36 Views of Mt Fuji #15 Kajikazawa by Hokusai
Pure Aizure-e

Artist: Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849)

Woodblock Prints Title: Kajikazawa in Kai Province (Kôshû Kajikazawa), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjûrokke)

1st Publication: November 1830

Size: 14-1/2 x 10

Date of this edition: November 1830, first Edition, the extremely rare Aizure-e state

Publisher: Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudô)

Condition: Trimmed a little on the right side of the print. Some foxing, and slight color fading. Upper margin is toned on the back due to prior mounting. An ink stain in the sky area near the Mt Fuji. Good to very good overall condition.

Notes: We were able to retrieve 5 unique, unpublished ink drawings and 2 pure Aizuri-e blue print from the 36 views of Mt Fuji, from the estate of Margaret Ann Niedringhaus (Peg Palmer). She founded the Pacificulture Foundation,(PCF) now called the Pacific Asia Museum, (PAM) in Pasadena, California and served as president from 1970 to 1971.

A large part of her collection was gifted to the museum. It is needless to say how this artwork is absolutely fantastic and exceptional.

There are a few variation made of this print, chronologically:

1/ The Azuri-e : Also known as the "Pure Aizuri state", it is an all blue edition, using only the Prussian blue color ( Aka Bero, or Berlin Blue). This was the first state of this edition, and the most sought after. Only 5 prints from the 36 views of Mt Fuji are know in this state, published in a group of 5 prints by November 1830. The entire print is made in different shades of blue, and might contain some black section for some prints.***

2/ The Blue Outline aka Juni-aizuri-e (Semi All Blue) : Same that the previous one, but this variation has a some salmon and red instead of the blue in some area of the print. For Kajikazawa, you will find them on the clouds around Mount Fuji, and the brown in the jackets of the persons. See example HERE

3/ The Black Outline : This more colorful version is called the black outline, meaning the title and borders around it use black ink instead of blue. You will also see some yellow, some brown color variation, different shades of green throughout the print See example HERE

A similar aizuri-e version sold at Christies sold in October 1994 for $ 123,500 See result HERE
The actual estimated value of this print, in this condition range between $35,000 to $50,000

You will note that this version bear the Kiwame and publisher seal. The seals were randomly applied. Some have it, some don't. This is particularly true for all the prints from the 36 views of Mt Fuji Series, no matter which version, aizuri-e, Juni-Aizuri-e (blue) or black outline.

More about this print:

Pictures: Pictures are taken outdoor, in the shade, to reflect true colors, without any enhancements of any kind. The last picture is taken indoor, with a light behind the print, to reveal the exact paper grain, holes if any, or other possible flaws.

*** If you want to know all the details about the Aizuri-e story, please read this article from Henry Smith, called Hokusai and the blue revolution, also published in the book "Hokusai and his age". Page 257 of this book confirm Ushibori as being one of the 5 first print from the series being printed in the pure aizuri state. Article Hokusai and the blue Revolution