Utagawa Yoshitora 歌川芳虎 (JAPAN, active circa 1836-1887) A fire fighter with his brigade banner (matoi) Ōban tata-e woodblock print Publisher: Kobayashi Tetsujirô (Maruya Tetsujirô) Dimensions (the leaf): 35,2 x 24,6 cm Provenance: A large collection of 100+ Japanese woodblock prints, properties from a French collector. Notes: The oldest pupil of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Utagawa Yoshitora was a designer of ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints and an illustrator of books and newspapers who was active from about 1850 to about 1880. Yoshitora was prolific: he produced over 60 print series and illustrated over 100 books. From the 1860s Yoshitora produced Yokohama-e pictures of foreigners amid rapid modernization that came to Japan after the country was opened to trade. He also collaborated on a number of landscape series. A rare and sought-after subject. Compare with a related print preserved in the collection of the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) of Boston, USA, under accession number 11.41313. Click HERE to see the related print. NOTE: CONDITION REPORTS AND MEASUREMENTS It is up to the bidder to satisfy themselves prior to buying as to the condition of a lot. In relation to Condition Reports, whilst we make certain observations on the lot, which are intended to be as helpful as possible, references in the condition report to damage or restoration are for guidance. The absence of such a reference does not imply that an item is free from defects or restoration, nor does a reference to particular defects imply the absence of any others. The condition report is an expression of opinion only and must not be treated as a statement of fact. Measurements and weight are approximate and the potential bidder may re-ask it to be checked when asking for a condition report.