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.

87 - Harunobu: Woman Visiting the Shrine in the Night

Harunobu: Woman Visiting the Shrine in the Night

Another bijinga from one of the greatest ukiyo-e masters, Suzuki Harunobu.

86 - Sadanobu II: Portrait of Saigō Takamori

Sadanobu II: Portrait of Saigō Takamori

In 1877, Sadanobu II made this portrait of Saigō Takamori.

Saigō Takamori, called the last true samurai, was the leader of the Satsuma Rebellion, which lasted between January and September in 1877.

Sadanobu II was active between 1867 and the 1880s.

85 - Shigenobu: Kachô-e

Yanagawa Shigenobu: Kachô-e, Title unknown

This beautiful kachô-e is created by Yanagawa Shigenobu (1787-1832), who was one of Hokusai's students, later adopted as his son.

84 - Eisen: Ono no Komachi – A Shy Girl

Eisen: A shy girl

 
Keisai Eisen (1790-1848) is especially known for his okubi-e. With him, the style is changing. Classical bijinga is over, and he enters new realms. The pictures become less ethereal.

This is an okubi-e, a print from about 1820: Ono no Komachi – A Shy Girl.

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.