Poem by Udaishō Michitsuna's Mother, 右大将道綱母 藤屋伊左エ門, (Fujiya Izaemon) Woodblock print in colours, 36,4 x 24,8 cm, ca 1845-1848. Published by Ibaya Senzaburō (Dansendō). "Lying all alone, Through the hours of the night, Till the daylight comes: Can you realize at all The emptiness of that night?" Poem by Kōkamon'in no Bettō, 皇加門院別当 足軽市右エ門 (Ashigaru Ichiemon) Woodblock print in colours, 36,4 x 24,8 cm, ca 1845-1848. Published by Ibaya Senzaburō (Dansendō). "After one brief night-- Short as a piece of the reeds Growing in Naniwa bay-- Must I forever long for him With my whole heart, till life ends?" PROVENANCE The collection of Dr Eugen Milch (1889-1958), Austrian physician and artist. During the First World War he practiced as a medical officer. Milch was a true globetrotter - in the early 1920s, he travelled across Europe on a combined study and painting tour. In 1924, he married Emma Bormann, and the couple visited Sweden that same year. Together with the artist Oskar Bergman, they exhibited a number of paintings at Liljevalchs in Stockholm. In 1937, Eugen left for China with other Austrian physicians at the invitation of the Chinese government, and was joined by his wife two years later. The initial posting didn’t materialize, but in 1938 he became superintendent of a hospital in Beihai, China. In 1941, when Japanese forces occupied part of the South China coast, including Beihai, the Milch family managed to move to Shanghai. While in China, Eugen and Emma decided to separate. Eugen went on to assist British forces in China, for which he was awarded British citizenship. Continuing his travels, he went to Japan to study the aftermath of the war, and this is where he probably acquired the present collection of Japanese woodblock prints. He died in Hong Kong in 1958. Thence by descent within the family. Condition: Some surface dirt, soft creases, minor paper loss. Colours slightly faded, overall in good condition. For any questions, please contact lisa.mejeritcher@stockholmsauktionsverk.com. Category: Asiatica/Other Estimate: 2000 SEK