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| Torii Kiyonaga |
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Torii Kiyonaga (1752-1815) was popular during the Tenmei era. Kiyonaga grew up in the Torii School which was dedicated to theatrical subjects and succeded to the forth generation headship of the school. He first drew actors during his early work, and then started drawing ukiyoe for picture books. He came to draw beautiful women in great deal during the mid An-ei era (around 1780). His early works were influenced by such popular artists as Suzuki Harunobu, Isoda Koryusai, and Kitao Shigemasa(1739-1820).
Kiyonaga produced in a great deal and today, more than 500 of his works can be found. Kiyonaga established so called "Kiyonaga beauty" around 1780 and became one of the most influencial ukiyoe artists during this period. He drew beautifyl women on the street as wellas women in the pleasant district. He published several sets of his ukiyoe women, and among them, "Tosei Yuuri Bijin Awase", "Huuzoku Azuma no Nishiki", and "Minami 12 Koo" are considered his three best sets. His ukiyoe beauty can be characterized as relatively tall women with small long face.
