Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Utagawa Kuniyoshi was a master of ukiyo-e in the 19th century. He is known for his bold and vivid warrior paintings, and left behind a wide range of creative works.

Biography of Kuniyoshi Utagawa

• Born in Edo on January 1, 1798
• He became a disciple of Utagawa Toyokuni and became an ukiyo-e artist.
• He produced his masterpiece in the late 1830s.
• Died in Edo on April 14, 1861

Representative works

• "Warrior Paintings" series 1830s-40s
• "The Imperial Materials of Toshogu Shrine" 1835-1845
• "53 Stations of the Tokaido Road" 1847

Kuniyoshi's warrior paintings depict valiant and courageous action. His series of paintings featuring warlords of the Sengoku period are characterized by powerful compositions and vivid battle scenes. He also has many excellent works featuring cats and other animals.

Known for his original ideas and compositions, his creativity shines in his bold composition and unusual perspectives. He was highly praised by his contemporaries in the ukiyo-e world, and his style, which combined action with detailed depiction, was groundbreaking. He has also had a major influence on later ukiyo-e, woodblock prints, and manga.