"Sawamura Tossho at Hakone Waterfall", (Mitate Hakone no taki) Woodblock print in colours with mica at the upper part of the image, 37 x 25,5 cm, ca 1870. Depicting Iinuma Katsugoro, played by the second generation Sawamura Totsusho, striking a dramatic pose with a waterfall in the background. The waterfall where Hatsuhana performs her ritual ablution in the story is said to be located in the mountains of Tōnosawa. "Ichikawa Sadanji at Fudo Waterfall", (Mitate Fudo no taki) Woodblock print in colours, 36,7 x 25,2 cm, ca 1870. Depicting Ichikawa Sadanji in front of a waterfall. Holding up a large stone statue of Fudo (One of the Five Kings of Wisdom in Esoteric Buddhism and the guardian god of waterfalls). "Actor Nakamura Shikan IV as Priest Mongaku Shōnin in the "Parody Mitate Nachi no Taki Mongaku Shōnin". Woodblock print in colours with mica at the upper part of the image, 36,9 x 25,5 cm, 1875. Published by Tsujiokaya Kamekichi. Depicting Mongaku Shonin doing penance under the Nachi Waterfall after murdering Kesa Gozen. His hands are clasped in prayer and he clenches in his mouth the bell used by certain sects of Buddhism. "Ichikawa Danjuro as Magician Jiraiya at Kurohime Waterfall", (Mitate Kurohime-yama no taki). Woodblock print in colours with mica at the upper part of the image, 37 x 25,7 cm, 1875. Depicting a fantasy role of Ichikawa Danjuro playing the role of the magician Jiraiya in front of Kurohimeyama waterfall. "Onoe Kikugoro with Earth Spider Robe and Unrolled Scroll and Waterfall". Woodblock print in colours with mica at the upper part of the image, 36,7 x 25,2 cm, 1875. Depicting the kabuki actor Onoe Kikugoro unrolls a scroll, looking up in a dramatic moment of realization during a specific scene. He wears a robe that is decorated with Tsuchigumo, the hideous earth spider, and its spreading web. Behind him is a waterfall and falling maple- and ginko leaves. "Bando Hikosaburo as Otsuji at Shido-ji Temple Waterfall". Woodblock print in colours, 37 x 25,2 cm, 1875. Depicting the kabuki scene from the tale of the Tamiya Botaro of his nurse Otsuji doing penance under a rushing waterfall at Shido-ji Temple. "Actor from the Nakamura family beneath a waterfall". Woodblock print in colours with mica at the upper part of the image, 36,8 x 25 cm, 1875. 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 age-related wear and soft handling creases. Overall in good condition. For any questions, please contact lisa.mejeritcher@stockholmsauktionsverk.com. Category: Swedish Folk Art/Other Estimate: 4000 SEK