Artists in Rivalry: Extraordinary Designs by Hokusai and Kuniyoshi

Hokusai and Kuniyoshi: two 19th century ukiyo-e artists from Edo whose names often appear alongside each other in textbooks, but who also shared a very real connection.

Hokusai, who became an independent artist after studying at the Katsukawa school that KATSUKAWA Shunshō began, branched out and absorbed various styles, eventually creating his own large artistic association known as the Katsushika School (Hokusai School). Meanwhile, Kuniyoshi was a second-generation student taught in the style of UTAGAWA Toyoharu, a contemporary rival of Hokusai’s teacher, Shunshō. Both Utagawa and Hiroshige, as members of this same school of artists, were some of Hokusai’s favorite competitors. However, according to stories from the time, Kuniyoshi approached Hokusai of his own accord out of respect for him as an elder artist but Hokusai, for his part, refused any sort of intimate association due to the former’s artistic lineage.

This exhibition of prints from Keio’s Seiichirō Takahashi Ukiyo-e Collection hopes to provide a space for visitors to once again be awed by the eccentricities and expressions that set Hokusai and Kuniyoshi apart from their peers and encapsulated their expertise as ukiyo-e masters. In addition, this exhibition will showcase unpublished works and never-before-seen sketches that highlight the dynamic brushwork from these two artists and their pupils.

With so many incredible pieces on display, we anticipate that visitors will find it hard to mask their excitement as they admire the works of these immensely skilled artists. We invite you to stop by, take your time, and enjoy the show!