Page 194 - Christies Japanese and Korean Art Sept 22 2020 NYC

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UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI (1797-1861)
Benkei drags up the great bell of the Miidera temple
Woodblock print, from the series Shinyu kurabe (Comparisons of
True Courage), signed Choro Juniyoshi ga, published by Mikawaya
Tetsugoro circa 1845
Vertical nagaban: 20 x 7¡ in. (50.7 x 18.8 cm.)
$4,000-6,000

Benkei’s famous exploits during his time at Enyakuji Temple,
built high up on Mount Hiei, was the theft of the bronze bell
from the rival Mii Temple, located at the foot of the mountain.
The boisterous monk was strong enough to single-handedly drag
the three-ton bell up to his temple. But his abbot was outraged,
and ordered him to return his trophy, whereupon he threw
it into a gorge, from where the monks of Mii Temple could
retrieve it. The bell still exists and is said to bear the scratches it
acquired from its theft.

Another impression of the same print is in the collection of the
British Museum, accession no. 2008,3037.02001.

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KAWANABE KYOSAI (1831-1889)
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Two Crows on a Plum Branch with Rising Sun
Woodblock print, signed Joku Kyosai zu, sealed Bankoku tobu and Joku
Kakemono-e: 27¡ x 10¡ in. (69.6 x 26.3 cm.)
$1,500-2,000

206
ANONYMOUS (19TH CENTURY)
Picture of a Steamship
Woodblock print, titled ikoku jokisen shukko no zu (Picture of a
Steamship Leaving Harbor)
12Ω x 18 in. (31.7 x 45.6 cm.)
$4,000-6,000

207
ANONYMOUS (19TH CENTURY)
Mirror of the Physiology of Drinking and Eating
Woodblock print, titled Inshoku yojo kagami (Mirror of the
Physiology of Drinking and Eating), depicting the digestion of a man,
with printed text in Japanese
20º x 14Ω in. (51.3 x 36.8 cm.)
$2,000-3,000
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