Kunichika
1835-1900
Ukiyoe painter. Also referred to as Kachoro, Ichiosai, Hoshunro, and others as Betsugo. After having learned from Toyohara Chikanobu and worked on the drawing applied on the battledore, he became a pupil of Toyokuni -III-(Kunisada)">Kunisada I (= Toyokuni III). Produced many actor portraits to show his outstanding talent. In his latest years, he left many actor portraits with seven-tenths of the full length of the figure respecting the traditional format, also he invented a layout positioning an actor with upper-half of the body on a triptych screen. His creation features are an elaborate depiction in the subject’s facial expression and taking a form of battledore.
Kunichika Tsuchigumo Appearing in the House of Minamoto no Yorimitsu
