Animals and Plants,

Part I

The words kachô-e (花鳥絵) and kachô-ga (花鳥画) are usually translated as “pictures of birds and flowers”, but they may also be used to describe the broader category of nature prints. A few additional examples of Kuniyoshi’s kachô-e may be found in the sections on surimono of miscellaneous subjects and fan prints of humorous and miscellaneous subjects.

	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Turtle and crab on a ledge underwater Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.
	This is another state of the above print. The coloring is different, and the seal of the publisher, Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke, is no longer present. It was pulled from the same woodblocks as the above.
	This is a reproduction of the same print made by Robert O. Muller in the 1930s. The woodblocks were expertly reproduced, but a careful examination will reveal slight differences in the black outlines and text.
	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Catfish and trout Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke
	This is another state of the above print with a simplified design. The woodblocks for printing the waves and the yellow on the catfish were omitted.
	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Koi and wisteria Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke
	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Stingray and puffer fish Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke
	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Goldfish and killifish Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke
	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Black carp Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this image.
	Another state of the above design
	An additional state with the seal of the publisher removed. It was printed from the same woodblocks as the preceding images.
	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Octopus on a rock amid crashing waves with two fish Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke
	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Silver carp underwater by a wooden post with a floating peony Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke
	I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this reproduction by Utagawa Sadayoshi, an Osaka artist who was active c. 1837-1853. The print is signed Chô-ô-rô Sadayoshi ga (朝櫻楼貞芳画).
	A modern reproduction made by Tachihara Inuki
	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Shrimp and fish after bait on a fishing line Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke
	I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this alternate state of the above design.
	Series: Untitled series of water creatures Robinson: Not listed Title: None Size: Chûtanzakuban (about 14 by 5 inches or 36 by 13 centimeters) Description: Sweetfish (ayu) and bushclover Date: c. 1837 Publisher: Tsujioka-ya Bunsuke
	Series: None Title: None Size: Kakemono-e (a vertical diptych approximately 28 by 10 inches or 72 by 25 centimeters) Description: A hawk in an old pine tree Date: c. 1845 Publisher: Mura-ya Seijirô
	Series: None Title: None Size: Kakemono-e (a vertical diptych approximately 28 by 10 inches or 72 by 25 centimeters) Description: Tiger walking on a windy day Date: c. 1830s-1840s Publisher: No seal
	I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this alternate state with green bamboo.
	I am grateful to Robert Pryor for this later edition with the bamboo removed.
	Series: None Title: None Size: Kakemono-e (a vertical diptych approximately 28 by 10 inches or 72 by 25 centimeters) Description: Dragon and clouds Date: Publisher: Unidentified seal
	Series: None Title: None Size: Kakemono-e (a vertical diptych approximately 28 by 10 inches or 72 by 25 centimeters) Description: Carp ascending a waterfall Date: Publisher: Maru-ya Seijirô

“Robinson” refers to listing of the series in Kuniyoshi by Basil William Robinson (Victoria and Albert Museum, London, 1961).

CLICK HERE TO GO TO PART II