Sell Ukiyo-e

Sell your antique Japanese Ukiyo-e

Do you own an antique Japanese Ukiyo-e print or collection that you are considering selling?
Supein Nihonto buys authentic Japanese Ukiyo-e directly from private collectors, families, estates and dealers worldwide.
We are interested in individual prints, albums, triptychs, series, signed works, prints by recognised artists and complete collections.
If you are unsure about the artist, period, edition or authenticity of your print, send us clear photographs and we can assess it.
ukiyo-e categorý

What Ukiyo-e do we buy?

We consider a wide variety of authentic Japanese prints and related works, including:
antique Japanese Ukiyo-e
  • Edo-period ukiyo-e
  • Meiji-period Japanese prints
  • Individual woodblock prints
  • Diptychs
  • Triptychs
  • Multi-sheet compositions
  • Print albums
  • Complete series
  • Actor prints
  • Bijin-ga
  • Landscape prints
  • Warrior prints
  • Yokai and supernatural subjects
  • Kabuki subjects
  • Historical scenes
  • Famous places
  • Nature and bird-and-flower subjects
  • Prints with publisher seals
  • Signed prints
  • Works with provenance
  • Complete collections
We are primarily interested in authentic Japanese prints with historical, artistic or collector value.

What is Ukiyo-e?

Ukiyo-e refers to a major tradition of Japanese art that flourished particularly during the Edo period and continued into the Meiji era.
The term is closely associated with woodblock prints depicting subjects such as:
  • Kabuki actors
  • Beautiful women
  • Landscapes
  • Famous places
  • Samurai
  • Historical events
  • Folklore
  • Ghosts and supernatural subjects
  • Animals
  • Flowers
  • Everyday life
Many Ukiyo-e works were produced through collaboration between an artist, woodblock carver, printer and publisher.
antique Japanese Ukiyo-e
antique Japanese Ukiyo-e

Japanese woodblock prints

Most Ukiyo-e prints were produced using carved wooden blocks.
Different blocks could be used for:
  • Outline
  • Colours
  • Gradients
  • Decorative effects
  • Embossing
Depending on the period and print, several impressions from the same design may exist.
This means that two prints of the same image can differ significantly in:
  • Colour
  • Registration
  • Paper
  • Condition
  • Edition
  • Printing quality
  • Publisher
  • Seals
  • Later restoration
These differences can significantly influence collector interest.

Original impressions and later editions

A famous Ukiyo-e design may exist in different impressions or editions.
These can include:
  • Early impressions
  • Later contemporary impressions
  • Meiji-period reprints
  • Later publisher editions
  • 20th-century reproductions
  • Modern decorative reproductions
The image alone is therefore not enough to establish age or value.
We may assess:
  • Paper
  • Printing
  • Pigments
  • Seals
  • Margins
  • Publisher marks
  • Impression quality
  • Wear
  • Provenance
If you are unsure which edition you own, send us photographs.
antique Japanese Ukiyo-e
antique Japanese Ukiyo-e

Artists and signatures

Many Ukiyo-e prints carry an artist’s signature or seal.
Recognised artists may include figures associated with different schools and periods.
When assessing a print, we may consider:
  • Artist
  • Signature
  • Seal
  • Publisher
  • Series
  • Subject
  • Historical period
  • Impression
  • Edition
  • Condition
  • Provenance
A famous artist’s name on a print does not by itself prove that the work is an early or valuable impression.

Publisher seals and censor seals

Marks and seals can provide useful information when identifying Japanese prints.
These may include:
  • Publisher seals
  • Censor seals
  • Date seals
  • Artist seals
  • Collector stamps
  • Later dealer marks
Please photograph these details closely.
Even a small seal can help with identification and dating.
antique Japanese Ukiyo-e

What photographs should i send?

Please send:
Full front view, full reverse, signature, artist seal, publisher seal, censor or date seals, margins, corners, paper surface, any damage, backing or mounting, frame labels, provenance documentation.
For triptychs or series, photograph the pieces both individually and together.
antique Japanese Ukiyo-e

What determines the value of ukiyo-e?

The value of an antique Japanese print depends on a combination of factors.
These may include:
Artist, series, subject, historical period, edition, impression quality, colour, rarity, condition, margins, paper, publisher, completeness, provenance, collector demand.
Two examples of the same design can have very different values depending on impression and condition.

Single sheets, diptychs and triptychs

Many Japanese compositions were designed across more than one sheet.
These can include:
  • Diptychs
  • Triptychs
  • Larger multi-panel compositions
If you have several prints that appear to belong together, please keep them as a group.
Do not separate a complete composition before it has been assessed.
Photograph:
  • Each sheet individually
  • All sheets together
  • Edges and margins
  • Any matching seals or signatures
Completeness can be important.
antique Japanese Ukiyo-e
antique Japanese Ukiyo-e

Ukiyo-e albums and complete series

We also consider albums and groups of prints preserved together.
These may include:
  • Complete print series
  • Bound albums
  • Matching groups
  • Thematic collections
  • Artist-focused collections
  • Regional collections
  • Family collections accumulated over time
If you have a large group, you do not need to photograph every sheet individually at first. Overview images are sufficient for an initial assessment.

How the selling process works

Complete the form and upload clear photographs of the print or collection.
We assess artist, subject, printing, condition, edition, provenance and collector interest.
We may request close-ups of seals, paper, reverse, margins or associated documentation.
If the work is of interest and an agreement is reached, we will explain the next steps for payment and secure delivery.

Sell an ukiyo-e collection

We also purchase complete collections of Japanese prints.
These may include:
  • Edo-period prints
  • Meiji-period prints
  • Landscape series
  • Actor prints
  • Bijin-ga
  • Samurai prints
  • Triptychs
  • Albums
  • Complete series
  • Mixed artist collections
  • Framed prints
  • Prints with provenance
For large collections, you do not need to prepare a professional catalogue.
Overview photographs and detailed images of the most important works are sufficient for the initial contact.

Not sure whether your print is original?

You do not need to determine this yourself.
The market includes:
Period impressions, later impressions, reprints, facsimiles, modern reproductions, decorative prints.
Assessment may require consideration of:
Paper, pigments, printing quality, seals, margins, reverse, impression, provenance.
Send us clear photographs and whatever information you have available.

Sell your Ukiyo-e

If you own an antique Japanese Ukiyo-e print or a complete collection that you are considering selling, send us photographs for an initial specialist assessment.
Signed or unsigned blades, certified swords, inherited pieces and complete collections are welcome.

    One itemSeveral itemsA complete collectionAn inherited collectionI am not sure

    YesNoI am not sure

    What our customers say

    SupeinNihonto was born from years of dedication to traditional Japanese martial arts such as Aikido, Kendo, and Iaido, and a deep passion for collecting authentic samurai weapons and armor.
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    Stephan S
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    Excellent dealer of Japanese antiques. Absolutely trustworthy with a superb selection.
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    Meixia l
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    我是一名常驻中国的室内设计师。当时我正在为一位客户的办公室寻找正宗的日本藏品,偶然了解到了Supein Nihonto。我们当时专门想找两套武士铠甲,将其作为空间的视觉核心。 整个合作过程中,埃里克提供了极大的帮助。他解答了我关于铠甲的各类疑问,包括铠甲的历史背景、尺寸规格、陈列方式以及物流运输等问题。尽管我们身处不同国家,他把所有事宜都处理得清晰明了。 铠甲如期送达,摆放在完工后的办公室里效果十分惊艳。最重要的是,我的客户对最终效果非常满意。 这次合作体验极佳。今后如果有室内设计项目需要采购正宗日本古董,我一定会再次选择这家。
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    May G
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    Great atention from the stuff, all the question was nicelly answered and the armor was very decorative and real gorgeous piece of art. Very happy with everything! Many thanks Supein nihonto!
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    Erika L
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    Compré una armadura Gusoku y todo muy bien, tenía algunas preguntas y Eric ha sido capaz de contestar todo lo que no sabía, llegó todo muy bien embalado y bastante rápido. El Kabuto es muy bonito y está muy bien conservado.
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    Eric T
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    J'ai pu échanger de visu avec Eric. C'est un vrai passionné, qui maîtrise son sujet. Je le recommande vivement, surtout dans ce milieu ou le meilleur se mélange avec les pires escrocs
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    Daniel L
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    Hervorragende Dienstleistung, Qualität und persönliche Betreuung! Ich habe bereits drei Stücke von Supein Nihonto gekauft und hatte nie Probleme. Nach schlechten Erfahrungen mit anderen japanischen Händlern – lange Lieferzeiten und sogar ein verlorenes Paket – bin ich zu dieser Firma gewechselt. Ich werde ihnen treu bleiben und meine bereits beeindruckende Sammlung weiter ausbauen.
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    Mik B
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    Ho acquistato da Eric un’armatura samurai di grande fascino e qualità, e l’esperienza è stata eccellente sotto ogni aspetto. Fin dal primo contatto si è dimostrato estremamente professionale, competente e disponibile nel fornire tutte le informazioni richieste, accompagnandomi con trasparenza durante l’intero processo di acquisto. L’oggetto ricevuto corrisponde perfettamente alla descrizione e alle aspettative, con una cura nei dettagli che testimonia una profonda conoscenza del settore. Ho particolarmente apprezzato la serietà, la correttezza commerciale e l’attenzione riservata al cliente, qualità oggi sempre più rare da trovare. La spedizione è stata accurata e l’armatura è arrivata in perfette condizioni. Consiglio vivamente Eric a collezionisti, appassionati di arte e cultura giapponese e a chiunque sia alla ricerca di oggetti autentici e di alto livello. Grazie ancora per questa splendida acquisizione che rappresenta uno dei pezzi più interessanti della mia collezione. Mik – Roma, Italia
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    Emanuele S
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    I had an excellent experience with Supein Nihoto. I purchased a katana and a wakizashi, and both pieces are truly beautiful — carefully selected and of remarkable quality. You can immediately see the attention to detail and the seller’s passion for what he offers. The packaging was also exceptional: all the documentation was perfectly arranged in a refined envelope, which added a very elegant touch to the whole experience. As a thoughtful gesture, he even included a small katana kake stand as a gift, which I greatly appreciated. Beyond the objects themselves, the seller was very helpful, responsive, and clearly knowledgeable. His selection is outstanding, and you can tell he deals in genuinely fine items. Highly recommended — I would definitely purchase from Supein Nihoto again
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    Dimitrios K
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    Legit dealer of Japanese treasures ! This man loves his work is not just reselling items, at first he is a collector and does this out of true passion.
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    Burke J
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    I received a beautiful tokubetsu hozon nihonto for Christmas from Supein. Actually my wife purchased the sword after receiving some helpful hints and recommendations lol. She knows absolutely nothing about nihonto but Supein walked her through everything honestly and I ended up with something beyond my dreams and expectations, honestly. The packing was exceptional, shipping fast and the sword itself a literal work of art. Supein has a lifetime customer now as my collection grows. Thank you!
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