Yoshitoshi Utagawa (Tsukioka)

Tenpo 10th (1839) born, Meiji 25th (1892) died
At the age of 12th, Yoshitoshi entered to Kuniyoshi Utagawa as a disciple, drawing his first work at the age of 15th, and he was a master of precocity.
His Ukiyoe gained No.1 popularity in the Meiji Period, from his wide range style, such as historical paintings, Samurai paintings, genre paintings and beautiful woman paintings, and many genres.
Kafu Nagai said Yoshitoshi as an artist who makes a close correspondence with Kabuki's Danjuro Ichikawa.

Although he was also famous in miserable pictures, even a collaboration with his senior disciple, Yoshiiku Ochiai "Eimei-28-shu-ku" also draws blood, historical painting, etc. of the bold composition, similar to his master, Kuniyoshi Utagawa, are also highly valued .
It is said that his cruel painting has influenced the creative activities of contemporary writers such as Ryunosuke Akutagawa, Junichiro Tanizaki, Yuki Mishima, Ranpo Edogawa and others.

There were around 80 people including Toshikata Mizuno, and the influence was given to Kiyokata Kaburagi. He was also aware of Western painting days had been came, and let the disciples to learn Western painting.
Recently, it has been reevaluated as various kinds of style are known.