| Born in 1870 near Hamamatsu City (Shizuoka Prefecture) with the name "Koichi", Koitsu moved to Tokyo at the age of fifteen. He had planned to apprentice with Matsuzaki, a carver for the artist Kobayashi Kiyochika, but instead, he became Kiyochika's apprentice and moved into his home to study art and print design. It is through Kiyochika that Koitsu gained his trademark skill in the subtle use of light and shadow for his landscape prints. Koitsu lived with Kiyochika for 19 years and was considered more a member of Kiyochika's family than an apprentice. He worked and studying with Kiyochika until around Meiji 36 (1903). In Taisho 11 (1922) he moved to his wife's place of birth in Chigasaki City and lived there until his death. Although Koitsu first designed woodblock prints during the Sino-Japanese war (1894-1895), and later worked as a lithographer (around 1900 to 1905), he only really became a successful artist after his chance-meeting with Watanabe Shozaburo, the founder of the shin hanga print movement, at an exhibition of Kiyochika's works in 1931 that marked the anniversary of Kiyochika's death. In 1932 he started to produce landscape prints in the shin hanga style for Watanabe, the first being titled 'Cherry Blossom Viewing at Gion', and he went on to design a total of ten prints for Watanabe. He later designed prints for various publishers including Doi Sadaichi (known incorrectly in the West as Doi Teiichi), and a few prints for Kawaguchi, the Kyoto publisher Baba Nobuhiko, the publisher Tanaka Shobido, and the publisher Takemura.
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| Around the same time that Tsuchiya Koitsu began his shin hanga career, another artist by the name of Ishiwata Koitsu was also pursuing a career as a shin-hanga landscape artist. Despite sharing the same given name "Koitsu", the two men were not related. Their works are sometimes confused since both artists signed their works "Koitsu". However, the styles of their woodblock prints are quite distinctive, as are their seals. A reference article on seals found on Tsuchiya Koitsu prints can be found here, and other Koitsu research articles can be found in the 'Articles and Research' section of my Koitsu.com site here. Don't forget to take a look at my comprehensive database of Tsuchiya Koitsu prints here. Also, the only available reference text on Tsuchiya Koitsu prints by the Chigasaki Art Museum (Japan) entitled "Tsuchiya Koitsu: Adoration of Scenery" is available for purchase here. I am always looking for Koitsu prints to add to my collection or to use for research purposes, so if you have Koitsu prints that you wish to sell please read here and then email me. |
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| Oban and Mitsugiri-sized prints | |||||
| Baba Nobuhiko Published Prints | |||||
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| Lake Yamanaka (1) [Baba Nobuhiko] |
Lake Yamanaka (2) [Baba Nobuhiko] |
Sarusawa Pond at Nara (1) [Baba Nobuhiko] |
Sarusawa Pond at Nara (2) [Baba Nobuhiko] |
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) |
.','640', '640')) |
) |
) |
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| Kangetsu Bridge, Shimonoseki (1) [Baba Nobuhiko] |
Kangetsu Bridge, Shimonoseki (2) [Baba Nobuhiko] |
Yomei Gate at Nikko [Baba Nobuhiko] |
Miho at Matsubara [Baba Nobuhiko] |
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.','640', '640')) |
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) |
) |
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| Atami at Night [Baba Nobuhiko] |
Atami at Night [Baba Nobuhiko] |
Nikko Sacred Bridge (1) [Baba Nobuhiko] |
Nikko Sacred Bridge (2) [Baba Nobuhiko] |
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 instead of the usual Baba Nobuhiko seals.','750', '740')) |
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| Koushu, Lake Kawaguchi [Baba Nobuhiko] |
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| Doi Published Prints | |||||
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','Mitsu-giri','','620','640')) |
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) |
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| Zojyoji Temple in Snow [Hanmoto Tokyo-Do] |
Snow at Sarusawa Pond [Doi Sadaichi] |
Kofukuji Temple in Nara [Doi Hangaten, Offset seals] |
Kofukuji Temple in Nara [Doi Hangaten, In-line seals] |
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','Oban','The carver for this particular print was Yamada. The printer was Gotou. A reasonably rare Sadaichi print in pristine condition.','840','720')) |
) |
, and Itou (printer).','840', '720')) |
, and Onohiko (printer).','840', '720')) |
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| Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi [Doi Sadaichi] |
Moonlight Over Hibiya Park Tokyo Fukei Series [Doi Sadaichi] |
Summer Moon at Miyajima [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Snow at Miyajima [Doi Hangaten, In-line seals] |
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, Katsumura (carver), and Gotou (printer).','620', '640')) |
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','Oban','Carved by Harada, printed by Yokoi.','620', '640')) |
','Oban','Carved by Harada, printed by Seki.','620', '640')) |
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| Rain at Asakusa Kannon Temple Tokyo Fukei Series [Doi Sadaichi] |
Rain at Asakusa Kannon Temple [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Ueno Shinobazu Pond [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Ueno Shinobazu Pond [Hamamatsu-Do] |
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','Oban','Carver: Itou, Printer Yamada.','620', '640')) |
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','Oban','Carver: Harada, Printer Yokoi.','620', '640')) |
','Oban','Carver: Itou, Printer Ikeda.','620', '640')) |
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| Benkei Bridge [Doi Hangaten, In-line seals] |
Benkei Bridge [Hanmoto Tokyo-Do] |
Benkei Bridge [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Benkei Bridge [Doi Hangaten, In-line seals] |
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','Koitsu-Plum_Nightingale-Oban-2-x800.jpg','February, 1940','Doi Hangaten (Offset seals)','Oban','Quite a rare oban version. I have never seen a pre-war Doi Sadaichi strike of this print. Carved by Harada, printed by Yokoi.','750', '750')) |
','Doi Hangaten','Mitsugiri','Carved by Harada, printed by Yokoi','620', '640')) |
) |
-No_Seals-x800.jpg','April 1937','Doi','Oban','The lack of publisher seals suggests that this is a circa 1970/80s edition.','840', '690')) |
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| Plum Nightingale (Oban version) [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Plum Nightingale (Mitsugiri version) [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Nikko Sacred Bridge [Doi Hangaten, In-line seals] |
Nikko Sacred Bridge [Doi] |
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) |
) |
) |
) |
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| Nezu Shrine [Doi Hangaten, In-line seals] |
Nezu Shrine [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Kiyomizudo In Ueno [Doi Sadaichi] |
Kiyomizudo In Ueno [Hanmoto Tokyo-Do] |
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) |
) |
) |
) |
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| Nagaragawa Cormorant Fishing [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Kameido Tenmangu Shrine [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Lake Yamanaka [Doi Hangaten, in-line seals] |
Great Lantern at Asakusa Temple [Doi Sadaichi] |
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) |
) |
','Doi','Mitsugiri','A Sadaichi version of this print exists with different block carving. Also, another posthumous edition exists with fuller colours (yellow moon, dark-blue sky), as opposed to this near-monochrome strike.','640', '750')) |
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| Nijo Castle [Iida Kunitaro] |
Nijo Castle [Doi Sadaichi] |
Rain at Lake Hakone [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Owl [Doi Hangaten] |
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) |
) |
) |
) |
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| Asakusa Kinryuzan [Doi Sadaichi] |
Asakusa Kinryuzan [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Ueno Koen [Doi Eiichi] |
Nagoya Castle [Doi Eiichi] |
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, and published by Doi Sadaichi. Carver: Katsumura; Printer: Gotou.','840', '700')) |
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) |
) |
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| Sengakuji Temple in Takanawa Tokyo Fukei Series [Doi Sadaichi] |
Spring Rain, Matsushima [Doi Hangaten, in-line seals] |
Akashi Port, Seto Inland Sea [Doi Sadaichi] |
Tokaido Numazu [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
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, and published by Doi Hangaten. Also known as \'Fuji From Lake Sai\'. Carver: Ikeda; Printer: Onohiko.','840', '700')) |
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) |
','Doi Eiichi','Mitsugiri','','640', '750')) |
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| Lake Sai Sunset [Doi Hangaten, in-line seals] |
Lake Shojin [Doi Hangaten, In-line seals] |
Yushima Tenjin Shrine [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Mandarin Ducks [Doi Eiichi, offset seals] |
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, published by Doi Hangaten. Carver: Ikeda; Printer: Onohiko.','840', '700')) |
, published by Doi Hangaten. Carver: Harada; Printer: Yokoi.','840', '700')) |
) |
','Koitsu-Teahouse-Sadaichi-Ikeda-Yokoi-x600.jpg','1935','Doi Sadaichi (Doi Sadaichi)','Oban','Printer was Yokoi, Carver was Ikeda.','650', '640')) |
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| Morning Fuji, Lake Kawaguchi [Doi Hangaten, in-line seals] |
Suma Beach [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
Tokaido Yaizu-no-hara [Doi Eiichi, offset seals] |
Yotsuya (Teahouse) [Doi Sadaichi] |
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) |
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| Nara Horyuji Temple [Doi Hangaten, offset seals] |
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) |
) |
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| Floral Print [Doi Sadaichi] |
Floral Print [Doi Sadaichi] |
Floral Print [Doi Sadaichi] |
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| Watanabe Published Prints | |||||
) |
.','650', '640')) |
','Oban','This is a reasonably rare pre-war strike. Later posthumous strikes are very common though.','750', '750')) |
.','Oban','Japanese title: Akashi no Hama.','660', '640')) |
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| Fishing Boat Returning at Sunset, Yabashi [Watanabe 6mm] |
Fishing Boat Returning at Sunset, Yabashi [Watanabe C seal] |
Akashi Bay [Watanabe D seal] |
Akashi Bay [Watanabe 6mm] |
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.','750', '750')) |
) |
) |
) |
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| Sunset at Tomonotsu, Inland Sea [Watanabe 'F' seal] |
Sunset at Tomonotsu, Inland Sea [Watanabe 6mm] |
Snow at Ukimido, Katata [Watanabe 'C' seal] |
Snow at Ukimido, Katata [Watanabe 6mm] |
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) |
) |
) |
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| Sunset Glow At Seta [Watanabe 'F' seal] |
Sunset Glow At Seta [Watanabe 6mm] |
Autumn Moon at Ishiyama Temple [Watanabe 'C' seal] |
Autumn Moon at Ishiyama Temple [Watanabe 6mm] |
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) |
','Koitsu-Setouchi_Tomonoura-V1-01-x800.jpg','Summer, 1940','Watanabe 6mm','Oban','One of the rarer copies of this recarved version that contains a Watanabe 6mm seal. All other copies I have seen contain both a 6mm and 7mm seal.','750', '800')) |
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| Evening Bell at Mii Temple [Watanabe 'F' seal] |
Sunset at Tomonotsu, Inland Sea (recarved variant) [Watanabe 6mm] |
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| Other Publishers | |||||
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-%20x600.jpg','1936','Takemura','Oban','A very rare pre-war print, published by Takemura Hideo (seal lower left margin) in February, 1936. Koitsu used his Kiyoshi seal and signature for this print. See my Koitsu gallery for images of seals for this print. Pencil signed and titled in lower margin (probably graffiti).','650', '640')) |
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| Morigasaki Night Fishing [Kawaguchi] |
Nikko Futarasan Shrine [Kawaguchi] |
Nikko Five-Storey Pagoda [Kawaguchi] |
Lake Kawaguchi [Takemura] |
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) |
.','840', '530')) |
 with right-to-left text, meaning this particular print is a lifetime strike.','840','720')) |
) |
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| Nijubashi Bridge [Publisher unknown] |
Miyajima [Shobido Tanaka] |
Kashiwara Shrine [publisher unknown] |
The Mouth of Banyugawa [Takemura] |
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| Brush Paintings by Tsuchiya Koitsu | |||||
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| Untitled Floral Print | Untitled Floral Print | Untitled Floral Print | Untitled Floral Print | ||
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| Tulips | |||||
| Chuban and Koban size prints | |||||||||||||||||||
| Doi Published Prints | |||||||||||||||||||
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','Koitsu-Matshshima-Greyscale-x600.jpg','January 1936','Doi','Chuban','This is a very rare greyscale version of the Matsushima chuban print. It is possibly a one-of-a-kind, because it was obtained from the deceased estate of an ex-Doi printer (perhaps never officially being published). Carver: Harada, Printer: Yokoi.','650', '640')) |
) |
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| Snowy Miyajima [Doi Sadaichi] |
Matsushima [Doi Sadaichi] |
Matsushima (Greyscale version) [Doi Hangaten] |
Evening at Miidera [Doi Sadaichi] |
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, compared with what I believe to be an earlier strike (left). As can be seen, the earlier strike has (1) different keyblock lines; (2) more detail; and (3) is wider by a few millimetres.','840','770')) |
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| Maiko Sea Shore [Doi Sadaichi] |
Maiko Sea Shore (Greyscale version) [Doi Hangaten] |
Sparrows [Doi Hangaten] |
Sparrows (Restrike) [Doi] |
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','Chuban','Original pre-war strike. There is also an oban-sized version of this print.','750', '750')) |
) |
) |
) |
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| Nikko Futarasan Shrine [Doi Sadaichi] |
Nikko Futarasan Shrine [Hanmoto Tokyo-Do] |
Yokohama Sankei Garden [Doi Hangaten] |
Manazuru Harbour [Doi Hangaten] |
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) |
) |
) |
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| West Izu, Mitsu Bay [Doi Eiichi] |
Tago Bay [Doi Sadaichi] |
Nikko Five-Storey Pagoda [Doi Hangaten] |
Plum Nightingale [Doi] |
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| Takemura Hideo Published Prints | |||||||||||||||||||
','Koitsu-%20Taue-%20x600.jpg','1930s','Takemura','Chuban','This is a very rare pre-war print published by Takemura (seal lower left). Koitsu used his Kiyoshi seal (lower right), as he often did on Takemura prints.','650', '640')) |
) |
x600.jpg','1930s','Takemura','Chuban','Another rare pre-war print by Koitsu and the publisher Takemura. The place called Boshu is located in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo.','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Tago%20Bay%20(Shizuoka)-%20x600.jpg','1930s','Takemura','Chuban','Another rare pre-war print by Koitsu and the publisher Takemura. The publisher seal is very hard to read. It is actually a combination positive-negative seal imprint (see Research section for an analysis of this seal).','650', '640')) |
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| Rice Planting [Takemura] |
Long Spell of Rain [Takemura] |
Small Port in Boshu [Takemura] |
Tago Bay [Takemura] |
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. As with many Takemura prints, Koitsu used his Kiyoshi seal for this print (lower left). Like my Takemura oban print, this print also has strong embossing (karazuri) giving the image a striking 3D effect.','670', '640')) |
. As with many Takemura prints, Koitsu used his Kiyoshi seal for this print (lower left). Interestingly, this print can be found with two types of artist seal- circular (like this print) and the more common rectangular seal. This print also has some embossing (karazuri) giving the image a 3D effect.','760', '690')) |
','Koitsu-Takeya-no-Watashix800.jpg','1930s','Takemura','Chuban','Another rare pre-war print by Koitsu and the publisher Takemura. The location is Takeya Ferry Crossing on the Sumida River.','760', '690')) |
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| Zojyoji Temple [Takemura] |
Tonekawa [Takemura] |
Takeya Ferry Crossing [Takemura] |
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| Postcard-sized prints | |||||||||||||||||||
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-%20Postcard-%20x600.jpg','Undated','Takemura','Postcard','','650', '640')) |
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| Kyoto [Sh�bid�] |
Kitano Tenmangu Temple [Takemura] |
Nara [Takemura] |
Otome Mountain [Takemura] |
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_x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650','640')) |
-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','Very similar to the oban-sized version.','650','640')) |
) |
','Koitsu-Yotsuya_Postcard-2-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650','640')) |
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| Nagoya Castle [Doi] |
Asakusa Kinryuzan [Doi] |
Kintai Bashi [Sh�bid�] |
Yotsuya [Doi] |
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','Koitsu-Asakusa_Kanzeme_(Postcard)x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Maruyama%20in%20Kyoto-Postcard-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Sacred%20Bridge,%20Nikko%20(snow%20scene)-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Asakusa%20Temple-Postcard-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650', '640')) |
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| Asakusa Kanzeme [Doi] |
Maruyama in Kyoto [Doi] |
Sacred Bridge, Nikko [Doi] |
Asakusa Temple [Doi] |
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','Koitsu-Yushima%20Tenjin%20Shrine%20(postcard)-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Miidera%20Temple-Postcard-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Yakitsugahara-Postcard-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Ducks-Postcard-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650', '640')) |
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| Yushima Tenjin Shrine [Doi] |
Miidera Temple [Doi] |
Yakitsugahara [Doi] |
Ducks [Doi] |
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) |
) |
) |
) |
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| Kyoto Sagano [Doi] |
Kyoto Sagano - Night Scene [Doi] |
Kyoto Kamigamo Shrine [Doi] |
Matsushima [Doi] |
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) |
) |
','Koitsu-Shinobazu_Pond-Postcard-Greyscale-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','This is the greyscale variant.','650','640')) |
','Koitsu-Lake_Sai-Postcard-Greyscale-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','This is a postcard version of a larger oban-sized print published by Doi.','650','640')) |
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| Zojyoji Temple [Doi] |
Sarusawa Pond [Doi] |
Sarusawa Pond (greyscale variant) [Doi] |
Lake Sai (greyscale variant) [Doi] |
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','650', '640')) |
','750', '750')) |
) |
) |
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| Yomei Gate [Doi] |
Benkei Bridge [Doi] |
Kyoto Kinkakuji Temple [Doi] |
Miyajima [Doi] |
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) |
','Koitsu-Arashiyama_(Postcard)x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','650','640')) |
','Koitsu-Horyuji%20Temple,%20Nara%20(snow%20scene)-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','','640', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Bush_Warbler-Postcard-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi Hangaten','Postcard','This is a very rare gold variant to the more common greyscale version.','650', '640')) |
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| Tago Bay [Doi] |
Arashiyama [Doi] |
Horyuji Temple, Nara [Doi] |
Sparrows (gold variant) [Doi] |
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) |
','Koitsu-Matsushima-Takemura-x600.jpg','Undated, circa 1930s','Takemura','Postcard','A very rare print (as are all Takemura-published Koitsu prints).','650','640')) |
) |
) |
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| Ueno Park [Doi] |
Matsushima [Takemura] |
Tokyo Ueno [Shobido] |
Mandarin Ducks [Doi] |
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) |
) |
) |
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| Nikko Five-Storey Pagoda [Doi] |
Nikko Five-Storey Pagoda (gold variant) [Doi] |
Wakanoura [Doi] |
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| Mini-Postcard prints | ||||
) |
) |
) |
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','Koitsu-Sacred_Bridge_Nikko-Mini_Postcard-4-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi','Mini Postcard - about 3.8 x 2.5cm.','This is a variant image without the rain impression.','650', '640')) |
| Teahouse [Doi] |
Snow at Nezu Shrine [Doi] |
Snow at Miyajima [Doi] |
Sacred Bridge at Nikko [Doi] |
Sacred Bridge at Nikko (Variant) [Doi] |
','Koitsu-Horyuji_Temple_Nara-Mini_Postcard-2-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi','Mini Postcard - about 3.8 x 2.5cm.','Possible mis-attribution to Koitsu.','650', '640')) |
) |
) |
) |
) |
| Horyuji Temple, Nara (snow scene) [Doi] |
Matsushima [Doi] |
Lake Yamanaka [Doi] |
Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto [Doi] |
Zojyoji Temple [Doi] |
) |
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| Nikko Five-Storey Pagoda in Spring [Doi] |
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| Mini-Postcard Uncut Sets | ||||
','Koitsu-Snow_at_Nezu_Shrine-Mini_Postcard-4pack-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi','Mini Postcard - about 3.8 x 2.5cm each print.','This is an exceedingly rare uncut set of four mini-postcard prints.','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Sacred_Bridge-Mini_Postcard_Set-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi','Mini Postcard - about 3.8 x 2.5cm each print.','This is an exceedingly rare uncut set of four mini-postcard prints.','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Nikko_Five_Storey_Pagoda-Mini_Postcard_Set-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi','Mini Postcard - about 3.8 x 2.5cm each print.','This is an exceedingly rare uncut set of four mini-postcard prints.','650', '640')) |
','Koitsu-Miyajima-Mini_Postcard-Uncut_Set-x600.jpg','Undated','Doi','Mini Postcard - about 3.8 x 2.5cm each print.','This is an exceedingly rare uncut set of four mini-postcard prints.','650', '640')) |
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| Snow at Nezu Shrine [Doi] |
Sacred Bridge [Doi] |
Nikko Five Storey Pagoda [Doi] |
Miyajima [Doi] |
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