Utagawa Kunisada Ii

1823 - 1880

Quick Facts

  • Color intensity: balanced
  • Creative periods: mature period
  • Movements: ukiyo-e
  • Museums on APS:
    • Art Gallery of New South Wales
    • Hammer Museum
    • The Art Museum RIGA BOURSE
    • Te Papa
    • Keio University Library
  • Art period: 19th Century
  • Emotional tone: calm
  • Mediums: woodblock print
  • Nationality: Japan

**early life and training**

utagawa kunisada ii, also known as toyokuni iv, was a renowned japanese ukiyo-e print designer born in edo, japan in 1823. he was a pupil of utagawa kunisada i and signed much of his early work under the name kunimasa iii. around 1850-51, he adopted the name kunisada ii, marking his inheritance of the utagawa school.

**artistic style and notable works**

kunisada ii's prints include over 40 series, mostly featuring actors (yakusha-e), as well as portraits of beauties, illustrations of scenes from literature, erotica, and other subjects. one of his most celebrated works is the tale of the eight dog heroes (hakkendun inu no sōshi no uchi), dating from 1852, drawn from kyokutei bakin's epic novel, the satomi clan and the eight dogs (nansō satomi hakkenden).

**legacy and later life**

kunisada ii headed the utagawa school and worked in the style of his master, but never achieved the same level of success. his popularity waned in the meiji period (1868–1912), and he appears to have stopped making prints after 1874. he died on july 20, 1880, and was buried at banshōin kōunji. his buddhist posthumous name is sankōin hōkokujutei shinji.

**notable mentions in WahooArt.com**

**key points in kunisada ii's life**

**further reading on WahooArt.com**

Questions & Answers

Where can I see Utagawa Kunisada Ii's artworks in chronological order?

A timeline of Utagawa Kunisada Ii's works exists: the artist's Artwork Timeline page orders the artworks by creation date.

How do I find works by Utagawa Kunisada Ii on a specific theme?

Utagawa Kunisada Ii's works can be explored by keyword on the artist's By Keywords page. Each keyword groups the related artworks.

Where can I see all artworks by Utagawa Kunisada Ii?

Every work by Utagawa Kunisada Ii on this website can be browsed from the artist's All Artworks page.

Art Quiz

There is only one correct answer for each question.

Question 1:
Utagawa Kunisada II (also known as Toyokuni IV) was born in which city?
Question 2:
In what year did Utagawa Kunisada II adopt the name Kunisada II?
Question 3:
Which of the following series is Utagawa Kunisada II most known for?
Question 4:
During which period did Utagawa Kunisada II’s popularity begin to wane?
Question 5:
What was Utagawa Kunisada II's posthumous name?