Hosoda Eishi

Hosoda Eishi (1756-1815) was a unique figure in ukiyo-e history - a samurai of high rank who abandoned his prestigious position to become an artist specializing in portraits of elegant women. Born into the Fujiwara clan and serving as a direct retainer to the shogun, Eishi made the remarkable decision at age 30 to leave samurai service and pursue art. He studied initially under Kanō school painters before developing his own distinctive style influenced by ukiyo-e masters like Torii Kiyonaga.

Eishi's bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) are characterized by their extraordinary elegance and refinement, featuring tall, graceful figures with an aristocratic bearing that reflected his own high-class background. His color sense was particularly sophisticated, employing subtle gradations and harmonious combinations that set his work apart from more commercial productions.

Working primarily in the 1790s, Eishi created relatively few prints compared to other masters, suggesting he maintained the selective approach of a gentleman artist rather than a commercial producer. His series such as 'Six Flowers of the Yoshiwara' and 'Contest of Beauties' are considered among the finest examples of the bijin-ga genre. He trained several pupils, including Eiri and Eisui, who continued his elegant style. Later in life, Eishi returned primarily to painting, creating works for wealthy patrons. His unique position as a samurai-artist gives his work a distinctive quality that bridges the aristocratic and popular traditions of Japanese art.

Today, his prints are highly prized for their exceptional refinement and rarity.

If you want to know more about the artist: Eishi - Wikipedia