Utagawa Kuniyoshi: Unparalleled Ukiyo-e Artist

The great forgotten man of the ukiyo-e world, as some would have him, Kuniyoshi Utagawa was actually a man perfectly positioned to observe the drastic changes Japan underwent as it was forced open to the world. Indeed, two of his last pieces dealt with some of the strangest things he'd ever seen: foreigners, wandering around on Yokohama soil as if they owned the place. This exhibition at the Ota Memorial Museum deals in part with his interest in western painting styles, but the real draw will be the collection of pieces depicting his other great love: ghouls and spectres - perfectly timed for the spooky summer season.