1. KUNIYOSHI UTAGAWA: “Kuniyoshi Yokai Hyakkei” (Dust jacket: Near Mint/ Hard Cover: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Published 1998. Japanese language text. hard cover. Size apprx.19 Cm x 26 Cm wide. 148 pages. Over 100 colour plates. Scholars speak regularly of Utamaro, Hokusai, and Hiroshige as the giants of the 18th and 19th-century woodblock-printing ("ukiyoe") tradition in Japan. Even so, for legions of “ukiyoe” fans, especially those in the West, nobody can match Kuniyoshi for the complexity of his drafting, drama of his compositions, and range of subject matter. And no publisher could have outdone this edition in so beautifully reproducing Kuniyoshi's work and so meticulously explaining it in both introductory essays and individual plate captions. is one of three volumes Hotei has issued on the work of this artist. Of the three volumes, it is most wide-ranging in scope, and therefore "Heroes and Ghosts" is the logical book with which to begin your acquaintance with Kuniyoshi. Because the book accompanied a 1998 exhibition organized by subject category, the sequencing of illustrations will not readily provide a sense of how Kuniyoshi's work evolved. Still, there is much to fascinate here, and this is a book and an artist that have so much to offer that numerous readings will not begin to exhaust the rich possibilities for drawing out new information and gaining new insights. This volume focuses on his demonic creatures and warriors, brilliantly reproduced selection and a marvel to get lost in. Price: 150 Euro

2. KUNIYOSHI UTAGAWA: “Kuniyoshi Yokai Hyakkei” (Dust jacket: Near Mint/ Hard Cover: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Published 1999. Japanese language text. hard cover. Size apprx.19 Cm x 26 Cm wide. 112 pages. Over 100 colour plates. Condition: Excellent. Second volume accompanying the one mentioned above. This volume focuses on Kuniyoshi’s depictions of ghosts and otherworldly creatures. Even has some sketches by him. Deliriously great and totally awe-inspiring. Out of print. Price: 150 Euro

3. OTOMO KATSUHIRO: “Otomo Katsuhiro Presents The Memory of Memories” (Kodansha - 1996) (Dust Jacket and Book: Near Mint). This book collects all the work behind MEMORIES. An omnibus animation film composed of three stories written by Katsuhiro Otomo. Among hundreds of sketches and paintings the book contains interviews and conversations with the artist involved in the creation of the film: Koji Morimoto, Toshiyuki Inoue, Takashi Watanabe, Tensai Okamura, Hirotsugu Kawasaki, Nakamura Terumi, Hiroaki Edamitsu, Hiroaki Ando, Hidekazu Ohara, Sunao Katabuchi and Katsuhiro Otomo himself. Stuffed from cover to cover with eye-popping artwork and drawings….just stunning. Top shape! Price: 65 Euro

4. TADANORI YOKOO: “Tadanori Yokoo Selected Posters 116” (Amus Art Press Japan -2001) (Book with Transparent Obi: Near Mint)  English version printed 2001, a great oversized high quality format of Tadanori Yokoo’s best poster art. Yokoo Tadanori, born 27 June 1936) is a Japanese graphic designer, illustrator, printmaker and painter. His practice stands on while tests the border between art and design. In a playful and dazzling signature style, Yokoo manifested frequent engagements with visual and cultural elements from both within Japan and overseas in his work. It may be expensive (it’s out of print as of this writing) but anyone with an interest in poster art or modern design in general would be thrilled with this collection. Yokoo’s work is a unique vision unto itself and now has many imitators. Few can work with collage and really pull off a beautiful as well as meaningful effect, Yokoo does both. Dealing with subjects both sacred and profane his work is modern, yet it still evokes timeless thoughts and images that have plagued man for an eternity. Near Mint copy, oversized 36,5 cm x 26cm – 115 pages full page colour illustrations, top shape. Price: 300 Euro

5. TERAYAMA SHUJI: “Sho O Suteyo Machi E Deyo” (Hagashoten – 1971) (Book: Near Mint/ Dust jacket: Excellent). 1971 first print. 285 pages – 13cm – 19cm. Cover to cover filled with artwork by Mishima Tento and Saeki Toshio. Groundbreaking literary work filled with Dadaist and Fluxus inspired art – all written and guided into good lanes by Japan’s enfant terrible of the arts Terayama Shuji, mastermind behind Tenjosajiki amongst numerous other exploits. Price: 150 Euro

6. YOSHITOSHI TSUKIOKA: “Yoshitoshi Yokai Hyakkei” (Kokusho Publishing) (Dust Jacket: Near Mint/ Hard Cover: Near Mint/ Obi: Near Mint). Published 2001, first edition. Japanese language text. Hard cover. Size apprx.19 Cm x 26 Cm wide. 90 pages. Over 100 color plates. Condition: Like new. Yoshitoshi was originally named Owariya Yonejiro, and was given the name Yoshitoshi by his master Kuniyoshi His early work is full of extremely graphic violence and death, perhaps mirroring the lawlessness and violence of the Japan around him, which was simultaneously going through the breakdown of the feudal system imposed by the Tokugawa Shoguns as well as the impact of the West. During this period his fame grew, and by 1869 he was regarded as one of the best woodblock artists in Japan Shortly thereafter, he ceased to receive commissions, perhaps because the public were tired of scenes of violence. By 1871 he became severely depressed, and his personal life became one of great turmoil, which was to continue sporadically until his death. He lived in appalling conditions with his devoted mistress, Okoto, who sold off her clothes and possessions to support him. At one point they were reduced to burning the floor-boards from the house for warmth. His fortunes started to turn by 1973 when his mood improved, and he started to produce more prints. In recognition of his improved circumstances, at this point he changed his family name to Taiso (meaning "great resurrection"). Newspapers sprung up in the modernization drive, and Yoshitoshi was hired to produce prints for one. His financial condition was still precarious, though, and in 1876, his mistress Okoto, in a gesture of devotion which is typically Japanese, sold herself to a brothel to help him. In his last years, his mental problems started to recur. In early 1891 he invited friends to a gathering of artists that turned out to be a delusion. After more symptoms, he was admitted to a mental hospital. He eventually left, in May 1892 but did not return home, instead renting rooms. He died there three weeks later, on June 9, 1892, from a cerebral hemorrhage. He was only 53 years old. Yoshitoshi's final series of prints was his Shinkei sanjûrokkaisen (New Forms of Thirty-six Ghosts), first published by Sasaki Toyokichi between April 1889 and July 1892. As Yoshitoshi became ill and would die before the last three designs of the set were published, he might have been assisted near the end by his students Toshikata (1866-1908) and Toshihide (1863-1925), but the extent of their involvement is unknown. Except for at least one design, the title cartouches in the prints from the first edition have three colors, distinguishing them from later impressions bearing only two colors in the cartouches. This stunning collection focuses solely on Yoshitoshi’s ghosts and demons engravings, such as his 36 Ghosts series and other prints that depict like no other artists beauty, violence and insanity. Highest recommendation and eerie to say the least. Price: 100 Euro