Utagawa Kuniyoshi, In the Ruined Palace at Soma, c. 1845-46, Oban tryptich, Private collection

Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Miyamoto Musashi Attacking the Giant Whale, c. 1847, Oban tryptich, Private collection

Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1797–1861) was part of the last generation of ukiyo-e artists, many of whom were active in the late Edo era. Based on innovative concepts previously unseen in the medium, Kuniyoshi’s highly diverse works breathed new life into the world of ukiyo-e. The unique appeal of his bold compositions portraying heroes striking powerful poses, and garishly colored musha-e (warrior prints) turned Kuniyoshi into an overnight sensation. The artist’s rich imagination is on full display in works such as his audacious musha-e, which make the most of a large format triptych; landscapes that incorporate Western painting techniques; bijin-ga (beauty prints) that capture the daily routines of everyday women; and witty giga (comic prints).

Kuniyoshi’s novel expressions delight the viewer with their special charms. This exhibition, a comprehensive overview of the artist’s career, consists of approximately 400 pieces dealing with a wide range of subjects, and includes musha-e, giga, bijin-ga, landscapes, actor prints, and hand-drawn paintings.

Hours and Admission

April 24-June 21, 2026

10:00-17:00

Open until 20:00 on Fridays

(Last admission; 30 minutes before closing)

Closed on Mondays (except May 4), May 7

Adults: ¥1,800 (¥1,600)

University students: ¥1,000 (¥800)

High-school students: ¥ 800 (¥600)

Junior high school students and under: Free

＊ The price in brackets is for an advance ticket and a discount ticket for a group of 20 people and over.

＊ Including the admission fee for the Collection Galleries.

Exhibition

Organised by Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, The Yomiuri Shimbun, CHUKYO TV. BROADCASTING CO., LTD.

Event Website: Utagawa Kuniyoshi: The Spellbinding Ukiyo-e Works of an Eccentric Artist