Kikugawa Eizan was a Japanese woodblock print designer. He studied under his father, Eiji, and his friend Suzuki Nanrei, a minor painter in the Kan and Shij schools. It is also believed that he also studied with Totoya Hokkei. His father was known to be an influential art collector. However, it is unknown whether he was related to Totoya Hokkei.
Kikugawa Eizan was born in 1787 and later died in 1867. His father, Kikugawa Eiji, was a popular painter in the Kano style. Originally, he was an apprentice to Utamaro, but later developed his own style. His work reflects both his father and his mentor's influence, but also possesses his own erotic charm and expressive sensuality. Although his career spanned a long period of time, it is believed that his first proper work was produced in his late teens or early twenties. He retired from printmaking in the 1820s, but continued to paint and contribute to books until his death.
Though critics have dismissed Eizan as a pragmatist of Utamaro's late style, his work has remarkable beauty and interest. The artist's mature figural style was primarily concerned with beautiful women, which led to an increase in demand for ukiyo-e. The popularity of this genre of prints compelled some artists to rush their creations, but Eizan's work shows impeccable design skills.
