Antique Japanese Prints, Screens, and Scrolls

Ukiyo-e — woodblock prints

text by Katharine Markulin Hama

Back in the 1950s, James Michener (yes, the author of "Sayonara" and "Tales of the South Pacific") assembled one of the world's finest collections of ukiyo-e. In those days top-quality Japanese arts and antiques could be bought for a comparative song. Old Tokyo hands reminisce about "stacks of woodblock prints for a few thousand yen."

Today, the market for mid- to high-end Japanese antiques swings from moribund to myopic. Even when interesting things turn up, collectors sometimes overlook them. A November 2003 Sotheby's sale of major 19th- and 20th-century Japanese woodblock prints from the Huguette Berès collection, for example, saw prominent works sell strongly. But other, notable prints such as "Fuji Seen from Ushibori in Hitachi Province" and "Turban-shell Hall of the Five-Hundred-Rakan Temple" by the great Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) barely topped their estimates of 3,000-4,000 euros and 5,000-6,000 euros, respectively.

Could this signal an opportunity for a new generation of collectors?

"Blind men examining an elephant, Vol. 8" (1818), 90,000 yen framed. This is Hokusai's version of a Buddhist parable in which a king asks a group of blind men to examine and describe an elephant. Each man's report depends on the part he explored.

Mitsuru Uragami is a Tokyo dealer in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean ceramics as well as Hokusai prints, who caters to collectors and museums. From his perspective of 30 years in the trade, he asserts that "there are good buys to be had right now."

He mentions prices of Imari (including Kakiemon) porcelains having fallen 30 to 40 percent from past highs. Most underpriced, however, are Japanese woodblock prints, especially less-known works. "Famous ukiyo-e by Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, Kitagawa Utamaro, and Toshusai Sharaku are always in demand," Uragami says, "But other excellent material—like manga, or sketchbooks—is being overlooked." Japanese prints are valued by age and condition (earlier prints achieved deeper impressions and usually a clearer register). Uragami, with 1,200 volumes in his warehouse, has one of the world's biggest holdings of Hokusai manga. He points out that while highly colored ukiyo-e tend to fade with exposure to light, the comparatively monochrome manga are sturdier. "You can hang them on the wall and not worry as much about degradation." Although he is holding back some editions for museums (because, he explains, even the Tokyo National Museum lacks a good manga collection), someone could acquire an 1815 Hokusai print of noh masks for 30,000 yen or a fine 1817 impression of "Whirling Tide in Naruto" for 90,000 yen.

"Blind characters, Vol. 8" (1818), 80,000 yen framed. Light-hearted character studies depict the myriad facial expressions of blind men.

He warns, however, that collecting high-end art and antiques requires caution whether your passion is silk textiles or shop signs. Forget about finding masterpieces at flea markets. Enjoy these for what they are, but visit a reputable dealer to acquire something fine. He or she will offer a guarantee of quality (Uragami certifies each print he sells) and knowledge and expertise to guide you.

Pursuing works that date from the birth of polychrome woodblock prints
You can live with the same ukiyo-e prints that had a profound impact on Impressionist painting. The works that inspired Manet, Degas, and Van Gogh are still available at Japanese antique shops.

The three ukiyo-e artists who collectors should focus on now were active around the dawning of the polychrome woodblock print: Ishikawa Toyonobu, who left behind a body of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) rendered primarily in pink and green in the early 18th century; Suzuki Harunobu, who thereafter produced the first nishiki-e, or polychrome prints, with a range of tones that—together with his delicate and graceful lines—made him one of the most prominent artists of his time; and Isoda Koryusai, whose renditions of women have a sensual directness that set new standards for the next generation of bijin-ga.

Harunobu

Koryusai

While these artists played active and important roles in the early formative stages of ukiyo-e printing, little of their work remains and chances to see it are few. Therefore, their value is not fully appreciated. When their artistic qualities are finally recognized, the prices of these pieces will most likely rise significantly, which could be good news for early collectors.

For ukiyo-e, sketchbooks and manga, see our listing for Uragami Sokyu-Do antique shop.

Creating dramatic interiors with byobu — folding screens

Interested in purchasing a great piece of Japanese art that will create a dramatic, gorgeous room interior? A byobu, or folding screen, is your answer. Byobu are paintings that were originally created as furnishings to partition off large halls, so most of them feature outstanding motifs and compositions. Because these large-scale works were intended to be long-lived, artists put special effort into painting them.

Single six-fold screen, 17th century, 12 million yen

Set a Japanese folding screen in a room and dim the lights. The gold and silver leafing becomes more vibrant and the light it reflects brightens the room. In the days before electricity, people used gold and silver gilt screens to illuminate dim interiors. Thus, they were not purely decorative; they had a practical side as well.

Compared to other painted works, more byobu have survived for several hundred years to the present day. Most likely because they could be folded, moved, and stored, many survived major wars and natural disasters.

Folding screens come in a variety of sizes, the smallest being two panels, or "two-fold." The largest size, 10 panels, is extremely rare and would have been a special commission.

For byobu folding screens, see our listing for Takashi Yanagi antique shop.

Kakejiku — hanging scrolls

	Snowy Egrets by Seiho Takeuchi (1864-1942), who established modern Japanese painting. Bull by Nagasawa Rosetsu (1754-1799) with daringly powerful composition has been shown in museums. Monkeys by Mori Sosen (1747-1821), renowned for his masterful renditions of animals. Notice the fine detail and quality of the fur.

Kakejiku are paintings and calligraphy mounted as hanging scrolls for display in a room. The fact that even large paintings in this form can be rolled up, easily transported, and hung just about anywhere is part of their charm.

While they were originally displayed in the tokonoma alcove of a tearoom, they are as vibrant today in contemporary architectural settings.

By all standards, many high-quality, fine-art antique Japanese paintings are still available, and only because the artists' names have not permeated the world's art markets are they not selling in the million-dollar range.

Painting by Tomioka Tessai, done just before his death at 89. Tessai shunned formal training and built his own free-spirited world of painting based on his knowledge of literature and his travels. He left some 2,500 works. "It is in his late work that Tessai came into his element," explains Masatsugu Kawasaki with pride.

The prices of even outstanding pre-Meiji works in particular are falling, basically because older works lack credibility.

That said, if one buys from a reputable dealer there is a good chance of finding a bargain. One might even discover works that rival the masters of Western painting, with the delicate rendition, innovative composition, and dynamic brushwork unique to Japanese-style painting.

For kakejiku hanging scrolls, see our listing for Tessai-do antique shop.

Articles from the 2004 SPRING issue:

• Spring Sake
• Architectural Alchemy: Toshiko Mori - H-Sang Seung - Kengo Kuma - Yung Ho Chang
• Hello Kitty - The Empress of Cute: Hello Kitty at 30 - Sanrio Puroland
• Japanese Antiques: Tansu Chests - Porcelain & Lacquerware - Woodblock Prints, Folding Screens & Scrolls - Textiles & Kimono - Antique Shops in Tokyo & Kyoto
• Tokyo Street Fashion

Kateigaho International Edition Issues:

2005 SUMMER - 2005 SPRING - 2005 WINTER

2004 AUTUMN - 2004 SUMMER - 2004 SPRING - 2004 WINTER

2003 AUTUMN - INAUGURAL ISSUE