Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞)

Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) was an artist active during the period of 1603 to 1786, known primarily for his woodblock prints and illustrated book formats. His recorded output focuses heavily on theatrical themes, often depicting renowned Kabuki actors and dramatic roles.

Fifteen works representing Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) prints and books are preserved in major American institutions, establishing his credibility in Western collections. These holdings include fourteen individual prints and one illustrated book, featured in the collections of the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

The artist’s specific focus on theatrical portraiture is evident in pieces such as Actor Kataoka Nizaemon VIII as Hida no kami Masakiyo and the dual portrait Actors Kataoka Gado II as Florist (Hanaya) Tokubei (R) and Nakamura Daikichi III as Tokubei's Wife (Tsuma) Ofusa (L). Further demonstrating his range in popular narrative, his oeuvre includes Kabuki actors play the role of 47 Ronin (Seichū gishi den). His sole documented book in these collections is the illustrated volume Poems on Portraits of the Famous and the Infamous (Kyōka kijin gazō-shū) 狂歌奇人画像集.

Complementing his theatrical work are single-sheet prints like A Spring Night (Yayoi no yube). Due to the historical nature of the works, many of these Utagawa Kunisada (歌川国貞) prints are accessible today as high-quality prints, often falling under the public domain designation, allowing researchers and enthusiasts access to this historical material.