99 - Settei: Painting

Settei: Painting

This is a painting by Tsukioka Settei (1710-1786). Even if it is unsigned, there is no real doubt about the artist. As for dating, it must be from 1767-1773.

For the background, Settei used silver - although now strongly oxidised. It should resemble mirrors and it is likely that the woman was reflected there.

98 - Kōgyo: Dōjōji

Kōgyo: Dōjōji

Tsukioka Kōgyo (1869-1927) made this painting on silk. Among his teachers were as well Tsukioka Yoshitoshi as Ogata Gekkō. Yoshitoshi later adopted Kōgyo as his son.

Dojoji is a Noh play. Kōgyo occasionally made pictures with other motives, but most of his works are scenes from Noh theatre.

97 - Eishô: Front of Chojiya Pleasure House

Eishô: Front of Chojiya Pleasure House

Front of Chojiya Pleasure House is a triptych by Chôkôsai Eishô. It is from 1798.

96 - Yoshiyuki: Hido Hachiro holding a head

Yoshiyuki: Hido Hachiro holding a head

This shows Hido Hachiro holding a head, a print from about 1868 by Mori Yoshiyuki (1835-1879). The scene is from Mirror of Our Country’s Military Elegance [Honchô buyû kagami, 本朝武優鏡].

95 - Unknown Artist: Uki-e

Unknown Artist: Uki-e

In this picture, perspective is used to create a sense of depth. Such a picture is called an uki-e. The first Japanese artist to apply uki-e in nishiki-e, that is, using perspective in a full colour woodblock print, was Toyoharu, the founder of the Utagawa school. This picture, however, is a painting and the artist is unknown. It is probably from the end of the 18th century.

The motive is a puppet performance.

If you look carefully to the right, you'll see that there is something wrong with the perspective. The artist has made a mistake.

94 - Hokuba: Bijinga

Hokuba: Bijinga

This is a painting on silk, a kakemono, by Teisai Hokuba (1771-1844). A beautiful bijinga from the 1830s.

Hokuba was one of Hokusai's best students.

93 - Kyōsai: Drawing of a Travelling Couple

Kyōsai: Drawing of a Traveling Couple

Here we see a fine drawing by Kawanabe Kyōsai (1831-1889), A Travelling Couple. It is from about 1880 and shows what a versatile artist Kyōsai was.