME OF OUR CORRESPONDENTS.

NONE OF THESE PRINTS ARE FOR SALE.

Kunisada print published in ca. 1831-2 by Oden.

This example comes from the collection of

K. S. in Germany.

(The white spot in the center appears to be from a flash.)

Kuniyoshi triptych contributed to this site by H.S. in Germany.

The publisher's seal is that of Miyakawaya Tetsugorō.

Thanks H.S! We truly appreciate your contribution.

Toyokuni II print contributed by my friend M.

The publisher's seal is for Ezakiya Tatsuzō.

Thanks M!

Toyokuni III print contributed to this site by ED.

The publisher's seal is for Yamadaya Shojirō.

Thanks ED!

Kunisada print published by Kawaguchiya Shōzō

of Nakamura Karoku I as Tachibana-hime

(たちばなひめ).

This example comes from

the Eikei (英渓) Collection.

Hiroshige print published by Sanoya Kihei in 1839-40. 

This example was presented to us by Dede and Bruce H.

for posting on this page.

Kuniyasu print published by Moriya Jihei in 1824.  Private collection.

On a personal note: I appreciate all contributions to this page allowing us to display a greater number of publishers' seals which might help visitors identify the marks on prints in their own collections. However, I must tell you that this print which was sent to me out of the blue has to be one of my favorite images of all time. Everyone's taste is different, but I hope that some of you out there enjoy this image half as much as I do. What a treat! There is more coming.

Shunkō print published by Ōmiya Heihachi. 

Private collection.

Above is a Sadafusa print published by Kawaguchiya Chōzō. This example comes from the Eikei (英渓) Collection.

This publisher's seal really stumped me. In my library there are more than one thousand different publishers identified, but this mark was not among them. I had to ask an expert for help which he kindly provided. Now we, you and I and the rest of us, know. Don't we?

Above is a Hiroshige print published by Eijūdō from ca. 1832-34.

Private collection.

Above is a Toyokuni I print published by

Enomotoya Kichibei from ca. 1797.

Private collection.

Note: The seal shown to the right is from a different print. We did this because we were able to get a better, i.e., larger image.

Above is a Kunichika print published by Manzen. This example comes from the Eikei (英渓) Collection.

This seal is now renamed and listed at

Yorozu-ya Zentarō

on our T to Z publishers page

Above is a Yoshitoshi print published by

Iseya Kisaburō (correction) in 1865.

This example comes from the Eikei (英渓) Collection.

Above is a Toyokuni I print published by Murataya Jirobei from 1816. This example comes from the Eikei (英渓) Collection.

To visit our second page of examples of publishers' seals which we haven't offered yet click on Hiroshige landscape above to the left or to go to our third page on this theme click on the bijin applying makeup above right.

ABOUT THE WALLPAPER ON THIS PAGE

This wallpaper is taken from a ginko site run by a Kansas Citian, William Foard. I wrote Mr. Foard and asked his permission to use some of the photos. Normally I wouldn't use Missouri images to illustrate an ukiyo site, but in Japan the ginko leaf has a long history as a major motif. Merrily Baird in her Symbols of Japan (pp. 50-51) notes that these trees are often found at temples and shrines and are used to encircle the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. She adds: "Numerous family crests are based on the fan-shaped leaf of the ginko. The leaf also appears in kimono designs and as a motif in other art mediums."

"Photo Copyright William Foard"

Mr. Foard was kind enough to give his permission for my use of some of his images. He owns the rights to each of these.

Below is another example taken from his site and a link to his home page. Please visit it. You don't have to go to Japan to feel the aesthetic thrill.