Kogyo Tsukioka

Kogyo Tsukioka (1869-1927) was born under the name of Hanyu Sadanosuke in Tokyo. At 15 his mother married Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, the famous ukiyo-e printmaker and from his stepfather he received his new family name Tsukioka as well as lessons in printmaking.  Later Kygoyo became the student of another well-known print artist of the Meiji period, Ogata Gekko, receiving a new first name from his teacher - Kogyo.

For the most part, Kogyo Tsukioka made images depicting the Noh Theater although he did make a few prints of nature and designs illustrating the Russo-Japanese war.  It is his series of old traditional Japanese Noh theater prints published by Matsuki Heikichi that made him famous.

Sticking with the more refined nature of Noh theater, Tsukioka’s prints show an actor or a group of actors against a plain background.  In this way, just as in the actual viewing of the play, the visual attraction for the spectators are the lavish, colorful costumes and the poses of the actors.  A typical print by the artist looks almost as if it were an ink drawing, painting or watercolor which required great skill of the engravers and printers.

Suutai (Lyrical No Song), 1900

Series: Nogaku Zue (Pictures of No Performance); Several chanters in crested ceremonial dress are seated on the stage. Each participant sings a portion of a no song without the accompaniment of music or dance.

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