Utagawa Yoshiharu

1828 ~ 1888

Ikuta Yoshiharu, also known as Utagawa Yoshiharu (歌川芳春), was a Japanese artist active during the late Edo and early Meiji periods.
Born in 1828 in Honjo, Edo (present-day Tokyo), he was the third son of a samurai family serving the Tokugawa shogunate. His father, Ikuta Kaiemon, held the role of go-konando-yaku, an administrative position in the shogunate government. In his youth, Yoshiharu showed interest in kabuki theatre and aspired to become an actor, but faced opposition from his family. As a result, he turned to art and became a student of Utagawa Kuniyoshi.
Throughout his career, Yoshiharu used several pseudonyms, initially signing his works as Ichibaisai Yoshiharu (一梅斎芳晴) but around the Keiō era (1865 - 1868), he changed his artist name to Yoshiharu.
Yoshiharu is known for producing a wide range of works, including bijin-ga, musha-e, kaika-e, omocha-e, and illustrations for books and newspapers. His artworks reflect the social and cultural transformations of 19th-century Japan, combining traditional elements with emerging Western influence.
He passed away on February 5, 1888, in Tokyo at the age of 61. His contribution to ukiyo-e is significant for its ability to document and interpret Japan`s rapid transformation during a pivotal historical era.

Artwork Description Not for Sale
Anthology of one hundres notable poems from the Meiji era
Meiji
The "Anthology of one hundres notable poems from the Meiji" (Meiji eimei hyakuei sen) is a refined e-hon (illustrated book) published in 1879, the 12th year of the Meiji era. It was illustrated by Ikuta Yoshiharu and edited by Shinoda Senka. The book features one hundred poems composed by prominent figures of early Meiji Japan, including, high-ranking ministers, scholars, military officials, literary figures, and former members of the samurai aristocracy. Each poem is accompanied by a portrait and a short biographical note about the author, making this work both an artistic and commemorative publication.
In the introduction, Shinoda Senka explains that the work was conceived as a tribute to the renewed imperial authority after a long period of national turbulence. The years preceding the Meiji Restoration are described as a time of silent endurance that laid the moral foundation for a new era. This collection seeks to preserve the memory of those who contributed with loyalty and patriotism, offering future generations a model of virtue and civic responsibility.