83 - Hokusai: E-goyomi

Hokusai: E-goyomi

Hokusai, one of the greatest ukiyo-e masters, made this e-goyomi in January 1792.

The printing of calendars was a government monopoly in Japan. By that forbidden to create calendars, the ukiyo-e artists developed the subgenre of e-goyomi. Literally it means "calendar print" - but, not to violate the monopoly, they had to conceal the calendar in the picture in some clever way.

82 - Kunisada II: Actor Bandô Mitsuemon as Akaiwa Gajirô

Kunisada II: Actor Bandô Mitsuemon as Akaiwa Gajirô

Here we have Bandô Mitsuemon as Akaiwa Gajirô, from the series The Book of the Eight Dog Heroes [Hakkenden inu no sôshi no uchi] from 1852. The creator is Utagawa Kunisada II (1823-1880), who was one of Vincent Van Gogh's favourite artists.

81 - Shigemasa: Servant Applying Medicinal Substance to Geisha's Arm

Shigemasa: Servant Applying Medicinal Substance to Geisha's Arm

Kitao Shigemasa (1739?-1820) was not only a printmaker, he also created poetry and was a skilled calligrapher.

This is a beautiful print, Servant Applying Medicinal Substance to Geisha's Arm.

80 - Kuniyoshi: Mongaku Shônin

Kuniyoshi: Mongaku Shônin

The title of this print by Kuniyoshi is not entirely right. Strictly, it should be: Not a very lucky day [Sembû - 先負], from the series Kuniyoshi’s Analogies for the Six Conditions of Nature. However, it is sometimes called just Mongaku Shônin. It shows Mongaku Shônin doing penance sitting 37 days under the freezing Nachi waterfall. Printed 1860, although the design might be from 1835.

The small picture shows Seitaka and Kongara, Fudo Myo-o’s two attendants.

The series, Kuniyoshi's Analogies for the Six Conditions of Nature, [Rokuyôsei Kuniyoshi jiman], pairs real and mythical persons with specific days in Japanese astrology.

79 - Hokkei: The Sumida River in Musashi Province

Hokkei: The Sumida River in Musashi Province

Totoya Hokkei (1780-1850) created this print, The Sumida River in Musashi Province. A fine design by a grossly underrated artist.

Sumida River flows through Tokyo. The river and its many bridges are popular motives in ukiyo-e.