Ukita Ikkei - Ukita Ikkei

A painter of the revival Yamato-e school at the end of the Edo period. Born in Kyoto. His surname can also be written as Ukita, his given name was Kiminobu, later changed to Yoshitame, and he went by the pen name Ichikeisai. He was commonly known as Kuranosuke. He learned painting techniques from Tanaka Totsugen, the founder of the revival Yamato-e school, and, dissatisfied with the copy-based approach prevalent in the art world at the time, he attempted to revive Yamato-e by directly engaging with the classics. His representative works include "Nen no Hi Asobizu Byobu," "Shijogawara no Evening Cool Cool," and the historical painting "Oigawa River Boating Folding Screen," based on historical events. His last work, "Konkai Soushi Emaki," is thought to be a satirical illustration of the marriage of Princess Kazunomiya, and shows Ichikei's keen awareness of the times and his active participation in them. In 1859 (Ansei 6), he was implicated in the Ansei Purge, which led to his death from illness.

[Etsuko Kato]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸末期の復古大和(やまと)絵派の画家。京都に生まれる。姓は宇喜多とも書き、名は公信(きみのぶ)、のちに可為(よしため)と改め、一蕙斎と号した。通称は内蔵輔(くらのすけ)。復古大和絵派の創始者、田中訥言(とつげん)に画技を学び、当時の画壇の粉本主義に飽き足らず直接古典にあたることによって大和絵を復興しようとした。代表作としては『子日遊図屏風(ねのひあそびずびょうぶ)』、『四条河原夕涼図』、故事に取材した歴史画である『大堰川(おおいがわ)舟遊図屏風』などがある。そして絶筆となった『婚怪草紙絵巻』は、当時の皇女和宮(かずのみや)降嫁事件の風刺画と考えられ、一蕙の鋭敏な時代意識と、積極的な時代参加の姿勢を示している。1859年（安政6）安政(あんせい)の大獄に連座し、このため病を得て没す。

［加藤悦子］

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