Kuwagata Keisai
Kuwagata Keisai (1764-1824) was originally named Kitao Masayoshi. He was born in Edo of a samurai family and trained under the color-print master Kitao Shigemasa, illustrator of books. In 1794 he was appointed painter-in-attendance on the daimyo of Tsuyama. After three years, he was sent to study with Yosen-in Korenobu, leading painter of the Kano school. Here he was given the new name Kuwagata Keisai. At this time he was in charge of painting scrolls for Sadanobu. Later he became famous for teach-yourself art books. Keisai returned to printmaking when Sadanobu’s policies were no longer in practice, and print making was again seen as an acceptable art form.
Himeyuri (Red star lily) and Kogiku (Small chyrysanthemum), 1910s-1920s