Utagawa Kuniyoshi

Utagawa (歌川) family name, Kuniyoshi (国芳) first name, (1798-1861)

Utagawa Kuniyoshi was a popular Ukiyo-e illustrator known for his pictures of warriors. His oeuvre includes erotic prints and bondage images.

Kuniyoshi as depicted by student Ochiai Yoshiiku.

Activities

Artist

Alternate Name(s)

歌川国芳 (Japanese), 一勇斎国芳

Biography

1798: Born on January 1 in Edo.

1812: Becomes a student of Utagawa Toyokuni.

1827: The Water Margin and Warrior Pictures become popular.

Interesting point(s)

Student of Utagawa Toyokuni.

Teacher of Yoshitoshi Tsukioka and Ochiai Yoshiiku.

Seiu Ito commented that "There are probably few artists over the years who have researched assault as deeply as Kuniyoshi."

Selected Works

• Tokaido Yotsuya Kaidan (1835) Erotic illustrated story book with bondage.
• Yamanaya Urasato Series (1851)
• Miraculous Paintings by Ukiyo Matabei (1853)
• Famous Mirror of Loyal Retainers (1857)
• Giyu Hakkenden (series)

Image Gallery

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  From Yako no Tama (c.1839)

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  Yamanaya Urasato Series (1851)

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  Picture of Yorimitsu's return from Oeyama (1852)

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  From Famous Mirror of Loyal Retainers (1857)