Utagawa Toyokuni
1769–1825 · Japanese · 10 artworks
Ukiyo-eKeyblock printingColor layeringEmphasis on lineDepiction of Kabuki actorsBrocade printing (nishiki-e)
artist bio
Utagawa Toyokuni (1769-1825) was a prominent Japanese ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period, known for his depictions of kabuki actors and beautiful women (bijin-ga). He headed the Utagawa school, influencing generations of printmakers and shaping the visual culture of his time.
what you'll learn
Studying Toyokuni's work allows students to understand the techniques of Japanese woodblock printing and the cultural significance of kabuki theater and fashionable beauty standards in Edo-period Japan. Students can also learn about line work, color composition, and narrative storytelling within a single print.
related: Kitagawa Utamaro, Katsushika Hokusai
10 artworks
Courting Komachi
1792
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Three Beauties: Snow
1810
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Fishing net
1800
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Seki Sanjuro
1810
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Ishikawa Goemon pulling a painting of himself out of a lidded jar
1815
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Three Beauties Playing Battledore and Shuttlecock
1800
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The Promenade
1810
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Actor Onoe Eizaburo I as a Magician with a Giant Toad
1809
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Nakamura Utaemon
1810
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The Heian Courtier
1798
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