Kaburaki Kiyokata

Born in Tokyo. Son of Jöno Saigiku, a noted journalist and theater critic. Studied with Tsukioka Yoshitoshi and Mizuno Toshikata. Founded Ugökai in 1901 for ukiyo-e and Japanese genre painters; society dissolved in 1912. Founded Kinreisha, an organization for Japanese-style painters, in 1917. Appointed member of Imperial Art Academy in 1929. Also exhibited paintings at Bunten and Teiten. Appointed to Art Committee of Imperial Household in 1938. Began his career ca. 1901 with illustrations for serialized novels in newspapers; established his reputation with illustrations for the Shun’yödö edition of the immensely popular novel Demon goals (Konjiki Yasha). His wife served as model for some of the scenes. Many illustrations printed by woodblock; single-sheet prints published by Satö Shötarö in 1909. Although very successful as an illustrator, Kiyokata focused on paintings of nostalgic genre scenes after 1910. Publishers, however, continued to make moku-hanga from his paintings. Influential teacher and mentor of many shin-hanga artists including Itö Shinsui and Kawase Hasui. Received Order of Cultural Merit in 1954.

Helen Merritt and Nanako Yamada, Guide to Modern Japanese Woodblock Prints: 1900-1975

U.S.A.: University of Hawaii Press, 1992, Page 50