Utagawa School: Toyokuni I,II,III - 200+ Japanese Ukiyo-e Reproductions - Annotated Series

UTAGAWA SCHOOL Art Book contains 200+ Reproductions of landscapes and seascapes, courtesans, geisha's, kabuki actors, warriors and sumo wrestlers with translated annotations and biography.

Utagawa Toyokuni (1769, Edo - February 24, 1825, Edo) referred to as Toyokuni I, was a great master of ukiyo-e. He was particularly known for his Kabuki actor prints. Toyokuni was one of the heads of the renowned Utagawa school of Japanese woodblock artists. He elevated the position of woodblock artists to great fame and power, that would continue through the nineteenth century.
He was born in Edo, the son of Kurohashi Gorobei, a carver of dolls and puppets, which included replicas of Kabuki actors. In recognition of his artistic ability, Toyokuni took the name Utagawa Toyokuni, in the common practice of using one syllable of his master's name.
By studying other styles of those before him, he was able to master techniques and develop a style of his own. His actor prints were popular because they revealed what actually took place on stage.

Toyokuni II (1777-1835) aka, Utagawa Toyoshige, was a designer of Japanese woodblock prints in Edo. He was the pupil, son-in-law and adopted son of Toyokuni I. He used the name Toyoshige until 1926, the year after his teacher's death, when he began signing his work Toyokuni. Kunisada, another student of Toyokuni I, did not recognize Toyoshige's claim and declared himself "Toyokuni" and leader of the school. Toyoshige resumed signing his work "Toyoshige."

Toyokuni III (1786 - January 12, 1865) aka, Utagawa Kunisada. The most popular, prolific and financially successful designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in the 19th century Japan. His reputation far exceeded his contemporaries, Hokusai, Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi.