Toyokuni II, (Toyoshige) (1777-1835) went by many names; after the death of his master and father-in-law Toyokuni Utagawa in 1826, he took on the name Toyokuni Utagawa. Using this name got him into some trouble with other colleagues, so in later years he went back to calling himself Toyoshige. He worked as a pottery dealer as well as a printer.
The Courtesan Hitomoto of Daimonjiya Brothel
and Her Kamuro(girl attendant), early 1820s
Series: Shinsei Nishikide Choko (Newly Made Porcelain Sake-cup with Brocade Patterns).
The Courtesan Tamagoto of Tamaya Brothel.
Series: Bijin Awase (Comparison of Beautiful Women), ca.1828
The series consists consists of ten designs and depicts famous courtesans juxtaposed with celebrated scenic
places in Edo. This print shows a framed picture of Asukayama hill. The
names of the courtesan Tamagoto of Tamaya and of her girl attendants, Kotono
and Shirabe are inscribed above.