Utamaro Kitagawa
Utamaro Kitagawa (喜多川 歌麿, 1753? – 31 October 1806)
Utamaro Kitagawa is one of the most famous Ukiyo-e artist, especially for bijin-ga (portraits of female beauties),
but it is little known about his life and career.
He was born either in Edo, Kyoto, or Osaka, or in a provincial town, probably in 1753.
His original own name was Ichitaro Kitagawa, his first business name was Toyoaki, and later changed to Utagawa.
While he was still a child, he became a pupil of the painter Toriyama Sekien who is belong to Kano group, he started to draw for picture books and Yakusha-e (picture of Kabuki actors).
After publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo recognized his talent, he grew up his talent to draw bijin-ga and he created original drawing style for female portrait called Ookubie which is close to face and describing detail expression of gesture and finger, it is expressing various deep psychology of the woman.
He drew a lot of charming and beautiful female pictures for down-town girl and hostess of night club,
and he became the best Ukiyo-e artist of bijin-ga.
In those days, Bakufu (the government of Edo period) forced economy on the common people for financial reduction, and Bakufu interfered with his drawing flashy work.
However he drew satirical pictures for Bakufu, he was thrown into jail for 50 days.
After the released, this imprisonment gave a bad influence on his life, he was dead two years later.
Love Brooding US$198 each
SIZE : W 25.5 / H 39.5 (cm)
This is very famous work in Ookubie. Utamaro is good at drawing Ookubie which is a style to draw female portrait in close-up with detail expression of gesture and finger. The beautiful skin of the woman is making use of the soft texture of Washi (Japanese traditional paper). And it will make you feel the attraction of woodblock print.
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An Array of Dancing Girls of the Present Day (Heron Maiden)
US$198 each
SIZE : W 24.0 / H 36.5 (cm)
This work is expressing a Geisha who is playing Hanagaka dancing. Hanagaka is a bamboo hat which is decorated by imitation flowers. Her costume is gorgeous with bright hue, especially transparent green area on Hanagaka is beautiful.
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Tomimoto Toyohina US$198 each
SIZE : W 26.5 / H 39.0 (cm)
This work is one in his series of 6 beautiful women in Edo. Her name is Toyohina who is one in the best 3 beautiful Geisha in this period. It is expressing a woman who has both wit and beauty.
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Geigi
SIZE : W 27.0 / H 39.0 (cm)
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Naniwaya Okita
SIZE : W 26.5 / H 39.5 (cm)
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Sharaku Toshusai
Sharaku Toshusai (東洲斎 写楽, 1794?–1795?)
He is a Ukiyo-e artist who is famous for portraits of kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers.
He appeared suddenly in the world of Ukiyo-e and he drew 140 several pieces of Ukiyo-e
during a slightly period of 10 months, and suddenly disappeared.
There are various opinions who Sharaku is and he is a person with many mysteries up to now.
Regardless of beauty and ugliness, he described actor's character too vivid, it was hard to accept for people at that time. That might be the reason why he disappeared in the short term, but his dynamic kabuki actor's pictures give a fresh impression to current people.
In 1910, German collector Julius Kurth introduced that Sharaku is one of the three major portrait painters with Rembrandt and Velázquez in his book "Sharaku".
Since then, his global evaluation has been increased.
The Actor Otani Oniji III as Edobei, a Manservant US$198 each
SIZE : W 26.5 / H 39.0 (cm)
Sharaku drew 140 several pieces of works during a slightly period of 10 months. In the short term, the first 28 pieces of Ookubie (portrait closed to face) which has background used black mica are most major works. This is work, he drew "Yakko Edobei" which was played on Kabui actor: Otani Oniji in May, 1794.
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Actor Ichikawa Ebizo as Takemura Sadanoshin US$198 each
SIZE : W 26.5 / H 39.5 (cm)
Sharaku drew 140 several pieces of works during a slightly period of 10 months. In the short term, the first 28 pieces of Ookubie (portrait closed to face) which has background used black mica are most major works. This is work, he drew "Takemura Sadanoshin" which was played on Kabui actor: Ichikawa Ebizo in May, 1794.
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Ichikawa Umezou as Yattukobei
SIZE : W 26.5 / H 39.0 (cm)
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Matsumoto Koushiro as Sakanaya Gorobei
SIZE : W 27.0 / H 38.5 (cm)
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Sakata Hangoro as Fujikawa Mizuemon
SIZE : W 25.5 / H 39.0 (cm)
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Sawamura Yodogorou as Kawatura Hougan and Bandou Seiji as Onisa Dobou
SIZE : W 25.0 / H 39.0 (cm)
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Kuniyoshi Utagawa
Kuniyoshi Utagawa (歌川 国芳, January 1, 1797 - April 14, 1861) He had talent for drawing since he was child, and he became a pupil of Toyohiro Utagawa at 15 years old same as Hiroshige. After 30 years old, a series of works about heroes of Suikoden (classical Chinese novel) became popular. He became famous for a picture of combat samurai while Hiroshige was famous for landscape of famous place. While he drew many picture of strong-muscled combat samurai, he drew his favorite cat, a lot of comical, lovely caricatures which personified a fish or a raccoon dog. His rebellious and satirical works were supported predominantly by people at that time. Many pupils gathered to him and made a biggest group of Ukiyo-e, it is chained to present Japanese artist. He is called "Unexpected amazing Eshi(artist)" by his unique style of drawing, and he is popular for wide generations, as he was reevaluated in late years.
The Ruined Palace at Soma US$528 each
*ATTENTION: This size is three pieces of one set
SIZE : W 75.0 / H 37.0 (cm)
On the left side, there is a standing lady whose name is Takiyasha Hime, she has lost her father (Tairano Masakado) as he lost for a fight with the Imperial Court. Takiyasha is a fairy trainer and the big skeleton is a one of fairy controlled by her. For revenge of the father's death, she planned a rebellion to the Imperial Court in a ruin castle (Soma no furudairi). At the center, there is a samurai whose name is Ooyaketaro Mitsukuni is fighting against the fairies to defend the Imperial Court. Kuniyoshi drew the battle very dynamic with big size composed by 3 pieces of one set. This unique skeleton design has been famous in japan, and it has been used for much art and pictures. Recently, it is used for YO-Kai Watch which is very popular TV animation in Japan.
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Musashi on the back of a whale
SIZE : W 77.5 / H 37.5 (cm)
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Bonbon
SIZE : W 18.5 / H 26.0(cm)
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One hundred Stories
SIZE : W 18.5 / H 26.0(cm)
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Tanmei Jiro Genshougo
SIZE : W 26.0 / H 38.5 (cm)
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Hogusome
SIZE : W 26.0 / H 38.0 (cm)
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Sakata Kaidoumaru
SIZE : W 26.0 / H 38.5 (cm)
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