A collection of the ukiyo-e artists that Japan boasts

These are seven representative ukiyo-e artists of the Edo Period who created ukiyo-e works of art that are highly valued even abroad.

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What is ukiyo-e?

Before the appearance of ukiyo-e, Japanese art called "Yamato-e" were mainstream paintings geared towards the Imperial Court, samurais and their families, shrines and temples, and the rest of the upper echelons of society.

However, after entering the Edo Period, commerce and industry developed rapidly. Those called "the masses," the lowest level of society, their culture bloomed like a flower in the heart of Edo. The customs and everyday scenery of those people became the mainstream in art. Those drawings came to be known as "ukiyo-e."

From the middle of the Edo Period, the technique of woodblock printing advanced rapidly and commoners were able to buy good quality woodblock prints cheaply.

The origin of ukiyo-e's large movement was the appearance of super popular ukiyo-e artists at the start of the Edo Period.

Hishikawa Moronobu

Hishikawa Moronobu [Public domain]/Wikimedia Commons

Masterpiece: Mikaeri Bijinzu ("Looking Back Beauty")

He was an ukiyo-e artist representative of the early days of the Edo Period. Around this time, hand-painted ukiyo-e were mainstream.

Kitagawa Utamaro

喜多川歌麿 [Public domain]/Wikimedia Commons

This is a star ukiyo-e artist that debuted in the beginning of the Edo Period's middle ages.
He established the painting technique called "Ookubi-e," where the faces are emphasized.

Utagawa Toyokuni I

He was an artist whose name was spread due to the maturity of his ookubi-e, which featured actors.

Katsushika Hokusai

Katsushika Hokusai [Public domain]/Wikimedia Commons

Masterpiece: Aka Fuji ("Red Fuji")

He's an ukiyo-e artist so famous his name is known around the world. The work done in his later years is especially full of masterpieces.

Utagawa Hiroshige

Utagawa Hiroshige (I) [Public domain]/Wikimedia Commons

He was known as a worthy rival of Hokusai. His paintings of scenic and historic places are especially superb.

Toushuusai Sharaku

Toshusai Sharaku[Public domain]/Wikimedia Commons

Masterpiece: Ootani Oniji no Edobei ("Ootani Oniji's Edo Soldier")

In the middle of the Edo Period, this genius ukiyo-e artist appeared like a comet. His real name, birth and death dates, birthplace, and other personal details have long been unknown.
According to the latest research, there's a prevailing theory that he was the Noh actor Saitou Juurobei (1763-1820).

Keisai Eisen

This famous ukiyo-e artist painted sensual, decadent, and voluptuous beauties. He's the ukiyo-e artist representative of the latter years of the Edo period.

The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.

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