Yashima Gakutei

Place: Osaka

Death: 1868

Biography:

Yashima Gakutei was a Japanese artist and poet who was a pupil of both Totoya Hokkei and Hokusai. He was born in Osaka around 1786 and was the illegitimate son of the samurai known as Hirata who served under the Tokugawa shogunate. Gakutei is best known for his kyōka poetry and surimono works. He is noted for the quality in his wood printing works and for his general contributions to the body of ukiyo-e artwork. Gakutei also illustrated an entire book called the Kyōka Suikoden (狂歌水滸伝) related to the translated Chinese novel Suikoden. He also created landscapes and seascapes for books, which are rare pieces amongst Hokusai's pupils. Gakutei is also known for his prolific writing; he wrote many humorous poems called kyōka and used them in his artwork and prints. Additionally, he was responsible for a Japanese translation of Journey to the West, for which he also completed illustrations.