(1760-1849) Onden no suisha (The Waterwheel at Onden, sheet title below in the vertical cartouche), from the series: "Fugaku sanjurokkei" (Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji), nishiki-e, signature (zen Hokusai Iitsu hitsu (also transcribed as: saki no Hokusai Iitsu hitsu, the signature is at lower left in the picture). Censor seal (round, at the right near the signature: kiwame, publisher’s seal (under the censor seal): Eijudo (Nishimuraya Yohachi), dated c. 1832. According to Gordon Friese, who was able to examine the present sheet on the basis of a photograph, this item is an impression from the original woodblocks. All the lines of the black plate match those of originals of undisputed authenticity. In the section containing the signature, a wood grain is discernible which can be found in original impressions. The hills above the clouds are recognisable in two woodblocks, but the plates were not printed exactly on top of each other. Later editions do not show any censor or publisher’s seal, whereas they are visible on this sheet. The colours are good. The print condition is good (losses to the Fuji; slight broad dents to the water of the stream under the mill wheel). The sheet shows a vertical centre crease and is trimmed (a beam is missing on the left, the tortoise at the bottom is partly cut). The lower corner is ruffled. Some irregularities of the printed image are visible in the sky. Compare: Museum of Fine Arts Boston No. 21.6767 (2 woodblocks of the hills not recognisable), Metropolitan Museum of Art No. JP1336 (2 woodblocks of the hills clearly recognisable), lower corners somewhat creased, centerfold and upper and lower margin each backed with adhesive strips, slightly stained, attached to support, mounted, 24.1 x 36.5 cm,(CT)

Provenance:
Viennese Private Collection.