Octopus and Shell

1818–1826

Years of want: hardly any commissions

Only a few publishers agree to print his work, and he earns his living mostly by stuffing and repairing tatami mats; other accounts extend these years to 1827. He lives in constant need.

1818–1827

A meeting with Kunisada

At a desperate moment, when he has to sell used tatami mats, he happens to meet his prosperous fellow pupil Kunisada, whom he felt inferior in talent, and redoubles his efforts; there is no lasting ill feeling, and they later collaborate on a number of series.

1818–1827

Beauties and experiments with Western light and shadow

In these years he draws beautiful women (bijin-ga) and experiments with the large textile patterns and light-and-shadow effects found in Western art, though his attempts show more imitation than real understanding of these principles.

1820

Marriage

In 1820 he marries, still living in constant need.

1827

Commission for “108 Heroes of the Suikoden”

The publisher Kagaya Kichibei commissions five sheets from him for the print series “108 Heroes of the Suikoden”; the sheets sell well, and Kuniyoshi is given all the remaining “heroes” of the series.