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Can any one help me with these Japanese woodblock prints,There are two that are at least 100 years old and the smaller one although in a later frame may be just as old? There is a paper taped to the back of one that has the name "Utagawa Kuniyoshi" who I am sure is a good name but I do not see any writting on this piece and did not take it apart yet. The other two are signed with a lot of stamps and the larger one with people in boats are three seperate pictures framed in a Japanned decorated frame. Just wonder if any should be taken to a higher end auction?? Any Help will be MUCH APPRECIATED. Thanks Joe

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Your pictures are tiny and hard to see. I do see 3 Kuniyoshi signatures. As an off the cuff estimate, I'd guess you have upwards of $2000 worth of prints. Again, the condition is hard to see on anything so small.

Look at the Kotobuki website (below) to get some idea of prices.

Cheers,
Stan

URL Title :Kotobuki

Joe,

The triptych depicting a man and two women in a boat is indeed by Kuniyoshi. It's from a series with the title "Mitate gogy�" ("Comparisons for the five elements"), and it was published in 1851. You'll find a good image of it in the database of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (see link below).

The one without text or seals is the middle panel of a triptych designed by Chikanobu and published in February 1896. The series title is "Chiyoda no �oku" ("Chiyoda Inner Palace"), and this particular print depicts a group of actors preparing to give a special performance at the palace. (Source: Bruce A Coats, "Chikanobu. Modernity and Nostalgia in Japanese Prints", Hotei Publishing 2006, p 173).

As for the third print I don't know what it is, and it doesn't look Japanese to me. My guess would be that it's Chinese.

Best regards,
Hans Olof




URL Title :FAMSF

I should have looked at your thumbnails more carefully. The 3 Kuniyoshi signatures are from the triptych - not the 3 prints. Hans Olof is correct. Drop my estimate of value to less than $1000 with the majority of that dependent on the Kuniyoshi triptych and its condition.

Cheers,
Stan

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