Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Key facts

Lived

1798–1861, Japanese^[1]

Movement

• Ukiyo-e

^[1]

Works held in

10 museums

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• What is Utagawa Kuniyoshi's most famous work?+

  It is difficult to name a single work as Utagawa Kuniyoshi's most famous. He produced a large number of prints, book illustrations, and paintings during his career. Kuniyoshi is recognised today as one of the later masters of ukiyo-e (Japanese^[1] woodblock prints). He is associated with the Utagawa school. Kuniyoshi's artistic reputation rests on his innovative designs and his depictions of a wide range of subjects. Kuniyoshi's best-known prints include series of warriors, heroes, and mythical figures. The series *One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden All Told* (c. 1827^[1]-1830^[1]) established his popularity. He also produced actor prints, images of beautiful women, and satirical pieces. He is also known for his depictions of cats.
• What should I know about Utagawa Kuniyoshi's prints?+

  Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798^[1]-1861^[1]) was a prolific designer of Japanese^[1] woodblock prints during the late Edo period. Born Igusa Magosaburō, the son of a silk dyer, he apprenticed to Toyokuni in 1811^[1] and later studied the Tosa, Kanō, and Maruyama painting styles. Kuniyoshi's earliest known work is from 1814, illustrating Takezuka Tōshi’s book, “Peaceful Treasury of Loyal Retainers”. Kuniyoshi produced actor prints and prints of beautiful women; however, he is best known for warrior prints. His series “108 Popular Heroes of the Suikoden” from 1827 made him famous. Kuniyoshi's prints occasionally overlap with Kabuki theatre subjects, but rather than depicting actors for their fans, Kuniyoshi portrayed remote historical or mythological events. He also produced small-scale background for pictures of heroes or other figures. His output was extensive, including prints of beautiful women, actors, Western-style landscapes, erotica, game boards, and comical prints. He worked with over 150 publishers and designed nearly 250 series. Kuniyoshi headed a studio with many students, including Kyōsai, Yoshiiku, Yoshitora and Yoshitoshi. He died in 1861 and is buried in the Daisenji.
• What style or movement did Utagawa Kuniyoshi belong to?+

  Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798^[1]-1861^[1]) was a designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints of the late Edo period. He is known for warrior prints; however, his artistic output included prints of beautiful women, actors, and comical subjects. Kuniyoshi also produced many book illustrations. Kuniyoshi was apprenticed to Toyokuni in 1811^[1], and also studied the Tosa, Kanō and Maruyama painting styles. He became one of the principal print artists of the late Edo period, along with Hiroshige and Kunisada. His first known single print is a fighting scene from the kabuki play “Weaving a Brocade of Rags” from 1815. It was not until 1827 that Kuniyoshi made his name with the publication of the first five plates of the ‘108 Popular Heroes of the Suikoden’. He headed a large studio; some of his most talented students were Kyōsai, Yoshiiku, Yoshitora and Yoshitoshi. Kuniyoshi designed nearly 250 series and worked for over 150 publishers.
• What techniques or materials did Utagawa Kuniyoshi use?+

  Utagawa Kuniyoshi, born in 1798^[1], trained in standard Utagawa subjects such as actor-portraiture. He also studied Tosa, Kanō, and Maruyama painting styles. Japanese^[1] woodblock printing relies on specific materials and techniques. Wild mountain cherry (yamazakura) is ideal because it has a fine, even grain that is easy to carve without splintering. Wood from trees grown on mountains near the sea, especially on the Izu peninsula near Tokyo, is considered best. Wood from further north is harder to carve and does not take colour as well. Japanese woodblocks (hangi) are cut down the grain, unlike Western wood engraving. This allows for larger blocks and flowing lines. The hardest wood is used for keyblocks, while softer wood is used for colour blocks, as it takes flat colour better. Ideally, all blocks for one print are made from the same piece of wood.
• What was Utagawa Kuniyoshi known for?+

  Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798^[1]-1861^[1]) was a print artist of the late Edo period, best known for his warrior prints. Born the son of a silk dyer, Kuniyoshi apparently impressed Toyokuni with a drawing at age twelve and became his student. He also studied Tosa, Kanō, and Maruyama painting styles. Kuniyoshi's earliest known work includes illustrations in the book *Peaceful Treasury of Loyal Retainers* from 1814^[1]. His first single print depicts a fighting scene from the kabuki play *Weaving a Brocade of Rags*, staged in 1815. He designed actor prints, but found greater success with heroic warriors, starting around 1819. His breakthrough came with the series *One Hundred and Eight Heroes of a Popular Water Margin All Told*, beginning in 1827. Kuniyoshi then produced a stream of innovative works, cementing his place as a leading designer of warriors. His output peaked in the early 1840s. He also produced prints of beautiful women, actors, and comical subjects. Kuniyoshi designed nearly 250 series and illustrated over 240 books for well over 150 publishers. He headed a studio with many students, including Kyōsai, Yoshiiku, Yoshitora, and Yoshitoshi.
• When did utagawa kuniyoshi live?+

  Kuniyoshi lived from 1798^[1] to 1861^[1]. He was born on the fifteenth day of the eleventh month 1797, which corresponds to January 1st, 1798^[1], in the Western calendar.
• When did Utagawa Kuniyoshi live and work?+

  Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861^[1]) was a prominent designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints during the late Edo period in Japan. Born in Edo (modern Tokyo), he initially trained as a textile dyer. However, he later entered the studio of Utagawa Toyokuni, a leading print artist of the Utagawa school. Kuniyoshi's early work included actor prints and images of beautiful women (bijin-ga), in the style of his teacher. He struggled for recognition early in his career; however, his fortunes changed around 1827^[1] with the publication of his series "One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Water Margin" (Suikoden). These prints, depicting tattooed warriors from the popular Chinese novel, gained him immediate fame and established his reputation for dynamic, imaginative designs. Thereafter, Kuniyoshi produced a large number of prints on a variety of subjects, including historical events, mythical creatures, animals, and ghosts. He was known for his bold compositions, expressive figures, and inventive use of colour. His work influenced many later ukiyo-e artists.
• Where can I see Utagawa Kuniyoshi's work?+

  Kuniyoshi's woodblock prints can be viewed in several collections around the world. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London holds approximately 2,500 of his prints. Other significant collections include the Tokyo National Museum, which acquired over 8,000 prints from Henri Vever's collection in 1921. This collection includes ten surimono prints by Kuniyoshi. In Europe, the Museum für Ostasiatische Kunst in Cologne, Germany, has a collection that once prompted its director to organise a Kuniyoshi exhibition in 1963. The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam also possesses a collection with works by most surimono artists, though it lacks a published catalogue. In the United States, the Fogg Museum at Harvard University has a substantial surimono collection. Kuniyoshi's work was not always appreciated during his lifetime, but his dramatic and versatile style has since gained recognition. B. W. Robinson's monographs from 1961 and 1976 are important resources for those interested in the artist.
• Where was Utagawa Kuniyoshi from?+

  Utagawa Kuniyoshi was born in Edo (modern Tokyo). His family name was Igusa. He was born on the fifteenth day of the eleventh month of 1797 (or 1 January 1798^[1], by the Western calendar). His father, Yanaga Kichiemon, was a silk dyer. Some sources say that Yanaga was a friend of the artist Toyokuni, who later taught Kuniyoshi. Kuniyoshi lived first in Ushigome Shiroganechō, and later moved to Ryōgoku Yonezawachō. He began studying with Toyokuni around the age of twelve. He also studied the Tosa, Kanō, and Maruyama painting styles. Kuniyoshi left Toyokuni's studio around 1814^[1], taking on the art name by which he is known. He died in 1861^[1] and is buried in the Daisenji.
• Who did Utagawa Kuniyoshi influence?+

  Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861^[1]) was a significant figure in the ukiyo-e style of Japanese^[1] woodblock prints. He is known for his depictions of historical and mythical scenes, warriors, and animals. His work had an impact on many later artists, both in Japan and the West. One notable artist influenced by Kuniyoshi was Taiso Yoshitoshi (1839^[1]-1892), sometimes called the last great ukiyo-e master. Yoshitoshi was a student of Kuniyoshi. He adopted Kuniyoshi's dramatic style and interest in historical subjects. Yoshitoshi's prints often feature intense emotion and violent imagery, elements that can be traced back to Kuniyoshi's influence. Kuniyoshi's impact extended beyond direct students. His bold compositions and imaginative subject matter appealed to Western artists who encountered Japanese prints in the late 19th century. His influence can be seen in the work of artists associated with Japonisme, a Western art movement inspired by Japanese art. Kuniyoshi's influence contributed to the broader appreciation of Japanese art in the West.
• Who is utagawa kuniyoshi?+

  Kuniyoshi was the art surname of Igusa Magosaburō. He also used the art names Chōōrō, Ichiyūsai, Ryūen, and Ichimyōkai Hodoyoshi (on erotica).
• Who was utagawa kuniyoshi?+

  Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861^[1]) was a Japanese^[1] artist of the Utagawa school. He is known for his ukiyo-e woodblock prints. These prints include a variety of genres, such as historical scenes, landscapes, and portraits of actors. Born Yoshisaburō, Kuniyoshi demonstrated artistic talent early. He was apprenticed to Katsukawa Shun’ei, but after Shun’ei's death, Kuniyoshi was influenced by the work of Hokusai and Toyokuni I. Kuniyoshi's early work included musha-e (warrior prints). His series *One Hundred and Eight Heroes of the Popular Suikoden All Told* (1827^[1]-1830) brought him considerable attention. He also produced images of beautiful women (bijin-ga) and actors (yakusha-e). Later in his career, Kuniyoshi explored more fantastical and grotesque subjects. These include ghosts, demons, and monsters. He also designed prints of cats, a subject for which he is well known. Kuniyoshi's pupils included Yoshitoshi, one of the last great masters of ukiyo-e. His work is held in many collections, including the British Museum.