Eishōsai Chōki (), also known as Momokawa Chōki, was a designer of
ukiyo-e
is a genre of Japanese art that flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries. Its artists produced woodblock printing, woodblock prints and Nikuhitsu-ga, paintings of such subjects as female beauties; kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers; scenes ...
style
Japanese woodblock prints who was active from about 1786 to 1808. He, along with
Utamaro
was a Japanese artist. He is one of the most highly regarded designers of ukiyo-e woodblock prints and paintings, and is best known for his ''Bijin-ga, bijin ōkubi-e'' "large-headed pictures of beautiful women" of the 1790s. He also produ ...
, was a pupil of
Toriyama Sekien
200px, A , specifically a Miage-nyūdō, as portrayed by Toriyama
, real name Sano Toyofusa, was a scholar, '' kyōka'' poet, and ''ukiyo-e'' artist of Japanese folklore.
Early life
Born to a family of high-ranking servants to the Tokugawa sh ...
(1712–1788). Chōki is best known for his pictures of beautiful slender women (''
bijin-ga
is a generic term for pictures of beautiful women () in Japanese art, especially in woodblock printing of the ukiyo-e genre.
Definition
defines as a picture that simply "emphasizes the beauty of women", and the ''Shincho Encyclopedia of W ...
''), often with atmospheric backgrounds.
The artist signed most of his works Chōki (), he also signed some work Eishōsai () or Shikō ().
Life and career
The details of Chōki's life are obscure. He was likely a student—and possibly
an adopted son—of
Toriyama Sekien
200px, A , specifically a Miage-nyūdō, as portrayed by Toriyama
, real name Sano Toyofusa, was a scholar, '' kyōka'' poet, and ''ukiyo-e'' artist of Japanese folklore.
Early life
Born to a family of high-ranking servants to the Tokugawa sh ...
. Chōki specialized in depicting beautiful women and had a number of art names: works signed Chōki were in the style similar to that of
Kiyonaga, and those signed Shikō that of
Utamaro
was a Japanese artist. He is one of the most highly regarded designers of ukiyo-e woodblock prints and paintings, and is best known for his ''Bijin-ga, bijin ōkubi-e'' "large-headed pictures of beautiful women" of the 1790s. He also produ ...
.
Chōki lived in the home of publisher
Tsutaya Jūzaburō
Tsutaya Jūzaburō (; 13 February 1750 – 31 May 1797) was the founder and head of the Tsutaya publishing house in Edo, Japan, and produced illustrated books and ukiyo-e woodblock prints of many of the period's most famous ar ...
, who published several of Chōki's print series. Amongst Chōki's more popular series were the ''Eight Views of Lake Ōmi'' (''Ōmi hakkei'') and the ''Eight Views of the Treasury of Loyal Retainers'' (''Chūshingura hakkei''). He also produced ''
hashira-e'' pillar prints, ''
kachō-e'' prints of birds and flowers, and book illustrations. His last known work is the illustrations for the book ''Nakoso Gate'' (''Nakoso no seki'') by
Kanwatei Onitake in 1809.
Gallery
Chôki_-_Most_Splendid_Entertainment_of_the_Niwaka_Festival_in_the_Licensed_Quarters.jpg, ''Most Splendid Entertainment of the Niwaka Festival in the Licensed Quarters''
Eishosai Choki - The Courtesan Tsuruno-o of the Tsuruya Brothel with her Attendants, 1795-1801.jpg, ''The Courtesan Tsuruno-o of the Tsuruya Brothel with her Attendants''
Eishosai Choki - The Courtesan Hinazuru of the Chojiya Brothel with her Kamuro Tsuruji and Tsuruno and Two Unidentified Shinzo.jpg, ''The Courtesan Hinazuru of the Chojiya Brothel with her Kamuro Tsuruji and Tsuruno and Two Unidentified Shinzo''
Eishosai Choki - Cat's Cradle.jpg, ''Cat's Cradle''
Brooklyn Museum - New Years Parade of the Beauties of the Green Houses - Eishusai Choki.jpg, ''New Years Parade of the Beauties of the Green Houses''
Examples of Chôki's signature- Chôki ga (left) and Shikô hitsu (right).jpg, The artist's signature: "Chōki ''ga''" ''(left)'' and "Shikō ''hitsu''" ''(right)''
References
Works cited
*
Further reading
* Hiller, Jack (1960) "Choki: What is a Minor Artist?". In: ''The Japanese Print: A New Approach'', Rutland, Tuttle. 94–101.
*
Lane, Richard. (1978). ''Images from the Floating World, The Japanese Print''. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
OCLC 5246796* Newland, Amy Reigle. (2005). ''Hotei Encyclopedia of Japanese Woodblock Prints''. Amsterdam: Hotei.
OCLC 61666175
* Roberts, Laurance P. (1976). ''A Dictionary of Japanese Artists''. New York: Weatherhill.
OCLC 2005932
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eishosai, Choki
Ukiyo-e artists
Year of birth missing
Year of death missing