Gigadō Ashiyuki

Examples of the signature of Ashiyuki, the one on the right reading “Nagakuni”

Woodblock print by Gigadō Ashiyuki of kabuki actor Arashi Kikusaburō II in character

Gigadō Ashiyuki (戯画堂　芦幸) was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints in Osaka, who was active from about 1813 to 1833. He was a pupil of Asayama Ashikuni, and was also a haiku poet. Ashiyuki (芦幸) is best known for his ōban sized (about 14 by 10 inches or 36 by 25 centimeters), prints of kabuki actors, although he also illustrated books, and designed surimono.

Nagakuni

Gigadō Ashiyuki used the name “Nagakuni” (長国) from about 1814 to 1821. There is another Osaka printmaker who in known as either Shūei Nagakuni or as Naniwa Nagakuni. This latter artist was a student of Nagahide and was active from about 1814 to the 1820s.

References

• Keyes, Roger S. & Keiko Mizushima, The Theatrical World of Osaka Prints, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Museum of Art, 1973, 261, 270.
• Lane, Richard. (1978). Images from the Floating World, The Japanese Print. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 10-ISBN 0192114476/13-ISBN 9780192114471; OCLC 5246796
• Newland, Amy Reigle. (2005). Hotei Encyclopedia of Japanese Woodblock Prints. Amsterdam: Hotei. 10-ISBN 9074822657/13-ISBN 9789074822657; OCLC 61666175
• Roberts, Laurance P. (1976). A Dictionary of Japanese Artists. New York: Weatherhill. 10-ISBN 0834801132/13-ISBN 9780834801134; OCLC 2005932