The Ukiyo-e shortlist
Famous Ukiyo-e Художники — Top 39 List
Кацушіка Хокусай (1760–1849) is the most famous Ukiyo-e художник, best known for Вели хвилі Канагава та Фудзи, Гори в ясний день (Червоний Фудзи). Then Утаґава Хірошіґе, Кітаґава Утамаро, Цукіока Йосітосі та Торії Кійонага. The list covers 39 художники born between 1618 and 1880 in 2 countries, from Хісікава Моронобу to Goyō Hashiguchi.
Method. Scope: artists filed under Ukiyo-e in our catalogue. Order: our artist fame ranking. Excluded: artists born after 1955 without a Wikidata identifier. Wikipedia figure: languages with an article, out of our 32.
Key data
Ukiyo-e: key data
- 39Художники
- 1618–1880Роки народження
- 2Країни народження
- 0Жінки
- 1Сучасні художники
- 5 896Роботи в нашому каталозі
- Музеї, у яких зберігається найбільше ключових творів
- Bujalance Collection (11), Бібліотека Університету Кейо (10), Метрополітен-музей (9), Minneapolis Institute of Art (5)
Ranked list
39 Ukiyo-e Художники, ranked with key works
2/ 39
Утаґава Хірошіґе 1797–1858
Японський b. Едо *Ukiyo-e* Wikipedia 30/32
His life unfolded during a period of relative peace and prosperity under the Tokugawa shogunate, yet also one marked by increasing social change and eventual westernization – forces that would ultimately contribute to the decline of ukiyo-e even as they amplified Hiroshige’s enduring legacy. The Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō: Hiroshige’s most famous series, depicting the journey along the main road between Edo and Kyoto.
4/ 39
Цукіока Йосітосі 1839–1892
Японець b. Едо Укійо-е Wikipedia 15/32
Musha Burui. Сто аспектів місяця. Нові подоби тридцяти шести духів.
6/ 39
Утаґава Кунійосі 1798–1861
Японський b. Токіо Укійо-е Wikipedia 24/32
Trained by Utagawa Toyokuni I #13 · Trained Utagawa Yoshitora #32, Kawanabe Kyōsai #11
7/ 39
Харунобу Судзукі 1724–1770
Японець b. Едо Укійо-е Wikipedia 21/32
Osen (Музей тютюну та солі, Суміда). 輿入 (Музей мистецтв префектури Нара).
9/ 39
Утаґава Кунісада 1786–1865
Японський b. Едо Укійо-е Wikipedia 17/32
Trained by Utagawa Toyokuni I #13
11/ 39
Kawanabe Kyōsai 1831–1889
Japanese b. Koga Ukiyo-e, Caricature, Manga pioneer Wikipedia 10/32
Kawanabe Kyōsai entered the world in 1831 in Koga, born into a samurai family. This early shock preceded a formal education under the masters of the Kanō school and Utagawa Kuniyoshi. He moved to Edo, where his father joined the official firefighters of the Shogunate, and there, Kyōsai began to develop a persona that would define his career.
12/ 39
Keisai Eisen 1790–1848
Japanese b. Edo Bunsei Era Ukiyo-e Wikipedia 15/32
In the vibrant, flickering light of 19th-century Edo, few artists captured the pulse of the "floating world" with as much evocative intensity as Keisai Eisen. This shift defined the aesthetic of the Bunsei era (1818–1830), a period often characterized by its decadent and psychologically complex atmosphere. In works such as his depictions of Fukaya Station or Ageo Station, he transformed mere topographical records into cinematic snapshots of life in motion.
13/ 39
Utagawa Toyokuni I 1769–1825
Japanese b. Shiba Ukiyo-e Wikipedia 13/32
Unlike some artists blessed with immediate, innate talent, Toyokuni appears to have been a dedicated student, meticulously absorbing the techniques and aesthetics of those who preceded him.
Trained Utagawa Toyokuni II #35
14/ 39
Хірошіге I (Утагава) Та Цуруя Кіемон 1797–1858
Japanese b. Tokyo Ukiyo-e
«Канадеон Чусінгура, акт 1» — дивовижний приклад жанру укійо-е, створений у 1855 році.
15/ 39
Утагава Кунімаса 1773–1810
Японський b. Аizu Утагава школа
His apprenticeship under Toyokuni wasn’t merely about technical skill; it instilled in him an understanding of the broader aesthetic goals of ukiyo-e—to capture fleeting moments of beauty and emotion with unparalleled precision. The Shintomiza Joruri, Constitution Festival Picture is another remarkable achievement, demonstrating Kunimasa’s talent for capturing complex narratives within a single image.
16/ 39
Nishikawa Sukenobu 1671–1750
Japanese b. Kyoto Ukiyo-e Wikipedia 9/32
Beyond his celebrated prints, Sukenobu produced an impressive array of paintings encompassing kimono patterns, samurai portraits, illustrations of classical literature, and landscapes.
17/ 39
Sharaku
Japan ukiyo-e Wikipedia 19/32
His portraits are noted for their ability to capture the psychology of a character through heightened theatrical gestures and expressive, almost caricature-like exaggerations.
18/ 39
Utashige
Japanese Ukiyo-e
This quiet revolution – a departure from the more flamboyant styles of his predecessors – established Hiroshige as a uniquely sensitive and poetic artist, whose work continues to inspire awe and contemplation centuries later.
19/ 39
Miyagawa Chōshun 1683–1753
Japanese b. Miyagawa Ukiyo-e Wikipedia 9/32
His subjects—often the elegant courtesans of the pleasure districts—were depicted with a fuller, more voluptuous grace than the slender, stylized figures seen in the works of later artists like Harunobu.
20/ 39
Goyō Hashiguchi 1880–1921
Dutch b. Kagoshima Post-Impressionism
In 1907 he won recognition for an ukiyo-e oil painting in the first Bunten show, but felt unfulfilled by public acceptance and returned to woodblock printing.
21/ 39
Isoda Koryūsai 1735–1790
Japanese b. Tokyo Ukiyo-e Wikipedia 10/32
In the vibrant, bustling heart of the Edo period, a golden age of Japanese creativity, few names resonate with as much elegance and prolific energy as Isoda Koryūsai. Born in 1735 in the burgeoning metropolis of Tokyo—then known as Edo—Koryūsai was a man shaped by the dualities of his era.
22/ 39
Ogata Gekko 1859–1920
Japanese b. Tokyo Ukiyo-e, Nihonga Wikipedia 9/32
His most celebrated series, “One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji” (1896-1905), exemplifies his mastery.
23/ 39
Кобаясі Кійотіка 1847–1915
Японець b. Токіо Укійо-е, Косен-га Wikipedia 10/32
Trained by Kawanabe Kyōsai #11
24/ 39
Adachi Ginko народився 1853
Japanese Ukiyo-e
In the vibrant, transformative era of the late Meiji period, few artists captured the shifting soul of Japan as vividly as Adachi Ginkō. Born in 1853, a time when the traditional structures of the Edo period were beginning to yield to the rapid modernization of the West, Ginkō emerged as a master of the Ukiyo-e tradition.
25/ 39
Toyohara Chikanobu 1838–1912
Japanese Shin-hanga
In the twilight of the Edo period and the dawn of a modernizing Japan, few artists captured the profound tension between tradition and transformation as masterfully as Toyohara Chikanobu.
26/ 39
Утаґава Тойхіро 1773–1828
Japanese b. Toyooka Ukiyo-e Wikipedia 8/32
In the vibrant tapestry of the Edo period, few names resonate with the quiet elegance and technical mastery of Utagawa Toyohiro. Born as Okajima Tōjiro in Toyooka, Japan, this distinguished artist emerged as a pivotal figure within the renowned Utagawa school.
27/ 39
Mizuno Toshikata 1866–1908
Japanese b. Tokyo Ukiyo-e, Kuchi-e
Unlike the often-dramatic compositions favored by Yoshitoshi, Toshikata's works are imbued with an understated elegance and a profound sense of sentimentality. Several notable works by Mizuno Toshikata can be found in prestigious collections, including those at the Keio University Library and the Meiji Jingu Forest Festival of Art.
28/ 39
Ishikawa Toyonobu 1711–1785
Japanese b. Tokyo Ukiyo-e (Lacquer Print Art) Wikipedia 7/32
Among them stands Nishimura Shigenobu, also known as Ishikawa Toyonobu (1711–1785), a figure whose work embodies both the elegance and subtle sensuality characteristic of early ukiyo-e. He is often considered to have been the same person as Nishimura Shigenobu, a contemporary artist and student of Nishimura Shigenaga. Toyonobu’s artistic education began under the tutelage of Nishimura Shigenaga, a pupil of the renowned Okumura Masanobu.
29/ 39
Kogyo Sakamaki 1869–1927
Japanese Noh Theatre Prints
His prints continue to be studied by scholars and admired by collectors alike, serving as invaluable documents of Noh theatre’s cultural history and embodying the artistic ideals of the Meiji era—a testament to Sakamaki’s enduring legacy as a master of ukiyo-e and a poet of Japanese tradition.
30/ 39
Hokkei 1780–1850
b. Tokyo Wikipedia 8/32
The Tale of Genji, considered one of the greatest works of Japanese literature, depicts the complex lives and romantic entanglements within the Heian court.
31/ 39
Sadatora
Japanese b. Tokyo Ukiyo-e
Born around 1825 in the bustling metropolis of Tokyo, Sadatora was more than just a practitioner of woodblock printing; he was a poet of the atmospheric and the transient.
32/ 39
Utagawa Yoshitora
His artistic journey unfolded under several names – Ichimōsai Yoshitora, Kinchōrō Yoshitora, and Mosai Yoshitora – a practice not uncommon among ukiyo-e artists who adopted different art names throughout their careers to mark stylistic shifts or periods of production.
34/ 39
Утаґава Кунісада II 1823–1880
Японська b. Токіо Укійо-е (якуша-е) Wikipedia 6/32
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35/ 39
Utagawa Toyokuni II 1777–1835
Japanese Ukiyo-e Wikipedia 4/32
Hiroshige's fame rests largely upon his monumental Tokaido series (1830–1832), a meticulously planned depiction of the 67 stations along Japan’s ancient pilgrimage route from Edo to Kyoto.
Trained by Utagawa Toyokuni I #13
36/ 39
Utagawa Yoshitaki 1841–1899
Japanese b. Osaka Ukiyo-e Wikipedia 4/32
His skillful use of shading and perspective created an illusion of depth and movement, effectively capturing the theatricality of the Kabuki stage.
37/ 39
Utagawa Kunitsuna Ii, Ichiransai, Sadashige
Japanese Ukiyo-e
Pinpointing Kunitsuna’s artistic lineage proves challenging due to the limited documentation surrounding his early career.
38/ 39
Utagawa Yoshikazu
Japanese b. Edo Ukiyo-e, Yokohama-e Wikipedia 3/32
He demonstrated a particular mastery of capturing textures and materials, from the sheen of Western fabrics to the rough surfaces of Japanese buildings. Among Yoshikazu’s most celebrated works are prints like “ American Family Print ” (1861) and “ Modern Ups and Downs Contests: Yokohama Merchants Referee (between) Entertainers and Non-workers,” which vividly portray the social dynamics of Yokohama during this period.
39/ 39
Shunkōsai Hokushū
Japanese b. Osaka Kamigata-e Wikipedia 3/32
The Osaka Style Emerges: Unlike the Edo-period’s dominant trend of producing prints in Tokyo, Hokuchō remained firmly rooted in Osaka. Osaka’s Artistic Landscape: Hokuchō's artistic output reflects Osaka’s position as a center of theatrical culture during the early 19th century.
Best-known works
Famous Ukiyo-e paintings by artist
Chronology
Ukiyo-e chronology
- 1656
- 1785
- 1790
- 1809
- 1825
- 1825
- 1827
- 1831
- 1850
- 1855
- 1857
- 1867
- 1870
- 1888
Statistics
Counts by country, period and museum
| Japan | 21 |
|---|---|
| Японія | 15 |
| 17th століття | 3 |
|---|---|
| 18th століття | 17 |
| 19th століття | 12 |
| Bujalance Collection | 11 |
|---|---|
| Бібліотека Університету Кейо | 10 |
| Метрополітен-музей | 9 |
| Minneapolis Institute of Art | 5 |
| Індіанапольський музей мистецтв | 2 |
| Hill-Stead Museum | 2 |
| Бруклинский музей | 2 |
| Клівлендський музей мистецтва | 2 |
Index
Full list of 39 famous Ukiyo-e художники
- 1
Кацушіка ХокусайЯпонець · 1760–1849 - 2
Утаґава ХірошіґеЯпонський · 1797–1858 - 3
Кітаґава УтамароЯпонський · 1753–1806 - 4
Цукіока ЙосітосіЯпонець · 1839–1892 - 5
Торії КійонагаЯпонська · 1752–1815 - 6
Утаґава КунійосіЯпонський · 1798–1861 - 7
Харунобу СудзукіЯпонець · 1724–1770 - 8
Хісікава МоронобуЯпонець · 1618–1694 - 9
Утаґава КунісадаЯпонський · 1786–1865 - 10
Чобунсаї ЕйсіЯпонець · 1756–1829 - 11
Kawanabe KyōsaiJapanese · 1831–1889 - 12
Keisai EisenJapanese · 1790–1848 - 13
Utagawa Toyokuni IJapanese · 1769–1825 - 14
Хірошіге I (Утагава) Та Цуруя КіемонJapanese · 1797–1858 - 15
Утагава КунімасаЯпонський · 1773–1810 - 16
Nishikawa SukenobuJapanese · 1671–1750 - 17
SharakuJapan · - 18
UtashigeJapanese · - 19
Miyagawa ChōshunJapanese · 1683–1753 - 20
Goyō HashiguchiDutch · 1880–1921 - 21
Isoda KoryūsaiJapanese · 1735–1790 - 22
Ogata GekkoJapanese · 1859–1920 - 23
Кобаясі КійотікаЯпонець · 1847–1915 - 24
Adachi GinkoJapanese · народився 1853 - 25
Toyohara ChikanobuJapanese · 1838–1912 - 26
Утаґава ТойхіроJapanese · 1773–1828 - 27
Mizuno ToshikataJapanese · 1866–1908 - 28
Ishikawa ToyonobuJapanese · 1711–1785 - 29
Kogyo SakamakiJapanese · 1869–1927 - 30
Hokkei1780–1850 - 31
SadatoraJapanese · - 32
Utagawa Yoshitora - 33
Тойохара КунітікаЯпонська · 1835–1900 - 34
Утаґава Кунісада IIЯпонська · 1823–1880 - 35
Utagawa Toyokuni IIJapanese · 1777–1835 - 36
Utagawa YoshitakiJapanese · 1841–1899 - 37
Utagawa Kunitsuna Ii, Ichiransai, SadashigeJapanese · - 38
Utagawa YoshikazuJapanese · - 39
Shunkōsai HokushūJapanese ·
FAQ
Ukiyo-e: quick answers
Who was the greatest Ukiyo-e художник?
Кацушіка Хокусай (#1) comes first, ahead of Утаґава Хірошіґе (#2) and Кітаґава Утамаро (#3).
Which five Ukiyo-e художники should everyone know?
Кацушіка Хокусай (#1), Утаґава Хірошіґе (#2), Кітаґава Утамаро (#3), Цукіока Йосітосі (#4) та Торії Кійонага (#5).
In which period did Ukiyo-e art flourish?
Most художники in this list were born in the 18th століття (17 of 39), between 1618 and 1880 overall.
Which Ukiyo-e masters trained other famous художники?
Утаґава Кунійосі (#6) taught Utagawa Yoshitora (#32) та Kawanabe Kyōsai (#11); Utagawa Toyokuni I (#13) taught Utagawa Toyokuni II (#35).
Who are the most famous living Ukiyo-e художники?
The highest-ranked living художники in this list are Adachi Ginko (#24).
Who was the first Ukiyo-e художник?
The earliest-born художник in this list is Хісікава Моронобу (#8), born in 1618.
Where can I see Ukiyo-e art?
The museums holding the most key works of this list are Bujalance Collection (11), Бібліотека Університету Кейо (10) та Метрополітен-музей (9).
Which country produced the most Ukiyo-e художники?
Japan: 21 of the 39 художники in this list were born there, then Японія (15).
Which techniques define Ukiyo-e art?
“While he mastered the precise brushwork required by tradition, his spirit gravitated toward the more liberated styles of the popular schools.” — from our biography of Kawanabe Kyōsai (#11).
Which Ukiyo-e художники from Японія are the most famous?
The highest-ranked художники born in Японія are Кацушіка Хокусай (#1), Утаґава Хірошіґе (#2), Кітаґава Утамаро (#3), Цукіока Йосітосі (#4) та Торії Кійонага (#5).
Which city produced the most Ukiyo-e художники?
Едо: 7 of the художники in this list were born there.
Where can I buy Ukiyo-e art?
Our catalogue holds 5,896 works by these художники. Each one can be ordered as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print.
Guides
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