Kawanabe Kyosai

Kawanabe Kyosai was a 19th-century Japanese painter known for his humorous and often satirical works. Born in Koga in 1831, Kyosai grew up during a time of political and social upheaval in Japan. He began his artistic training at the age of six under the direction of Utagawa Kuniyoshi, one of the most important masters of Ukiyo-e, the traditional Japanese woodblock art. Kyosai's talent became apparent early, and he quickly developed a distinctive style that combined traditional Japanese techniques with influences from Western art.

Over the course of his career, Kyosai became known for his versatile skills. He worked not only as a painter, but also as a caricaturist and illustrator, often addressing social injustices and the absurdities of human behavior. His works are characterized by an extraordinary attention to detail and a vivid depiction of everyday life. Despite his criticism of society and the government, which landed him in trouble with the authorities on several occasions, Kyosai remained a popular and celebrated artist until his death in 1889.

Interesting fact:

Kyosai was known for his eccentric personality and his love of sake. It is reported that he often created his best works while heavily drunk. On one occasion he was even taken to a police station for drunkenly painting a fish market. Despite, or perhaps because of, his drinking habits, Kyosai was an incredibly prolific artist, leaving behind an extensive body of work that is still admired today.

Significant Artworks & Images by Kawanabe Kyosai:

1. "Shoki the Demon Sourcer" (1864)
2. "Hell Jellyfish" (1870)
3. "The Battle of Sekigahara" (1871)
4. "Caricatures of the Meiji Period" (1872)
5. "The Great Serpent" (1873)
6. "Frog and Mouse" (1874)
7. "The Spirits of the Taira in the Sea" (1875)
8. "Cats in Different Occupations" (1880)
9. "The Gathering of the Twelve Signs of the Zodiac" (1881)
10. "Self-Portrait with Demon" (1889)