Kiyokata, Kaburagi, 1878-1973

Born in Tokyo. Son of Jono Saigiku, a noted journalist and theater critic. Studied with Tsukioka Yoshitoshi and Mizuno Toshikata. Founded Ugokai in 1901 for ukiyo-e and Japanese genre painters; society dissolved in 1912. Founded Kinreisha, an organization for Japanese-style painters, in 1917. Appointed member of Imperial Art Academy in 1929. Also exhibited paintings at Bunten and Teiten. Appointed to Art Committee of Imperial Household in 1938. Began his career about 1901 with illustrations for serialized novels in newspapers; established his reputation with illustrations for the Shun’yodo edition of the immensely popular novel Demon Gold (Konjiki yasha). His wife served as model for some of the scenes. Many illustrations printed by woodblock; single-sheet prints published by Sato Shotaro in 1909. Although very successful as an illustrator, Kiyokata focused on paintings of nostalgic genre scenes after 1910. Publishers, however, continued to make moku-hanga from his paintings. Influential teacher and mentor of many shin-hanga artists including Ito Shinsui and Kawase Hasui. Received Order of Cultural Merit in 1954.** Taken in whole, or in part, with permission from: Merritt, Helen and Nanako Yamada. Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints: 1900-1975. University of Hawaii Press: Honolulu. 1992.