TOYOKUNI III

From the *Chūshingura* / *Akō Rōshi* (Story of the 47 Ronin) series: *Gishi Seichū Fukushū Ryaku Den* (Brief Account of the Loyal Retainers' Revenge) by Toyokuni III

TAKEBAYASHI SADASHICHI TAKASHIGE

Approx. 38 x 25 cm

Utagawa Toyokuni III: Utagawa Kunisada (1786–1865)

His original name was Utagawa Kunisada (the first).
He enjoyed a very long artistic career spanning the Bunka through Genji eras; after becoming a leading pupil of Toyokuni, he began using the name Kunisada.
His pseudonyms included Ichiosai, Gototei, Kochoro, Kinraisha, Kitabaido, Tomibosanjin, Tomiboan, Tojuen, Getsuharo, Kiou, Ukiyo Matahei, and Bukiyo Matahei.
Possessing an excellent sense of the spirit of the times, he achieved immense popularity through his actor portraits—which captured the realism of the theater—and his paintings of beautiful women, which illustrated the decadent atmosphere and refinement of the late Edo period.
The scale of his body of work reflects his popularity; on this basis, he began calling himself "Toyokuni II" in 1844.
Although he gained recognition among his students for this claim, another pupil, Toyoshige, had actually already inherited the title of Toyokuni II; consequently, he is now regarded as Toyokuni III.

UKIYO E (Japanese print)