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Masters of Ukiyo-e: Japanese Woodblock Artists
Hiroshige Utagawa (歌川 広重, 1797-1858)
Born Tokutaro Ando, he is one of the most famous woodblock print artists of all time.
As a teenager, he studied under Toyohiro and was allowed to sign under the name Hiroshige.
In his 30s, he started creating prints of landscapes and saw his popularity grow immensely and quickly. The Eight Views of Omi, Ten Famous Places in the Eastern Capital, and Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido influenced art all across Japan and the world.
His print, The Plum Garden in Kameido, was later recreated by Vincent van Gogh as a painting.
Shotei Takahashi (高橋松亭, 1871-1945)
Born Hiroaki Takahashi in Tokyo, he grew up in the presence of artists and started working at the age of 16, copying ceremonial objects from overseas for the Imperial Household Department of Foreign Affairs.
Takahashi created the Japan Youth Painting Society when he was 18 and later worked to create woodblock prints for the export market. He's most famous for his prints inspired by international art movements, known as "Shin Hanga" (new woodblock prints).
Eisho Narazaki (楢崎栄昭, 1864-1936)
Born Tsuneo Narazaki, he created many strikingly beautiful prints in the "Shin Hanga" style, with his most famous works being created in the last few years of life.
He learned copperplate engraving from the Italian artist Eduardo Choissone while working for the Printing Bureau of the Ministry of Finance.
As common with artists of his time, many of his artworks were created for the export market.
Hiroshi Yoshida (吉田博, 1876-1950)
Born in Kurume, Fukuoka on September 19th, 1876, Hiroshi Yoshida studied Western-style painting and grew to become one of the most influential artists in the Shin-Hanga style.
In 1899, Yoshida entered the American art world with his exhibition, and spent much of the proceeding years exploring the world. It wasn't until 1920 that he started publishing woodblock prints.
He continued to explore the potential for incorporating international art styles and famously brought out a wide range of color combinations for the same designs in series like Sailing Boats.
Kunisada Utagawa (歌川国貞) / Toyokuni Utagawa III (三代歌川豊国) (1786-1865)
Known mainly by two names, Toyokuni Utawaga III and later Kunisada Utagawa, he began his studies under Toyokuni I around the year 1800 and made his first print around 1807.
He would later go on to produce over 14,500 prints, including polyptych sets, with the full range of individual sheets produced being estimated to be over 35,000.
His work was nothing less than prolific, but this led to many critics in the 20th Century to discount his work and addition to the genre, with broad acceptance of his artistry only forming in before the turn of the 21st Century.
Hokusai Katsushika (葛飾北斎, 1760-1849)
Most well known as Hokusai, he was born as Tokitaro in Edo (now Tokyo). He worked as a woodcarver from the age of 14 until 18, when he entered the studio of Shunso Katsukawa.
Here, he started publishing prints of kabuki actors. Studying a range of styles, such as copperplate printings from Europe and at a rival school, likely led to him being expelled. He took this as motivation to develop his own style.
Moving past depictions of kabuki actors and beautiful women, his focus moved towards landscapes, with him ending up creating some of the most memorable pieces of Japanese art ever made - The Great Wave Off Kanagawa and Fine Wind, Clear Morning (Red Fuji).
