About the artist
Chikashige Morikawa was a Meiji-period printmaker who specialized in actor prints. A student of Kunichika Toyohara, Chikashige’s style is close to that of his teacher. In addition to nishiki-e (full color prints), Chikashige produced illustrations for books, newspapers, and advertisements. Many Meiji-period woodblock print artists held similar side jobs. These avenues provided a steady income as the demand for ukiyo-e waned. Best known for his dynamic Kabuki stars, he also completed several designs of the Meiji Imperial Court, a popular subject of kaika-e, or “enlightenment pictures,” produced at the time.