Utagawa Yoshitsuya

Signatures of Utagawa Yoshitsuya, both reading “Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga” (一英斎　芳艶　画)

Utagawa Yoshitsuya (歌川 芳艶, February 22, 1822 – August 2, 1866), also known as Kōko Yoshitsuya (甲胡　芳艶) and as Ichieisai Yoshitsuya (一英斎　芳艶), was a designer of ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints.

Yoshitsuya was a student of Utagawa Kuniyoshi and, like his teacher, is best known for his woodblock prints of warriors. Yoshitsuya also produced many advertisements and designs for tattoos.

Yoshitsuya’s students include Utagawa Kazutoyo (active c. 1862-70), Utagawa Yoshitoyo II (active c. 1862-77) and Yoshitsuya II (active c. 1870s).

Gallery

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  Nii no Ama rescuing the young Emperor Antoku from a dragon

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  showing sumō wrestler Ryūōmaru opposing a dragon

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  Battle between Minamoto no Yorimitsu with his men and the robber chief Hakamadare no Mochisuke who is aided by a giant serpent. Tryptych.

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  Battle of magic between the bandit chief Hakamadare no Mochisuke who is transformed into a bird of prey and Kidomaru who is transformed into a giant serpent. Triptych.

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  Minamoto no Yorimitsu exorcising the evil spirit of Mount Ōyama. Triptych.

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  Princess Shiranui fighting the evil Sotoku-in. Triptych from the series Ten Heroes of the Tametomo

References

• Lane, Richard. (1978). Images from the Floating World, The Japanese Print. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 10-ISBN 0192114476/13-ISBN 9780192114471; OCLC 5246796
• Newland, Amy Reigle. (2005). Hotei Encyclopedia of Japanese Woodblock Prints. Amsterdam: Hotei. 10-ISBN 9074822657/13-ISBN 9789074822657; OCLC 61666175
• Roberts, Laurance P. (1976). A Dictionary of Japanese Artists. New York: Weatherhill. 10-ISBN 0834801132/13-ISBN 9780834801134; OCLC 2005932