The Alcoholic Sensuality of Toyohara Kunichika
16 november 2018 
3 min. read

The Alcoholic Sensuality of Toyohara Kunichika

Toyohara Kunichika (1835-1900) was one of the dominant Japanese artists during the Meiji period (1868-1912) who still worked in the traditional manner in honor of his two mentors. He was a pupil of Ichiōsai Chikanobu (not to be confused with Kunichika’s own pupil Toyohara Chikanobu) first, who later recommended him to Utagawa Kunisada.

Alcohol

Like his last teacher, Kunichika was a prolific artist and since he was passionate about the theater and the kabuki drama, the kabuki actors were his primary subject. He often went backstage and altough he looked paltry, he was liked by the actors whom he portrayed so admiringly, who often lent him money so that he could pay for his large intake of alcohol.

Focused

His life revolved around drinking, designing and the theater as one of his contemporaries said of him. When he was sketching the actors, he did not let himself be distracted and was intensely focused on his work.

Revalued

Although he was seen as a minor artist representing the last of the ukiyo-e tradition for a long time, in the last two decades his art has been revalued.

Strong Reds

The shunga below are attributed to Kunichika and display his characteristic use of strong reds and dark purples…

toyohara kunichika

An ecstatic moment of a samurai and his lover.’ (c.1860)

Toyohara Kunichika

Two lovers making love on a mountain cliff.’

toyohara kunichika

A woman directs her lover’s member towards her private parts.’

toyohara kunichika

Couple on a pleasure boat watched by a servant.’

Toyohara Kunichika

Preparatory drawing for a shunga print by Kunichika (British Museum)

Click HERE for exciting content of Kunichika’s last mentor…!!!

About the author
Marijn is the founder of shungagallery.com. With more than 20 years of experience within the sensual and erotic art of shunga he is an authority in the genre. During this time he served many customers with complementing their art collection.
Darya
By

Darya

on 12 Mar 2020

Thank you for the post as usual! Special thanks for the sketch as it's very interesting to see the working process!

Marijn
By

Marijn

on 12 Mar 2020

Thanks Darya. Yes, these kind of sketches give a more personal feeling with the artist. Recently we obtained a scroll with multiple sketches. These will be added to a later post this year!

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