Kikukawa Eizan was born in 1787 under the given name of Toshinobu Omiya. It is believed that he had retired from printmaking in the late 1820s, however, he did go on to contribute illustrations for books. Like many Ukiyo-e artists, Eizan's practice developed from a close identification with a leading master, which eventually led to independence. His later work, as he reached artistic maturity, began to develop a figural style, still mostly focused on prints of beautiful women (bijin-ga). Some of his major woodblock print series include, Furyu bijin awase (Collected Beauties), Furyu gojo soroi (Five Cardinal Virtues), and Furyu mu Tamagawa (Six Jewel Rivers). "Furyu" translates to "elegant" or "stylish." Eizan also produced notable diptychs and triptychs, as well as a few surimono (privately commissioned prints for special occasions). Though his prints were limited to bijin works, he did experiment with actors, landscapes, and animals, as well as child figures appearing in many of his bijin works.
