Utagawa Yoshitsuya (歌川芳艶) (artist 1822 – 1866)
Hōon (go - 芳艶)Ichieisai (go - 一英斎 or 一栄斎)
Kōko Mankichi (nickname - 早胡万吉)
Yoshitsuya (go - 芳艶)
Ichieisai Yoshitsuya (一英斎芳艶)
Links
The Lavenberg CollectionBiography:
Born with the family name of Kōko Mankichi, Yoshitsuya entered the studio of Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797-1861) around the age of fifteen. He is considered one of Kuniyoshi's more important students1 along with Utagawa Sadahide (1807-1873). He was famous for his designs of tattoos in the 1840s and 1850s, along with his prints of warriors and prints using legendary animals, such as the giant serpent pictured below, as caricatures of political events to avoid censorship.
Like other artists looking to supplement their income, Yoshitsuya also designed advertisements such as the one pictured below for medicinal toothpaste and medicine for clear vision.
Signatures of Utagawa Yoshitsuya, both reading 'Ichieisai Yoshitsuya ga' Yoshitsuya used the go Hōon, Kōko Yoshitsuya (甲胡 芳艶) and as Ichieisai Yoshitsuya (一英斎 芳艶) and as Ichoyōsai.
Yoshitsuya’s students include Utagawa Kazutoyo (active c. 1862-70), Utagawa Yoshitoyo II (active c. 1862-77), and Yoshitsuya II (active c. 1870s).