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 KAWASE HASUI Non Cataloged Japanese Woodblock Print  US $1,000.00
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 TREASURY JAPANESE WOOD BLOCK PRINTS UKIYO E Kikuchi ART BOOK 1600 Illus HUGE US $19.99
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 TAKAO RYOICHI 1967 Japanese Woodblock Print US $9.99
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 HOKUSAI Japanese Woodblock Print from Original Blocks US $24.99
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 VERY RARE WOODBLOCK PRINT ANTIQUE JAPANESE ON FABRIC MATERIAL SIGNED US $19.99
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 VERY RARE WOODBLOCK PRINT ANTIQUE JAPANESE ON FABRIC MATERIAL SIGNED MINT US $19.99
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10 Shocking Shunga Woodblock Prints
Shunga, literally "Images of Spring", is the generic term used to describe erotic prints, books, scrolls and paintings of Japan.
As a dealer of Japanese woodblock prints and shunga in particular I have come accross numerous striking and evocative designs. The following 10 shunga designs appeal to me for different reasons and are in no typical order. These prints I saw in books, on auctions and in private collections.
Kappa Rape - Utamaro
This design is the first print from Utamaro's excellent Uta-makura (Poem of the Pillow) -series published in 1788 and depicts a complex scene with a awabi (abalone) diver watching two kappa (underwater monsters) assaulting a colleague under water. This apparent rape scene is in reality the woman's own fantasie imagining a violent sexual encounter. Also the tightly curled (for the Japanese an expression of high sexual excitement) indicates this is not a rape scene. (Illustrated in Strangers in Paradise - R. Lane on p.14, Ill.131)
Lesbian Couple - Eiri
From Eiri's magnificent Models of Calligraphy published in 1801 an exciting female-female love scene with one of the women (the younger one) wearing a harigata (artificial phallus) and holding a holding a sea shell containing some kind of lubricant. The viewer is struck by the refined beauty reminiscencing the erotic art of ancient Greece. (Illustrated in Japanese Erotic Fantasies - C. Uhlenbeck and M. Winkel on p.147, Ill.49c)
Chinese Couple - Shigenobu
An extraordinary and extreme scene from Shigenobu's Willow Storm -series (late 1820s) involving a Chinese Couple. The man with his plait curled on top of his shaven head is extracting fluid from the woman's vagina. In his book Sex and the Floating World Timon Screech remarks that Keisai Eisen wrote that such fluids were used as an aphrodisiac and rubbed onto the male's genitals before intercourse. (Illustrated in Japanese Erotic Fantasies - C. Uhlenbeck and M. Winkel on p.177, Ill.65b)
Western Couple - Shigenobu
From Shigenobu's same marvellous Willow Storm -series a depiction of a Western couple. What's so unique and striking about this design are the Western influences imitating the shading effects of Western copperplate etching. The Western man is represented as a demon like figure. (Illustrated in Japanese Erotic Fantasies - C. Uhlenbeck and M. Winkel on p.177, Ill.65c)
Tea House - Utamaro
Probably the most acclaimed oban (large format) print within shunga from Utamaro's masterpiece Poem of the Pillow -series depicting two lovers in a private room in a teahouse. The high-quality printing technique, the elegant flowing lines, the composition and the subtle details such as the transparency of the clothing make this one of the most coveted prints. It is whispered that the male lover in this abuna-e (non-explicit print) is actually Utamaro himself. (Illustrated in Japanese Erotic Fantasies - C. Uhlenbeck and M. Winkel on p.130, Ill.39)
Peasant Girl - Kiyonaga
Kiyonaga's Sleeve Scroll (Sode no maki) -series (c.1785) is another highlight of the shunga genre with its unique horizontal hashira-e (pillar print) sized prints. One of the scenes involves a peasant girl and her lover caught in a moment of ecstacy. The girl resting her head on a bundle of charcoal sticks, with her toes curled in sexual bliss. (Illustrated in Vol.24 of The Complete Ukiyo-e Shunga - R. Lane)
Horny Maneemon - Harunobu
The sixth plate in 'The Fashionable Lusty Maneemon' series (c.1770) by Harunobu depicts an intriguing scene in the open air with a peasant girl being taken from behind by a man wearing a mask. Her parents are watching while the man claims he is a descendant of Inari, the god of rice. Maneemon also called 'Miniature Man' or 'Imitation Man' who's the main protagonist in this series is a comic mythical character who sits relaxed under a tree on his straw hat. (Illustrated in Japanese Erotic Prints, Shunga by Harunobu & Koryusai - Inge Klompmakers on p.65)
"69" Position - Hokusai
A scene with a totally nude couple in a soixante-neuf position in a perfectly balanced composition. This print is from Hokusai's most celebrated oban series Fukujuso (The Adonis Plant) and is so distinguishing because of the large scale of the portrayed figures. Some shunga lovers call this image the 'Egg'. (Illustrated in Vol.23 of The Complete Ukiyo-e Shunga - R. Lane)
Dutchman - Eiri
A striking depicition of a Dutch captain having intercourse with a beautiful courtesan. They are watched (by the viewer) through a window of a Nagasaki brothel. Behind them on a small table an incense burns in a vessel. This specific detail is on a lot of shunga designs depiciting this theme and it is said this use of incense burning by courtesans was to drive away the smell of their Western clients. The long fingernails of the Dutchman are also a striking detail. Dutch women were not allowed to live in Nagasaki but Japanese courtesans were permitted to enter the compounds. Eiri's Models of Calligraphy was inspired by Utamaro's Poem of the Pillow which also has a Dutch couple. (Illustrated in Vol.24 of The Complete Ukiyo-e Shunga - R. Lane)
Octopus - Hokusai
Last but definitely not least the most famous of all shunga designs best known as The Dream of the Fisherman's Wife from Hokusai's Young Pine Saplings (Kinoe no komatsu) -series. A depiction of an abalone diver abandoned in an ecstatic embrace with two octopuses. For a long time collectors and scholars thought this infinitely fascinating scene to be a rape scene but this has been refuted by Danielle Talerico who discovered that an Edo audience would have associated the image with the legend of Tamatori. Also the text in the image indicates the mutual satisfaction between all involved protagonists. (You can find numerous pictures of this print on the web!)
About the Author
My name is Marijn Kruijff and I am an artdealer specialized in Japanese woodblock prints. In this article I have included references to books which have illustrations of each treated design but some you can find on our website such as Hokusai's Octopus and Adonis Plant designs. Click here for the marvellous Chinese couple (last picture on this page) and here for Eiri's Lesbian Couple!
Woodblock Printmaking
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KAWASE HASUI Non Cataloged Japanese Woodblock Print US $1,000.00
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TREASURY JAPANESE WOOD BLOCK PRINTS UKIYO E Kikuchi ART BOOK 1600 Illus HUGE US $19.99
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TAKAO RYOICHI 1967 Japanese Woodblock Print US $9.99
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HOKUSAI Japanese Woodblock Print from Original Blocks US $24.99
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VERY RARE WOODBLOCK PRINT ANTIQUE JAPANESE ON FABRIC MATERIAL SIGNED US $19.99
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VERY RARE WOODBLOCK PRINT ANTIQUE JAPANESE ON FABRIC MATERIAL SIGNED MINT US $19.99
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 TAKAGI SHIRO Original 1972 Japanese Woodblock Print US $199.99
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 SADANOBU HASEGAWA Original 1950s Japanese Woodblock Print US $49.99
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 TORII KIYOTSUNE 1917 Japanese Woodblock Print US $24.99
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 ODA Original Japanese Woodblock Print US $24.99
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 SHIRO KASAMATSU Original 1940 Japanese Woodblock Print US $499.99
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 SHIN HANGA Original Showa Period Japanese Woodblock Print US $24.99
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 3 JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS ALL ARE GOLD TREES TINY BLOSSOMS 2 W RIVER US $13.50
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 YOSHISUKE FUNASAKA Original Japanese Woodblock Print US $9.99
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 3 Genuine Small Japanese WoodBlock Prints Env 1950s 60s Mint Cond Beautiful US $5.99
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 Popcorn Corn Kernel signed original Woodblock print on Japanese washi paper US $59.99
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 Garden Bamboo Leaf original Woodblock print Japanese Washi paper Signed Clark US $69.99
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 Vintage 3 Japanese Wood Block Prints In Bamboo Style Wood Frames US $39.99
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 JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT MINATOGAWA SHRINE NANKO KOBE MEIJI US $24.99
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 JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT NOH MASKS POSTCARD SET 5 US $35.00
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book GUIDE TO HELL w Hand Coloring 1689 US $51.00
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book PLANT IDENTIFICATION GUIDE c1690 US $51.00
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book GUIDE TO CEREMONIES FESTIVALS c1700 US $9.99
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book Set 4 volumes BUDDHISM c1750 US $122.50
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book TOYOHIRO 1773 1828 vol 1 US $151.51
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book TOYOHIRO 1773 1828 vol 2 US $26.00
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book EARLY VIEWS Kansei 8 1796 US $45.00
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book HIROSHIGE 1797 1858 Soga Monogatari US $224.72
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book BILLIARDS GAMES MAGIC DICTIONARY 1890 US $47.46
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 Orig Japanese Woodblock Print Book VIEWS OF KYOTO Meiji 33 US $45.00
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 ORIGINAL JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT By NENJIRO INAGAKI US $39.04
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 GENUINE JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT By NENJIRO INAGAKI US $39.04
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 GENUINE JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT 4 CATS MASAKI SHIBUYA US $39.04
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 GENUINE JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT By KODAMA KIBOU US $39.04
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 All Walks original carved Woodblock print on Japanese washi paper signed Clark US $29.99
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 A Japanese Very Rare Fine Large Woodblock Print by Tadashi Nakayama 1927 US $720.00
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 Antique Ohara Shoson Japanese Woodblock Birds Eating Snow Covered Berries Print US $56.00
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 1894 Japanese Old Woodblock Print Beauty Art by Toshikata US $49.99
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 1885 Japanese Old Woodblock Print Tokugawa Tsunayoshi Art by Kiyochika US $85.00
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 1884 Japanese Old Woodblock Print Triptych Of Samurai Armor Art by Kunimasa US $99.99
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 19c Japanese Old Woodblock Print Triptych Of Beauty Art by Toyokuni US $120.00
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 1887 Japanese Old Woodblock Print Triptych By Kunichika US $65.00
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 LOT OF 2 FAMOUS JAPANESE WOODBLOCK REPRODUCTIONS FROM THE RARE OLD ORIGIINALS US $29.95
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 TSUNENOBU KANOU Japanese woodblock print Kachou Gahu No2 birds trees flowers US $44.89
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 Japanese woodblock print Man and Woman with Handgun Meiji Taisho era US $44.89
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 Japanese woodblock print Three Men with Katana at Cliff Meiji Taisho era US $44.89
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 TSUNENOBU KANOU Japanese woodblock print Kachou Gahu No9 birds trees flowers US $44.89
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 Japanese woodblock print Woman and Hatchet Man with Kanata Meiji Taisho era US $44.89
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 Japanese woodblock print Two Women with Baby serious talk Meiji Taisho era US $44.89
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 Japanese woodblock print Woman and Man with Katana Meiji Taisho era US $44.89
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 BUNTINGS FATSIA Birds Japonica ASHIKAGA ACTUAL Japanese WOODBLOCK PRINT US $62.71
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 NANDIN TREE Trees Berries NISABURO ITO ACTUAL Old Japanese WOODBLOCK PRINT US $54.87
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 Original MEIJI Japanese Woodblock Print CLASSICAL JAPANESE ARCHITECTURE GARDEN US $39.19
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 HOKUSAI Original Japanese Woodblock Print CHUBBY PEOPLE SLEEPERS READERS CAT US $23.51
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 Original MEIJI Japanese Woodblock Print RED HANKYO SEALS CHOPS SIGNATURES US $20.37
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 HOKUSAI Original Japanese Woodblock Print SIX VIGNETTES ELEPHANT PRIEST ETC US $23.51
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 CORNEL WHITE CAMELLIA Japanese WOODBLOCK PRINT Art Ikebana Flower Arrangement US $18.80
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 PUSSY WILLOW CHRYSANTHEMUM Japanese WOODBLOCK PRINT Ikebana Flower Arrangement US $18.80
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 YOSHISUKE FUNASAKA Large Limited Edition Japanese Woodblock Print SUMMER US $150.00
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 Elephant Bamboo original Woodblock print hand pulled Japanese washi signed NR US $29.99
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 HOKUSAI Original Japanese Woodblock 2 PAGE Print SILK WEAVING SILK WORMS MOTHS US $39.19
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 TURMERIC GRASSES Old Japanese WOODBLOCK PRINT Art Ikebana Flower Arrangement US $18.80
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 8 Antique Japanese Woodblock Color Prints on Creped Paper Beautiful US $425.00
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 TWO ANTIQUE JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS NO RESERVE PRICE US $45.00
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 japanese woodblock print US $375.00
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 RARE 1928 Hiroshi YOSHIDA Brush Signed Jizuri Seal Japanese Woodblock Print US $1,650.00 |
 Rare Miniature Japanese Woodblock Prints collection of 12 florals US $120.00
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 Wood block Print Primer by TOMIKICHIRO TOKURIKI 1970 Japanese woodblock print US $49.99
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 Traditional Japanese Art Woodblock Print Fantasy Hideaway Tree Nature Woman US $24.00
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 JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT BY SHIHO SAKAKIBARA US $300.00
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 TAKAHASHI SHOTEI Hiroaki Japanese Woodblock Print Mt Fuji From Mizukubo1936 US $99.99
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 Rare Japanese Book JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINTS 1938 Tourist Library 24 US $5.00
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 Cheetah Cat Original Woodblock print on Japanese washi paper signed Clark NR US $59.99
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 Japanese Mt Fuji Large Original Woodblock print on washi paper signed NR US $99.99
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 5 Happy Crabs Original Woodblock print on Japanese washi paper signed Clark US $59.99
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 Swimming Frogs Original hand pulled Woodblock print on Japanese washi signed US $29.99
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 BEAUTIFUL ANTIQUE JAPANESE KUNISADA TOYOKUNI GA WOODBLOCK PRINT 1830s EXCELLENT US $91.50
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 JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT BOOK JAPAN GEOGRAPHY MAP SET 5 MEIJI 8 US $24.99
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 JAPANESE WOODBLOCK PRINT BOOK JAPANESE WORLD HISTORY SET 2 MEIJI 9 US $9.99
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 Authentic Japanese Woodblock reproduction of Hiroshiges Famous Places in Kyoto US $38.00
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 1830 1844Japanese Antique EDO SHUNGA Woodblock Book US $20.50
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 1912Japanese Antique MEIJI Buddha Woodblock Print BOOK 3 SET VOL123 US $20.50
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 Ocean Jellyfish Original Woodblock print on Japanese Washi signed Clark NR US $39.99
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 8 views of the Sumida in Edo Japanese woodblock print Hiroshige US $29.00
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 Beauty fan kimono Kunisada Japanese woodblock print original US $89.99
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 Prince Genji fan katana samuraiKunisada Japanese woodblock print original US $89.99
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 Sumo wrestler Ozeki Kuniteru Japanese woodblock print original US $99.00
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 Antique Japanese Edo Period Woodblock by Utagawa Kuniyasu Kuni Yasu Japan c1810 US $41.04
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 Original Japanese Art Woodblock Signed NR US $125.00
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 Original Japanese Osaka Woodblock 4 sheet print The Shamisen by Yoshitaki US $62.73
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 Original Japanese Osaka Woodblock Diptych The Lotus Pond by Yoshitaki US $31.36
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 Original Japanese Osaka Woodblock Diptych The Garden by Yoshitaki US $31.36
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 Original Japanese Osaka Woodblock Diptych The Pine Tree by Yoshitaki US $31.36
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 Harunobu Japanese Woodblock Reprint Courtesans with Scroll Exceptional US $44.75
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 Original Japanese Woodblock Print Landscape 2 by Hiroshige I US $94.09
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 Original Japanese Woodblock Print Landscape 3 by Hiroshige I US $235.23
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 Original Japanese Woodblock Print Landscape 1 by Hiroshige I US $94.09
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 Japanese Woodblock Print Otonashi River Dam Oji US $9.99
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 Japanese Woodblock Print Riverside Landing US $9.99
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