ARTIST DETAILS

1831～1889

Kawanabe Kyosai was a painter of the end of Edo to Meiji period. Born in Shimofusa (presetn Chiba prefecture), he is currently remembered as one of the first satirical artists of Japan. He studied under one of the final and remaining Ukiyo-e painter, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and Kano Tohaku. He explored many styles, from Tosa to Maruyama Shijo and Western schools of painting, and he famously called himself the "Demon of Painting". He painted freely, depicting various subjects from animals to yokai (demons), and Ukiyo-e to caricature.