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Hello. I came across these very beautiful pieces and I'd love to find some information about them. They came from the collection of an old antique dealer who mostly dealt with ephemera and art. The first piece is approximately 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" and the other two are approximately 9 1/4" x 7". They appear to be painted on a very thin fabric type paper. Any ideas what they say? Artist? Age? Thanks.

Your prints are typical examples of cheap Japanese woodblock prints (ukiyo-e), printed in vivid colors by using the first synthetic pigments, dating from the early Meiji period.

The first print depicting beauties, bears the publisher's mark イセ辰 (Isetatsu) and was issued around 1870 by the Tokyo Publisher Iseya Tatsugorô.
The original series title in the upper part at the right of the design was removed and a fake signature of the very famous ukiyo-e artist Utamaro was added lower part also right. The series was probably designed by an anonymous artist, employed by the publisher.
Clearly, it was the forger's intention to sell this (very cheap) woodblock print as a genuine Utamaro to ingnorant foreigners, strolling in the streets of old Tokyo.

The two other woodblock prints are from the series 'Genji gojûyojô' (源氏五十四帖 - Folding book of the 54 chapters of the Tale of the Genji), designed by Utagawa Yoshiiku (1833-1904), published 1870-71 by Yorozuya Magobei.

Guy.

The first of your Japanese woodblock prints is signed Utamaro. However, Utamaro was working in the early 1800s and yours was printed late in the 1800s. Likely, it is a repro of some kind. I'd have to do more research.

The artist for the other two prints is Yoshiiku. More at this link:

http://www.asianart.com/phpforum/index.php?method=reply&RId=78876&gId=1&MSubject=Re%3A+Need+Japanese+Ukiyo-e+moku+hanga+identification+help%2C+etc&PID=78821&PHPSESSID=

...and the link below:

http://litaxulingkelley.blogspot.com/search/label/Ikkeisai%20Yoshiiku

Cheers,
Stan

Your prints are in excellent condition. If you want a price point see:

http://www.thewhitleyartgallery.com/Artists/Woodblock-Prints/Yoshitoshi-Others/Prince-Genji.aspx

Cheers,
Stan

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