Yoshiume (1819 - 1879 )
Yoshiume Utagawa was an Osaka-based ukiyo-e artist best known for his chuban-format actor prints. He also produced genre prints, landscapes, and illustrated books. According to the British Museum, his earliest known work, a yaskusha-e (actor print), dates to 1841. Born in Osaka, Yoshiume traveled to Edo in c.1847 to study under Kuniyoshi Utagawa. Roughly a decade later, Yoshiume returned home to Osaka, where he went on to found his own school and mentor many students. Other go (artist names) include "Ichiosai" and "Yabairo."
Ukiyo-e | Japanese Woodblock Prints | Ronin Gallery
Explore the largest collection of 17th-19th century original Japanese woodblock prints in the United States at Ronin Gallery. Ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” captured the exciting urban popular culture of the Edo period (1603-1868), promoting its beauty, fashions and heroes. While the Buddhist term ukiyo originally emphasized the transitory nature of human life, during the 17th century the term gradually shifted its reference to the ephemeral world of pleasure and indulgence. From 17th century Buddhist woodcuts through 19th century Japanese ukiyo-e print masters, enter a vibrant world of enchanting landscapes and sublime nature studies by Hokusai and Hiroshige, dramatic kabuki actors by Sharaku and Toyokuni, fierce samurai by Kuniyoshi, and elegant beauties by Utamaro. With the ravages of time, war and fire, today few of these precious original Japanese woodblock prints survive outside of museums and important private collections.