De premier Kuga
c. 1821
Medium
nishikie, with metallic pigments
Dimensions
199; 203
About this artwork
kleurenhoutsnede; blinddruk; lijnblok in zwart met kleurblokken; metaalpigmenten
Art Historical Context
**De Premier Kuga** is a captivating nishikie woodblock print by Yashima Gaki, a master of the late Edo-period ukiyo-e tradition, created around 1821. Gakutei (1786?–1868), a poet and artist from Osaka, was renowned for his refined surimono—privately commissioned prints often exchanged as New Year's greetings among literati. This small-format work (203 × 199 mm) exemplifies the "brochade picture" style, where vibrant colors and luxurious embellishments mimic fine textiles, transporting viewers to Japan's vibrant floating world of theater, poetry, and elite culture. The print's technical brill...
About the Artist
Yashima Gakutei · 1786–1868
Yashima Gakutei (c. 1786–1868), born in Osaka as the illegitimate son of a Tokugawa shogunate samurai named Hirata, adopted the name from his mother's subsequent marriage into the Yashima clan. Little is documented about his early years beyond these familial ties, but he pursued artistic training under the esteemed ukiyo-e masters Totoya Hokkei and Katsushika Hokusai, absorbing their precision in ...