Rival ukiyo-e masters Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) and Utagawa Kunisada (1786-1865) were the two most admired designers of figure prints in 19th-century Japan.
Famous for the realism of his portraits of Kabuki actors, the sensuality of his beautiful women and the luxurious settings he imagined for historical scenes, Kunisada was the popular favorite during his lifetime. Kuniyoshi is loved by connoisseurs and collectors today for his dynamic action scenes of warriors and monsters (which foreshadowed present-day manga and anime), his comic prints and even a few especially daring works that included forbidden political satire in disguise. With glorious full-color illustrations, this beautifully produced volume presents Kuniyoshi and Kunisada's artistic rivalry through a selection of outstanding works from the unparalleled Japanese art collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Sarah E. Thompson is Curator of Japanese Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
