The era-defining publisher of the Edo period Tsutaya Jūzaburō (1750–97) singlehandedly created the golden age of ukiyoe. With his discerning eye, he discovered talents such as Kitagawa Utamaro (unknown birth –1806), Tōshūsai Sharaku (birth and death unknown), and many others to become celebrity artists.

These big stars in ukiyoe soon establish their iconic styles, such as bijin ōkubie (portraits of women from the chest up) and striking portrayal of kabuki actors, leaving a significant mark on the future ukiyoe culture, and it was Tsutaya who made all this happen.

This exhibition revisits this legendary publisher’s accomplishment through the nishikie and brush-painted bijinga published by his printing house, including Utamaro and Sharaku as well as Chōbunsai Eishi (1756–1829), Utagawa Toyokuni (1769–1825), and Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), who developed strong careers under his support. The accompanying photographic portrayals of Tokyo landscapes offer a unique reference point to telescope into the popular culture in Tsutaya’s home ground Edo, a key background to the golden age of ukiyoe.