Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (Owariya Yonejiro): 1839 - 1892

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi (1839 - June 9, 1892) (Japanese: 月岡 芳年; also named Taiso Yoshitoshi 大蘇 芳年) was the last great master - and one of the great innovative and creative geniuses - of the Japanese woodblock print, Ukiyo-e. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... 1839 (MDCCCXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... June 9 is the 160th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (161st in leap years), with 205 days remaining. ... 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Yuan Dynasty woodblock edition of a Chinese play For the use of the technique in art, see Woodcut on the technique, and Old master print for the history in Europe and woodblock printing in Japan. ... View of Mount Fuji from Numazu, part of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō series by Hiroshige, published 1850 Ukiyo-e ), pictures of the floating world, is a genre of Japanese woodblock prints (or woodcuts) and paintings produced between the 17th and the 20th centuries, featuring motifs of...

holding back the night

with its increasing brilliance

the summer moon

-- Yoshitoshi's death poem

100 Aspects of the Moon #7, "Inaba Mountain Moon" The young Toyotomi Hideyoshi leads a small group assaulting the castle on Inaba Mountain; 1885, 12th month

His career spanned two eras - the last years of the old feudal Japan, and the first years of the new modern Japan. Like many Japanese, while interested in the new things from the rest of the world, over time he became increasingly concerned with the loss of many outstanding things from the traditional Japan, among them the traditional woodblock print. General Akashi Gidayu preparing to commit seppuku after losing a battle for his master in 1582. ... Download high resolution version (686x987, 90 KB)Tsukioka Yoshitoshi; 100 Aspects of the Moon #7, Inaba Mountain Moon - The young Toyotomi Hideyoshi leads a small group assaulting the castle on Inaba Mountain; 1885, twelfth month The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain... Download high resolution version (686x987, 90 KB)Tsukioka Yoshitoshi; 100 Aspects of the Moon #7, Inaba Mountain Moon - The young Toyotomi Hideyoshi leads a small group assaulting the castle on Inaba Mountain; 1885, twelfth month The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain... Toyotomi Hideyoshi (Shinjitai (modern Japanese) writing: ; Kyūjitai (historical) writing: 豐臣秀吉; born Hiyoshi-maru ; coming of age (Genpuku) as Kinoshita Tōkichirō and later made Hashiba and martial nobility in the style of Hashiba Chikuzen no Kami Hideyoshi ;February 2, 1536 or March 26, 1537 – September 18, 1598), was a Sengoku...

By the end of his career, Yoshitoshi was in an almost single-handed struggle against time and technology. As he worked on in the old manner, Japan was adopting the mass reproduction methods of the West, like photography and lithography. Nonetheless, in a Japan that was turning away from its own past, he almost single-handedly managed to push the traditional Japanese woodblock print to a new level, before it effectively died with him. Photography [fәtɑgrәfi:],[foʊtɑgrәfi:] is the process of recording pictures by means of capturing light on a light-sensitive medium, such as a film or sensor. ... Lithography stone and mirror-image print of a map of Munich. ...

Biography

He was born in old Edo, in 1839. His father was a rich merchant who had bought his way into samurai status, but Yoshitoshi left home at the age of 3 to live with his uncle, a son-less pharmacist, who was very fond of his nephew. Edo (Japanese: , literally: bay-door, estuary, pronounced //), once also spelled Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ...

Yoshitoshi was originally named Owariya Yonejiro, and was given the name Yoshitoshi by his master Kuniyoshi, one of great masters of the Japanese woodblock print, to whom he was apprenticed at 11, in 1850. Although he was not seen as Kuniyoshi's successor in his lifetime, he is now recognized as the chief pupil of Kuniyoshi. Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese: 歌川国芳) (1798 - 1861) was one of the last great masters of the Japanese woodblock print. ... For the game, see: 1850 (board game) Year 1850 (MDCCCL) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Yoshitoshi's first print appeared in 1853, but nothing else appeared for quite some time, perhaps as a result of the illness of his master Kuniyoshi during his last years. Although his life was hard after Kuniyoshi's death in 1861, he did manage to produce some work, 44 prints of his being known from 1862. 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar) // January 1 - Benito Juárez captures Mexico City January 2 - Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

His early work is full of extremely graphic violence and death, perhaps mirroring the lawlessness and violence of the Japan around him, which was simultaneously going through the breakdown of the feudal system imposed by the Tokugawa shoguns, as well as the impact of the West. During this period his fame grew, and by 1869 he was regarded as one of the best woodblock artists in Japan. The Tokugawa shogunate or Tokugawa bakufu (徳川幕府) (also known as the Edo bakufu) was a feudal military dictatorship of Japan established in 1603 by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family until 1868. ... Minamoto no Yoritomo, the first shogun of the Kamakura shogunate Shōgun )   is supreme general of the samurai,a military rank and historical title in Japan. ... 1869 (MDCCCLXIX) is a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a common year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar. ...

Series: Mitate Tai Zukushi (A Collection of Desires - 1878)

Shortly thereafter, he ceased to receive commissions, perhaps because the public were tired of scenes of violence. By 1871, he became severely depressed, and his personal life became one of great turmoil, which was to continue sporadically until his death. He lived in appalling conditions with his devoted mistress, Okoto, who sold off her clothes and possessions to support him. At one point they were reduced to burning the floor-boards from the house for warmth. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 409 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (546 × 800 pixel, file size: 192 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) yoshitoshi Series: Mitate Tai Zukushi (A collection of desires) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 409 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (546 × 800 pixel, file size: 192 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) yoshitoshi Series: Mitate Tai Zukushi (A collection of desires) File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to... 1871 (MDCCCLXXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...

Series: Fusoku Sanjuniso (32 Aspects of Women - 1888)

His fortunes started to turn by 1873, when his mood improved, and he started to produce more prints. In recognition of his improved circumstances, at this point he changed his family name to Taiso (meaning "great resurrection"). Newspapers sprung up in the modernization drive, and Yoshitoshi was hired to produced prints for one. His financial condition was still precarious, though, and in 1876, his mistress Okoto, in a gesture of devotion which is typically Japanese, sold herself to a brothel to help him. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 412 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (470 × 684 pixel, file size: 147 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) yoshitoshi File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 412 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (470 × 684 pixel, file size: 147 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) yoshitoshi File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... 1873 (MDCCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

With the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, in which the old feudal order made one last attempt to stop the new Japan, newspaper circulation soared, and woodblock artists were in demand, with Yoshitoshi most of all. The prints he did gave him public recognition, and the money was a help, but it was not until 1882 that he was secure. Combatants Imperial Japanese Army Satsuma fief Commanders Ruler: Meiji Emperor CIC: Sumiyoshi Kawamura Saigō Takamori Strength 300,000 40,000 Casualties estimate ~60,000 dead soldiers about 30,000 dead The Satsuma Rebellion (Seinan Sensō 西南戦争, Southwestern War) was a revolt of the Satsuma clan samurai against the Imperial Japanese Army... 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1882 (MDCCCLXXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

In late 1877, he took up with a new mistress, the geisha Oraku; like Okotu, she sold her clothes and possessions to support him, and when they separated after a year, she too hired herself out to a brothel. 1877 (MDCCCLXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

100 Aspects of the Moon #25, "Gravemarker Moon"; 1886, 3rd month

By this point, the woodblock industry was in severe straits. All the great woodblock artists of the early part of the century, Hiroshige, Kunisada, and Kuniyoshi, had all died, and the wooblock print as an art form was dying in the confusion of modernizing Japan. Yoshitoshi insisted on high standards of production, and helped save it temporarily from degeneracy. Download high resolution version (662x954, 104 KB)Tsukioka Yoshitoshi; 100 Aspects of the Moon #7, Gravemarker Moon - The famous poetess Ono no Komachi meditates on the arrogance and heartlessness she displayed to her suitors as a young beauty; 1886, third month. ... Download high resolution version (662x954, 104 KB)Tsukioka Yoshitoshi; 100 Aspects of the Moon #7, Gravemarker Moon - The famous poetess Ono no Komachi meditates on the arrogance and heartlessness she displayed to her suitors as a young beauty; 1886, third month. ... Memorial portrait of Hiroshige by Kunisada. ... Utagawa Kunisada (1786 - 1865) (Japanese: 歌川国貞, known as Utagawa Tokokuni III 三代歌川豊国 later in his career) was known in his time as the most popular and successful ukiyo-e designer in Japan, ahead of Kuniyoshi and Hiroshige. ... Utagawa Kuniyoshi (Japanese: 歌川国芳) (1798 - 1861) was one of the last great masters of the Japanese woodblock print. ...

In 1880, he met another woman, a former Geisha with two children, Sakamaki Taiko. They were married in 1884, and while he continued to philander, her gentle and patient manner seems to have helped stabilize him. Year 1880 (MDCCCLXXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar). ... Year 1884 (MDCCCLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a leap year starting on Sunday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

His last years were among his most productive, with his great series One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (1885 - 1892), and New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts (1889 - 1892), as well as some masterful triptychs of kabuki theatre actors and scenes. 1885 (MDCCCLXXXV) is a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1889 (MDCCCLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... The Kabukiza in Ginza is one of Tokyos leading kabuki theaters. ...

During this period he also cooperated with his friend, the actor Danjuro, and others, in an attempt to save some of the traditional Japanese arts. The Ichikawa family crest (mon) Ichikawa Danjūrō (市川團十郎) is a stage name taken on by a series of Kabuki actors of the Ichikawa family. ...

In his last years, his mental problems started to recur. In early 1891 he invited friends to a gathering of artists that turned out to be a delusion. After more symptoms, he was admitted to a mental hospital. He eventually left, in May 1892, but did not return home, instead renting rooms. 1892 (MDCCCXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ...

He died there three weeks later, on June 9, 1892, from a cerebral hemorrhage. He was only 53 years old.

Retrospective observations

36 Ghosts #25, "Priest Raigo of Mii Temple"; 1891

Series: New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts - 1890 - "Fujiwara no Sanekata's Obsession with the Sparrows"

During his life he produced many series of prints, and a large number of triptychs, many of great merit. Two of his three best-known series, the One Hundred Aspects of the Moon and Thirty-Six Ghosts, contain numerous masterpieces. The third, Thirty-Two Aspects of Customs and Manners, was for many years the most highly regarded of his work, but does not now have that same status. Other less-common series also contain many fine prints, including Famous Generals of Japan, A Collection of Desires, New Selection of Eastern Brocade Pictures, and Lives of Modern People. Download high resolution version (666x985, 110 KB)Tsukioka Yoshitoshi; 36 Ghosts #25, Priest Raigo of Mii Temple - The spirit of the vengeful priest Raigo returns as a plague of rats and destroys the temple; 1891. ... Download high resolution version (666x985, 110 KB)Tsukioka Yoshitoshi; 36 Ghosts #25, Priest Raigo of Mii Temple - The spirit of the vengeful priest Raigo returns as a plague of rats and destroys the temple; 1891. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 407 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (433 × 638 pixel, file size: 175 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Yoshitoshi, Taiso, 1839-1892 - Series: Thirty-six Ghosts - Fujiwara no Sanekatas Obsession with the Sparrows File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 407 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (433 × 638 pixel, file size: 175 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Yoshitoshi, Taiso, 1839-1892 - Series: Thirty-six Ghosts - Fujiwara no Sanekatas Obsession with the Sparrows File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del...

While demand for his prints continued for a few years, eventually interest in him waned, both in Japan, and around the world. The canonical view in this period was that the generation of Hiroshige was really the last of the great woodblock artists, and more traditional collectors stopped even earlier, at the generation of Utamaro and Toyokuni.

However, starting in the 1970s, interest in him resumed, and reappraisal of his work has shown the quality, originality and genius of the best of it, and the degree to which he succeeded in keeping the best of the old Japanese woodblock print, while pushing the field forward by incorporating both new ideas from the West, as well as his own innovations. The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979. ...

His life is best summed up by John Stevenson:

Yoshitoshi's courage, vision and force of character gave ukiyo-e another generation of life, and illuminated it with one last burst of glory.

-- Yoshitoshi's One Hundred Aspects of the Moon, 1992

His reputation has only continued to grow, both in the West, and among younger Japanese, and he is now universally recognized as the greatest Japanese artist of his era.

Print series

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi print of Tomigorô

Here is a partial list of his print series, with dates: Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 398 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (600 × 904 pixel, file size: 170 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Tsukioka Yoshitoshi print of Tomigorô The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 398 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (600 × 904 pixel, file size: 170 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)Tsukioka Yoshitoshi print of Tomigorô The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in...

• One Hundred Ghost Stories of Japan and China (1865-1866)
• Biographies of Modern Men (1865-1866)
• Twenty-Eight Famous Murders with Verses (1866-1869)
• One Hundred Warriors (1868-1869)
• Biographies of Drunken Valiant Tigers (1874)
• Mirror of Beauties Past and Present (1876)
• Famous Generals of Japan (1876-1882)
• A Collection of Desires (1877)
• Eight Elements of Honor (1878)
• Twenty-Four Hours with the Courtesans of Shimbashi and Yanagibashi (1880)
• Warriors Trembling with Courage (1883-1886)
• Yoshitoshi Manga (1885-1887)
• One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (1885-1892)
• Personalities of Recent Times (1886-1888)
• Thirty-Two Aspects of Customs and Manners (1888)
• New Forms of Thirty-Six Ghosts (1889-1892)

Further reading

• Eric van den Ing, Robert Schaap, Beauty and Violence: Japanese Prints by Yoshitoshi 1839-1892 (Havilland, Eindhoven, 1992) is the standard work on him
• Shinichi Segi, Yoshitoshi: The Splendid Decadent (Kodansha, Tokyo, 1985) is an excellent, but rare, overview of him
• T. Liberthson, Divine Dementia: The Woodblock Prints of Yoshitoshi (Shogun Gallery, Washington, 1981) contains small illustrations of many of his lesser works
• John Stevenson, Yoshitoshi's One Hundred Aspects of the Moon (San Francisco Graphic Society, Redmond, 1992)
• John Stevenson, Yoshitoshi's Women: The Print Series 'Fuzoku Sanjuniso' (Avery Press, 1986)
• John Stevenson, Yoshitoshi's Thirty-Six Ghosts (Weatherill, New York, 1983)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Tsukioka Yoshitoshi

• Tsukioka Yoshitoshi - Contains images of many of his prints
• Tsukioka Yoshitoshi Online
• Yoshitoshi's violent themes
• 2 works