Toyokuni I, also referred to as Utagawa Toyokuni, was born and worked in Edo, Japan. At fourteen years old he worked in the studio of Toyoharu and drew inspiration from his famous contemporaries, particularly from the great Utamaro. Toyokuni produced elegant courtesans, fine actor prints, book illustrations, and paintings. He held a strong reputation throughout his life and taught several students, including Kunisada and Kuniyoshi. Considered a highly influential Ukiyo-e artist, Toyokuni played an important role in getting the Utagawa School to fame. He created remarkable work depicting bijinga (beautiful women) and Kabuki actors. He not only depicted actors in their stage roles, but also their private lives and individual personalities in his yakusha-e (actor prints).
