Kuniyoshi Utagawa was one of the most prominent artists of woodblock printing that ever graced the world of Japanese art. Until his death in 1861, he introduced to the world some of the finest, most inventive designs of his time. He heavily influenced Japanese fashion and culture with his richly embellished single sheet prints, and has since been deemed one of the last masters of Japanese woodblock printing.

His work included prints of vast variety — everything from landscapes and everyday scenes to courtesans and geishas. He also produced numerous pieces depicting the eerie, often terrifying monsters and ghosts from Japanese folklore, as well as the heroes who fought them.

The impact of such woodblock prints was so great that they resulted in his being responsible for establishing the mythological and warrior print as a major genre.

Utagawa’s woodblock prints are still relevant to this day, and his artwork of Japanese monsters and ghosts continue to serve his audience a bold helping of artistic fright.