About the artist
Toshimasa Shunsai was a 19th century woodblock print artist. He is also known as Toshimasa Eda. Born in 1866, Toshimasa grew up very poor. Undeterred by his limited means, he served as Yoshitoshi’s personal rickshaw driver in exchange artistic training with the famous artist. With Yoshitoshi’s help, Kunitama Utagawa adopted the young artist. Toshimasa later studied under Naohiko Kuyama and used the name Sadahiko. He died in 1913. Throughout his career, Toshimasa worked in a variety of genres. Today he is best known for senso-e, or “war prints,” as well as kaika-e, or “enlightenment prints,” and sumo prints.