Kanke (Sugawara no Michizane), poet no. 24, from the series Hyakunin isshu esho (Pictures and commentaries on the One hundred poets, one poem each')., Utagawa Kunisada, artist, circa 1844, Tokyo, woodcut, Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) was the most popular and prolific designer of ukiyo-e in 19th century Japan. He is estimated to have produced between 20,000 and 25,000 designs for woodblock prints during his lifetime. His reputation was clinched when he was in his early twenties, it was as great as that of his teacher Toyokuni I, and lifelong. His status was largely unchallenged in his lifetime, though it was long unfairly neglected because of cyclical attitudes to Japanese prints. Frank Whitford recognised this early on: ‘Perhaps because of his huge output… Kunisada has not been treated well by the historians of ukiyo-e, although much of his work… reached the highest standards.’ His reputation was rescued considerably later than those of Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi, really only dating from the 1990s through the scholarship of Jan van Doesburg and Sebastian Izzard. Kunisada showed the versatility typical of print designers, while best known for his depictions of kabuki and his yakusha-e actor prints, he was also a specialist in bijin-ga (beautiful women), illustrations from The Tales of Genji and more luxurious surimono prints.
Keywords:
Kanke, Sugawara no Michizane, poet no, 24, series Hyakunin isshu esho, Pictures, commentaries, hundred poets, poem ', Utagawa Kunisada, artist, circa 1844, Tokyo, woodcut, Utagawa Kunisada, 1786-1865, popular, prolific designer, ukiyo-e, 19th century Japan, estimated, produced, 20, 000, 25, 000 designs, woodblock prints, lifetime, reputation, clinched, early twenties, great, teacher Toyokuni I, lifelong, status, largely unchallenged, lifetime, though, long unfairly neglected, cyclical attitudes, Japanese prints, Frank Whitford recognised, early, huge output… Kunisada, treated well, historians, ukiyo-e, although, work… reached, highest standards., reputation, rescued considerably later, Hiroshige, Kuniyoshi, really, dating, 1990s, scholarship, Jan van Doesburg, Sebastian Izzard, Kunisada showed, versatility typical, print designers, best, depictions, kabuki, yakusha-e actor prints, specialist, bijin-ga, beautiful women, illustrations, Tales, Genji, luxurious surimono prints
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