91 - Tsukimaro: Kintarō Fighting with an Eagle

Tsukimaro: Kintarō Fighting with an Eagle

 
This is a surimono, Kintarō Fighting with an Eagle, by Kitagawa Tsukimaro.

You can read more about Kintarō here.

90 - Chikanobu: A group of bijin look out over a snow-covered garden

Chikanobu: A group of bijin look out over a snow-covered garden

A beautiful triptych by Toyohara Chikanobu, A group of bijin look out over a snow-covered garden, from 1893. It is a combination of bijinga and landscape.

89 - Sharaku: Nakamura Nakazo II as Prince Koretaka...

Sharaku: Nakamura Nakazo II as Prince Koretaka...

This is a typical example of the genius of Tōshūsai Sharaku: Nakamura Nakazo II as Prince Koretaka disguised as the Farmer Tsuchizo in the Play Intercalary Year Praise of a Famous Poem. In a sense, the portrait, which was created in 1795, has three layers. It shows an actor, playing a prince who plays a farmer. And all of them are visible in this face. This ability to catch many individuals in one is what makes Sharaku one of the greatest ukiyo-e masters.

88 - Kunitsuna: Sato Masakiyo Hunting the Magic Two-Tailed Tiger

Kunitsuna: Sato Masakiyo Hunting the Magic Two-Tailed Tiger

Not much is known about Utagawa Kunitsuna (1805-1868). Toyokuni was his teacher, but that is all I know. However, he was a good artist, as this triptych, Sato Masakiyo Hunting the Magic Two-Tailed Tiger, from 1860, clearly shows.

Sata Masakiyo's name in real life was Kato Kiyomasa. He was one of three generals who were sent by Hideyoshi to conquer Korea in 1592-1598, the so-called Imjin war. The campaign was brutal but ultimately unsuccessful. While being in Korea, however, Kiyomasa enjoyed a luxury Japan could not offer: tiger hunting.

The triptych can possibly have been created by Kunitsuna II (1829-1874). His style is so similar to Kunitsuna's that they are often confused with each other.