Kitagawa Utamaro
1753-1806
- Description
- A disciple of Toriyama Sekien. His abilities were appreciated by the publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo and he also worked on kyoka (comic tanka) picture books. From around 1791, he gained popularity when he conceived the idea of incorporating okubi-e (large-head pictures) style into bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women). In 1804, printed books and ichimai-e (single sheet prints) came to be subject to punishment in relation to the "Ehon Taiheiki", Utamaro's nishiki-e (brocade pictures) were also targeted and he was jailed and placed in manacles for 50 days.
- Active period
- Anei 4(1775)-the year of death
- Other Name(s)
- Kitagawa Toyoaki
Artist:Portrait of Kitagawa Utamaro shozo by Hosoda Eishi
Source:Ukiyoeshi (9)
