Moronobu, Hishikawa

(1618 or 1625 or c1637 Hoda-1694 or 1703 or 9/10/1714) (Japan); aka Kichibei / Yuchiku / Nihon E / Gwako, Yamato

   Painter and woodblock printmaker. Founder of the Hishigawa School. His father was an embroiderer and he probably started out in that field. After he moved to Edo before 1660, he turned to producing paintings and book illustrations. He created individual engravings known as "ichimai-e" and produced erotic prints sometimes published in 12 page albums. A pioneer of the Ukiyo-e tradition.

   Reproductions: [Couple copulating]; Klinger, 1982a: figs. 32-36 / Kronhausen, 1970c: plate XXXIX / Beurdeley, 1977: pp. 90, 93 [B] / Gnojewski 2004: p. 28 (upper) [C]. [Couples copulating]; woodblock; Kronhasuen, 1968: pp. 294297 [B]. [Couple making love in front of a mirror]; late 17th century; Rawson, 1981: plate 169 [B]. Emperor Shirakawa with mistress and attendant lord, illustration to Pleasure with the beauties of Japan; c1672; woodblock; Rawson, 1983: fig. 213 [B]. Illustration from Komurasaki ("Deep Purple"); 1677; woodblock; Rawson, 1983: fig. 220 [B]. [Lovers]; Gnojewski 2004: pp. 40, 41 [C]. [Nude couple copulating]; Kronhausen, 1970c: p. 223 [B]. [Nude man copulating with semi-nude woman]; Kronhausen, 1970c: plate XXXVIII [C]. [Nude man with draped geisha]; Kronhausen, 1970c: p. 220 [B]. Reluctant girl; Rawson, 1981: plate 170 [B]. Seamstress and her lover; woodblock; early 1680s; Rawson, 1983: fig. 214 [B]. [Sex scenes]; Evans, 1975: figs. 5.10-5.27 [B]. [Sex scenes]; woodblock; early 1680s; Rawson, 1983: figs. 215-218 [B]. [Threesome]; Gnojewski, 2004: p. 46 [C]. [Two women]; Kronhausen, 1970c: p. 222 [B]. Wealthy townsman with mistress and attendants, illustration to Imayo Yoshiwara-makura ("Stylish Yoshi-wara Pillow"); c1683; woodblock; Rawson, 1983: fig. 219 [B].

   [b]Source: ThB XXV 1931: p. 166.