Katsushika Ōi was the daughter of famed artist Katsushika Hokusai and Kotome, his second wife. Ōi first learned her craft as her father’s apprentice and later studied under another artist…

Tawaraya Sōtatsu was born around 1570 in Japan, possibly in Noto, to a prosperous family of merchants. He began his artistic career around 1600 in Kyoto, likely studying under the…

Japanese printmaker Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, also known as Taiso Yoshitoshi, was born on April 30th, 1839, in the Shimbashi district of Edo (modern-day Tokyo). Yoshitoshi is widely known as one of…

Utagawa Hiroshige, born Andō Hiroshige, was the master of woodblock design, known for his landscapes and ukiyo-e (pictures of the floating world) prints. He grew up in Edo, now known…

Yayoi Kusama is one of the most famous female contemporary artists whose prolific career has spanned more than 50 years. She was born in Japan, and after moving to New…

Isoda Koryūsai was born around 1735, likely near Tsuchiura, to an impoverished family of samurai associated with the Tsuchiya clan. When the head of the clan died, Isoda renounced his…

Kobayashi Kiyochika is considered the last great master of ukiyo-e printmaking. He was born September 10, 1847 in the Asakusa neighborhood of Edo (now Tokyo), Japan. His family worked in…

Unkoku Tohan was born around 1635 into the Unkoku school of painting. He was the youngest son of Unkoku Toeki, who took over the workshop of his father Tōgan, known…

Yasuo Kuniyoshi (1893-1953) was a Japanese painter and photographer of other art works. Born in Okayama, Japan, he immigrated to the United States alone at the age of 16, he…