1753? – October 31, 1806
喜多川歌麿 Kitagawa Utamaro
Childhood name: Ichitaro → Yusuke
Defying the Shogunate to Capture Sensual Beauty
There are four major Ukiyo-e artists: Sharaku for kabuki actor portraits, Hiroshige for landscapes, Hokusai for the world, and Utamaro for paintings of beautiful women.
Kitagawa Utamaro is considered to be the most famous Ukiyo-e artist, known for his paintings of beautiful women. However, his artistic activities were also a struggle against the prohibitions of the shogunate. The following is an introduction to his tumultuous life.