Saturday 18 November 2017

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


Ukiyo-e. Chikanobu. Bijinga.
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.


Saturday 11 November 2017

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


Ukiyo-e. Yakusha-e. Sharaku.
Sharaku: Nakamura Nakazo II as Prince Koretaka...

This is a typical example of the genius of Tōshūsai SharakuNakamura 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.


Saturday 4 November 2017

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


Ukiyo-e. Utagawa Kunitsuna. Tiger. Sato Masakiyo. Triptych.
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.


Saturday 28 October 2017

87 - Harunobu: Woman Visiting the Shrine in the Night


Ukiyo-e. Bijinga. Harunobu.
Harunobu: Woman Visiting the Shrine in the Night

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


Saturday 21 October 2017

86 - Sadanobu II: Portrait of Saigō Takamori


Ukiyo-e. Sadanobu II. Portrait. 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.


Saturday 14 October 2017

85 - Shigenobu: Kachô-e


Ukiyo-e. Kacho-e. Yanagawa Shigenobu.
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.


Saturday 7 October 2017

84 - Eisen: Ono no Komachi – A Shy Girl


Ukiyo-e. Okubi-e. Eisen.
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.