Tattooed Man with Sword

Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) was one of the last great Ukiyo-e masters of Japan. He was apprenticed to Utagawa Kunisada and quickly became one of his most talented students, repeatedly ranked among the top ten ukiyo-e artists in Japan. His interest in Kabuki led to him become a master of theatrical prints and his bust portraits of actors are well known. His triptychs depicting scenes from kabuki plays are some of the most dramatic ever produced. Other subjects of his prints included bijin-ga beauties, historical scenes and the contemporary social life of the rapidly-modernizing Meiji period.