Yoshitoshi
1839-1892
Ukiyoe painter. Also referred to as Gyokuro, Kaisai, Oso, and others as Betsugo. A pupil of Kuniyoshi , a fellow of Kawanabe Kyosai under the master in common. In the end of Bakufu, he attempted to get out of the Kuniyoshi ’s style in the warrior painting, actor painting, and beauty, instead produced many atrocity prints with cruel depictions reflecting the times’ trend, which brought him a nickname “Bloddy Yoshitoshi ”. In around 1878, he was largely affected by Kikuchi Yosai’s painting style, to which he added a western style in order to create his own, with which he produced many pieces taking the subject from historical incidents. In the following year, he began to produce the multi-color print newspaper, his creativity never dried out. He made a greatest success among the Ukiyoe painters of the times most of whom were fading away. He also instructed Toshikata as his mentor. His painting style has been handed down until today through Kaburaki Kiyokata and Ito Shinsui .
