Kunichika (1835 - 1900 )
Kunichika Toyohara was born Yasohachi Arakawa, the son of a public bathhouse proprietor in the artisan section of Edo. As a young man, he studied with the ukiyo-e artist Chikanobu, from whom he received his artist name. He then apprenticed under Kunisada and began to produce actor prints in the Utagawa style, though he never used the Utagawa name. Kunichika married and had one daughter, though his marriage ended due to his questionable personal conduct.
Known for his actor okubi-e (big-head portraits), Kunichika's prints captured a traditional genre with the bold new colors of aniline dyes. He made great use of the deep, scarlet red to dramatic effect. In addition, he produced some historical prints and journalistic illustrations. Passionate about kabuki theater, Kunichika regularly spent time backstage, sketching the actors and watching the plays. This wealth of personal experience in the theater lends an intimacy to his impeccable yakusha-e (actor prints). Before the Meiji Restoration of 1868, Kunichika was chosen by the Japanese government to present his work at the 1867 World Exhibition in Paris.
21 Products
Kunichika
Ichikawa Danjuro as Kumagai Naozane and Onoe Kikugoro as Taira no Atsumori at the Ichinotani Battle
JP1-21196
Kunichika
Ushiwaka-maru and Benkei on the Gojo Bridge
JP110819
Kunichika
Raiko and the Earth Spider, Kabuki Actor Onoe Kikugoro as the Earth Spider
JP110433
Kunichika
Kabuki Actors Onoe Kikugoro, Kataoka Gado and Bando Kakyo
JP1-51184
Kunichika
Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjuro as Okubo Hikozaemon on His Way to the Castle
JP-110650
Kunichika
Kabuki Actor Nakamura Fukusuke as Nichiren Shonin and Nakamura Kakuzo as Tojo Saemon
JPR1-62160
Kunichika
Kabuki Actors Kataoka Gado, Nakamura Fukusuke and Ichikawa Danjuro
JP-110644
Kunichika
Ichikawa Kodanji; Evening Glow at the Eitaibashi
JP6359
Kunichika
Comparison of Nudes to Irises at the Public Bath
JPR1-72088