The Care-of-the-aged Falls in Mino Province

Woodblock Prints Title: The Care-of-the-aged Falls in Mino Province (Mino no kuni Yôrô no taki)

Publication: 1832

Size: Vertical ôban; 35.7 x 26 cm (14 1/16 x 10 1/4 in.)

Publisher: Nishimuraya Yohachi (Eijudô)

Signature: Saki no Hokusai Aratame Hitsu 前北斎為一筆

Original:

2 originals from different sources:



Estimated Value: Ref # TJW6

Other Versions:

1/Enji Takamizawa's Replica 1918

Enji Takamizawa's replicas are near perfect, and designed to deceive collectors and experts. The key blocks are very similar to the original, the paper used has the same thickness and consistency, even the hues and pigments are from the 19th century. Many museums still carry his replicas and have them listed as originals. All the replicas from this series were made based on "trimmed" originals, so Takamizawa had to "re-create" the missing edges. If it wasn't for that mistake, the set could easily pass for a second state. Images 1 & 2 are the replica, image 3 is the original for comparison.

A quick way to distinguish the difference between the original and the near perfect replica is by the missing clouds in the replica, replaced by a simple bokashi. See Pictures below :

An important point when it come to the value of this replica, is that since Takamizawa was attempting to sell these prints as "originals", he also priced them as such. When they were sold in the early 1920's, they were sold between $ 1,000 to $ 1,500 of today's current money value.
Estimated Value: Ref # TJW6a

2/ Adachi's replica 1950's

Images 1 & 2 are the replica, image 3 is the original 1st state for comparison.

1/ Sky area much smaller than the original
2/ Hole in the tree much longer in the Adachi edition.

Estimated Value: $Ref # TJW6c

3/ Oedo Mokuhansha's replica 1960's

Published by Kaiseisha / Oedo mokuhansha; Carved by Torazo Matsuda, Printed by Isamu Nakai.

Images 1 & 2 are the replica, image 3 is the original 1st state for comparison.

1/ The cloud line is much longer in the replica
2/ The blue lines of the river reach the bush, as in the original, there is a white break
3/ The right margin and lower right corner have some ink smudges.

Estimated Value: Ref # TJW6b