Set of 4 Antique Japanese Edo Woodblock Prints – Haiku and Kyoka Poetry, Issa and Buson Style, Mounted Ukiyo-e

Discover a unique glimpse into Japanese cultural heritage with this rare set of four original Edo-period woodblock prints, each beautifully combining calligraphy and illustration. Carefully researched, these prints are linked to some of the greatest names of Japanese haiku and haiga art.

Each piece measures approximately 21.5 × 24.5 cm and comes mounted on sturdy cardboard, preserving its authenticity and making them ready for framing.

✔️Print 1: A playful kyōka (comic poem) referencing the famous crow haiku by Matsuo Bashō, reimagined in a humorous Edo style. The work likely comes from a circle of late 18th-century kyōka poets inspired by Ōta Nanpo’s parodies, with the brushwork suggesting an original surimono piece.

✔️ Print 2: An evocative haiku by Kobayashi Issa — one of the four great haiku masters — describing the quiet melancholy of autumn leaves falling as the poet sits hugging his knees. The minimal ink drawing resembles Issa’s own haiga sketches.

✔️ Print 3: A warm everyday scene, probably inspired by Issa as well: a traveler steps into town for a quick smoke, a nod to Issa’s well-known fondness for small, humble pleasures of life. The crossed tobacco pipes (kiseru) reflect this intimate domestic motif.

✔️ Print 4: A lyrical night scene of fireflies and a garden lantern — a theme famously painted by Yosa Buson, another major haiku poet and master of ink painting. The graceful brush lines and subtle light effects echo Buson’s delicate haiga tradition.

Each print bears signs of the Edo period — slight foxing, gentle age spots, and a naturally toned paper that speaks to its genuine antique character. The elegant calligraphy and imagery capture the Zen spirit of transience, seasonal beauty, and poetic reflection.

✅ Details:

Period: Edo, late 18th to early 19th century
Origin: Japan
Materials: Woodblock print on washi paper, mounted on cardboard
Dimensions: ~21.5 × 24.5 cm each
Condition: Good antique condition, age-appropriate wear
These authentic works offer not only visual beauty but also a direct link to Japan’s literary past — perfect for collectors, lovers of haiku, or anyone wanting to add a serene wabi-sabi accent to their interior.

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If you're captivated by vintage works from the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including scrolls, shikishi, paintings, calligraphy, oshi-e, posters and vintage prints of renowned Japanese artists, explore our other gallery, JapaneseArtY, at https://japanesearty.etsy.com.


Please note that antique and vintage artworks may have traces of time, stains and creases due to age, so please review all photos.
We upload photos where you can check the condition of the item. But sometimes the photos may not show everything. Also, the colors in the photos may not match the original. Please feel free to ask for additional photos.
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Before shipping, all artworks are placed in special cardboard envelopes/boxes and cardboard to ensure their safety during transportation.
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