Denemek ALTIN - Özgür

EDO ARTISTS AND WRITERS

All About History UK

Issue 164

The Tokugawa Shogunate oversaw an era of great creative works that inspire to this day.

UTAGAWA HIROSHIGE 1797 - 1858

A renowned woodblock artist, Hiroshige was one of the Japanese printers whose work was exported to the West in the 19th century. He inherited the role of fire warden from his father at a young age, but in 1811 began studying under ukiyo-e master Utagawa Toyohiro. It was from this school that he developed his style for depicting beautiful landscapes. Over the years he created many studies of the people, plants and environments of his nation.

UTAGAWA KUNIYOSHI 1798 - 1861

One of the most dramatic and colourful print artists to emerge from this period, Kuniyoshi studied under Utagawa Toyokuni and is best known for his many pictures of famous Japanese warriors. Like many other ukiyo-e artists, he was also happy to depict so-called lower echelons of society such as actors and to portray popular ghosts. One of his most provocative works is Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre.

UTAGAWA KUNISADA 1786 - 1865

Kunisada was a student of Utagawa Toyokuni and had a rivalry with fellow graduate of that school Kuniyoshi. He was one of the most popular artists of his era and one of the most prolific, becoming particularly well known for his images of kabuki actors and of women. His bold use of colours and fine details, especially in fabrics, made his work both sensuous and striking.

Matsuo Basho 1644-94