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ROCK SEA BREAM (ISHIDAI) / Bakufu Ohno
1939
RESERVED
Rock Sea Bream (Ishidai)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume II
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1939
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold and silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Rock Sea Bream (Ishidai)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume II
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1939
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold and silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Details
The rock sea bream's bold black bands immediately establish a powerful visual rhythm. Ohno uses these markings to structure the composition, creating a harmonious interplay between pattern and form. The strong contrast between the dark stripes and the lighter body produces an image of exceptional clarity and impact.
Despite the graphic strength of the design, the artist remains attentive to subtler aspects of the fish's appearance. Delicate tonal transitions model the body, while finely printed details preserve the individuality of the species. The result is a composition that balances decorative abstraction with scientific accuracy.
Connoisseur's Note
Among the many species represented in the series, the rock sea bream demonstrates nature's own capacity for sophisticated design. Its distinctive striping recalls patterns found in textiles, ceramics, and other decorative arts, making it a particularly appealing subject for an artist deeply attuned to visual structure.
Collectors often regard this design as one of the most memorable in Volume II. The immediate visual impact of the patterning ensures its appeal, while the underlying refinement of the composition rewards sustained study.
More prints by Bakufu Ohno:
Mebaru (Rockfish)
Bakufu Ohno (1888-1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan; Vol. 1 No. 7
MEDIUM: Woodblock Print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 15 5/8 x 11 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
LITERATURE: Reita Hirase, Akira Tomita, Hiroko Shimizu, Art Portfolio of Fishes by Bakufu Ohno, 2013
SOLD
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Flying Fishes (Tobiuo)
Bakufu Ohno (1888-1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan
MEDIUM: Woodblock Print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 11 x 15 5/8 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note—tipped onto original presentation mat; not framed
LITERATURE: Reita Hirase, Akira Tomita, Hiroko Shimizu, Art Portfolio of Fishes by Bakufu Ohno, 2013, pl. 58
SOLD
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Lobster
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock Print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 11 1/8 × 15 ¾ inches
CONDITION: Excellent; vibrant and vivid colors; no problems to note
NOTE: Second edition
$950.00
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File-Fish (Kawahagi)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock Print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 11 1/8 × 15 ¾ inches
CONDITION: Excellent; crisp impression with vivid color and silver mica background; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition, with publisher’s circle and rectangular seals
SOLD
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Flying Fish
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock Print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 11 1/8 × 15 ¾ inches
CONDITION: Excellent; crisp impression with vivid color and silver mica highlights; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition, with publisher’s circle and rectangular seals
SOLD
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Boxfish
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
MEDIUM: Sumi on paper
DATE: 1940s
DIMENSIONS: 49 × 8 ½ inches (image), 73 × 9 ¾ inches with mount
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: Original painting mounted as a hanging scroll
RESERVED
Lobster (Iseebi)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1937
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
NOTE: First edition; gold metallic pigment
RESERVED
Bera
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1937
DIMENSIONS: 15 × 10 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold and silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Sea Bream (Tai)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1937
DIMENSIONS: 15 × 10 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold and silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Sea Bream (Tai)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1937
DIMENSIONS: 15 × 10 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold and silver metallic pigment
SOLD
Carp (Koi)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1937
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold metallic pigment
RESERVED
Mackerel (Saba)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1937
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Brocade Carp (Higoi)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1937
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold metallic pigment
RESERVED
Sea Robin (Hobo)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1937
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold metallic pigment
RESERVED
Striped Isagi (Shimaisagi)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1937
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver and gold metallic pigment
RESERVED
File-Fish (Kawahagi)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
File-Fish (Kawahagi)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: Early second edition; silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Goldfish (Kingyo)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 15 × 10 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Crucian (Funa)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 15 × 10 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold metallic pigment
RESERVED
Flying Fish (Tobiuo)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver metallic pigment
SOLD
Flying Fish (Tobiuo)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Rainbow Trout (Nijimasu)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Rainbow Trout (Nijimasu)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver and gold metallic pigment
RESERVED
Rockfish (Mebaru)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Flounder Flatfish (Karei)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 15 × 10 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold metallic pigment
RESERVED
Flounder Flatfish (Karei)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume I
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 15 × 10 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold metallic pigment
RESERVED
Catfish (Namazu)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume II
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1938
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
School of Higai Fish
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume II
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1939
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold and silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
Oikawa
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
SERIES: Familiar Fishes of Japan, Volume II
MEDIUM: Woodblock print
DATE: 1939
DIMENSIONS: 10 × 15 inches
CONDITION: Excellent; no problems to note
NOTE: First edition; gold and silver metallic pigment
RESERVED
c. 1930s
RESERVED
Carp (Koi)
Bakufu Ohno (1888–1976)
MEDIUM: Sumi and mineral pigment on paper
DATE: c. 1930s
DIMENSIONS: 17 × 20 inches (image), 52 x 26 inches with mount
CONDITION: Light staining in image
NOTE: Original painting mounted as a hanging scroll
RESERVED