Katsushika Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) One woodblock print Oban yoko-e ; entitled Gohyaku Rakanji Sazaido (Sazai Hall of the Temple of the Five Hundred Rakan), from the series Fugaku sanjurokkei (Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji), c. 1830-2, signed Zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu - good impression (blue keyblock), fair color, some patches and staining, cloth tape to reverse top 10 x 14 7/8in (25.5 x 37.8cm)

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849). One woodblock print Oban yoko-e : from the series Fuji sanjurokkei (Thirty Six Views of Fuji), entitled Sushu Ejiri (Ejiri in Suruga Province), signed zen Hokusai Ippitsu hitsu , published early 1830s - late impression, faded, lacking censor and publisher seals, adhesive residue to reverse right edge. 10 x 14 1/4in (25.5 x 36.2cm) Property from the Collection of Joseph Klein (1899 - 1987), New York, New York

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) Sanka hakuu [Shower Below the Summit], from the series Fugaku sanjurokkei [Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji], signed Hokusai aratame Iitsu hitsu, published by Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudo), c.1830-5, (blue outline) 37.6 x 25.4cm. From the collection of Joseph Beck (1828-1891) and thence by descent. PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE ENGLISH COLLECTION This iconic print, from Hokusai's great series Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji, is instantly recognisable due to the extent to which this series has been reproduced throughout the world. Hokusai was about seventy years old when he began the series and his fascination with depicting Mt Fuji was to continue until his death. At the centre of his art was the constant re-working of concepts and forms, which is clear to see in his many depictions of the famous mountain. In this case, on the surface there are minimal alterations when compared to the composition of another iconic print in the series, 'South Wind, Clear Sky' and yet upon closer inspection the two designs could not be more different. 'South Wind, Clear Sky' has a calm brightness to it, however the present print, with almost identical composition of mountain, trees and sky, has a dark agitation as a sudden storm sparks at the base of the mountain, with forks of lightning spiking across the lower slopes and the clouds have come down to cluster around the mountain. Joseph Beck was a Quaker of German descent who ran the British optical company, R & J Beck. He was an avid collector of Japanese works of art and amassed a sizeable collection, buying at sales in London and America while on business trips. He also met ships in docks upon their return from Japan and bought directly from the captain and crew.1 1. Rupert Shephard, An Artist's Life, (Bristol, 2006)

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) One woodblock print Aiban (detached album plate); depicting a teahouse and an artisan's workshop near Mount Fuji, from the kyoka album Sandara kasumi (The Mist of Sandara), 1798, signed Hokusai Sori ga , privately published by the Kasumi poetry club - very good impression and color, center crease, upper corners tacked to mat 8 3/4 x 12 1/5in (22.1 x 31.6cm) Another impression published in Gian Carlo Calza's, Hokusai (London/New York, 2003), p. 123, pl. II.23

1560. Katsushika Hokusai Japan 1760-1849 His school A hanging scroll depicting a man with rifle in a snowy mountain landscape, School of Hokusai. Ink and colour on silk. 37,7 x 56,2 cm (120 x 68 cm with mounting). Rolling folds, stains. Presumably sold at an exhibition at Mücsarnok, Budapest in 1909 (lot 145), according to old label.