Lot 251

A MID 19TH C. BUDDHIST HISTORY WOODBLOCK PRINT SUGOROKU

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A MID 19TH C. BUDDHIST HISTORY WOODBLOCK PRINT SUGOROKU

Estimate: $800 - $1,200

Starting Bid: $400

(0 Bids)

by Soulis Auctions
June 27, 2026 11:30 AM CDT
Live Auction
529 West Lone Jack-Lee’s Summit Rd
Lone Jack, MO, US 64070

Utagawa Kuniteru I (Active C. 1818-1860)

Yamato Fuzoku Taishi Sugoroku

1847-1852

Sugoroku was a color woodblock print path-style board game similar to the modern day game of Snakes and Ladders. In 19th century Japan players often learned of new places or historical events while playing. This mid-19th century woodblock-printed Sugoroku board game by Utagawa Kuniteru I chronicles the life of Prince Shotoku with figures and references relating to the introduction of Buddhism to the Japanese court. The historical and legendary figures associated with Buddhism are portrayed as dozens of character portraits in an architectural grid where they are depicted in Kabuki style, but holding ritual items, such as fans, flowers (the peony, which carries Buddhist symbolic weight), scrolls and small shrines.

Sight size measures 18.25 x 26.75 with a framed size of 24.75 x 33.5 inches.

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  • Provenance: The estate of John Adair Jr. (1942-2025), founder and proprietor of Kurofune Antiques in Tokyo (est. 1978), a world-renowned destination for Japanese basketry, prints and furniture featured in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Wall Street Journal.
  • Dimensions: Sight size measures 18.25 x 26.75 with a framed size of 24.75 x 33.5 inches.
  • Medium: Prints
  • Circa: 1847-1852
  • Condition: Exceptional condition, no visible fold lines, very subtle barely visible hardly perceptible sheet joints, excellent condition, strong colors, no visible stain, no damage, repair, punctures or tears. This work has not been examined outside the frame but is clearly an outstanding example with great color.

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Shipping

SHIPPING: After verifying that payment has been made and or all funds have cleared, Dirk Soulis Antiques LLC DBA Soulis Auctions will, as a courtesy to the client, undertake the packing and shipping of most purchases. Large items, Furniture, International Shipments and items deemed excessively fragile by Soulis Auctions may require special handling by a third party. Soulis Auctions will coordinate with the buyer's chosen shipper in these instances and will endeavor to provide as much assistance as possible. The cost for shipping handled in-house starts at $16 per box and or the actual cost of wood crate construction, in addition to the cost of insurance and postage or carrier charges. The cost of crates range by size; the majority fall into the range of $50 to $150.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $49 $5
$50 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $99,999 $2,000
$100,000 + $10,000