From the Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
KUNIYOSHI & KUNISADA

Bunkamura THE MUSEUM
19 March – 5 June 2016

 
Boston Museum of Fine Arts boasts one of the world’s best collection of Japanese art in terms of scale and quality. From the collection, the exhibition showcases selected masterpieces of Kuniyoshi Utagawa (1797-1861) and Kunisada Utagawa (1786-1864), two most popular ukiyo-e artists of the Edo Period. It offers a superb opportunity to meet their elaborate prints in vivid colours and, through them, to have a glimpse of life and pop culture of Edo, the then capital of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Kuniyoshi and Kunisada trained themselves under the same ukiyo-e master, Toyokuni Utagawa, who predominated in the world of ukiyo-e depicting Kabuki actors. Yet the two disciples’ styles are very contrasting:

Kuniyoshi gained his fame and popularity through ukiyo-e in bold composition, representing heroes and warriors of history and stories. He also depicted men sporting stylish attires, making dramatic poses. Kuniyoshi rendered innovative ideas and designs into ukiyo-e, which continues to inspire a number of artists today.

Kunisada acquired his fame by ukiyo-e depicting the beauties of Edo. These females appear in fashionable dresses, stylish hairdos and makeups of the time. The artist was also renowned for his works of kabuki actors, capturing their characteristics and facial expressions brilliantly. Calling himself Toyokuni II, Kunisada had a number of students and produced a large number of prints efficiently at his workshop.