Hishikawa Moronobu

Hishikawa Moronobu was a pioneering Japanese artist of the late 17th century, renowned for pioneering ukiyo-e, a genre of woodblock prints and paintings depicting everyday life, beauty, and entertainment in Edo (Tokyo). He is credited with developing the popular style that combined detailed line work with vibrant colors, making art more accessible to the public. Moronobu's work had a significant influence on subsequent ukiyo-e artists and helped establish the genre’s prominence in Japanese culture. His prints often illustrated scenes of courtesans, actors, and traditional lifestyles, capturing the spirit of the Edo period.