Each bookstore will act as a concierge, recommending "the book you should read now" to FASHION HEADLINE readers. Every Thursday, each store of the art bookstore "NADiff" will introduce a book they recommend. This time, we will be introducing the Shibuya branch of NADiff modern (Bunkamura, 1st basement, 2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo).

■ "Utagawa Kunisada: This is the Essence of Edo" by Hinohara Kenji

Utagawa Kunisada was an ukiyo-e artist active in the late Edo period. He apprenticed under Utagawa Toyokuni I and made his debut in the ukiyo-e world at the age of 22, where he quickly distinguished himself. He established a solid position in the two most important genres of ukiyo-e prints, particularly in portraits of beautiful women and portraits of actors, and remained at the forefront of the art until his death at the age of 79. Kunisada's popularity during the Edo period was so great that it surpassed that of Katsushika Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige, and even his fellow disciple, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, making him truly a symbol of the ukiyo-e world of the time.
Kunisada, known for his prolific output, was considered prolific due to the sheer number of works he produced, and for a long time since the Meiji period, he has been unfairly undervalued. However, in recent years, research has become more active both in Japan and overseas, and there is a growing momentum to properly appreciate his achievements.
This book contains a carefully selected collection of masterpieces, primarily portraits of beautiful women, making it a valuable resource for learning about Kunisada's artistic career. We hope you will enjoy the glamorous world of Kunisada, an ukiyo-e artist beloved by Edo residents.

Currently, Bunkamura The Museum is holding an exhibition called "Our Kuniyoshi, My Kunisada from the Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston," which allows visitors to experience the world of ukiyo-e, a form of Edo pop culture, by displaying works by Utagawa Kuniyoshi and Utagawa Kunisada, brothers and disciples who were both hugely popular with their contrasting styles.
【Book Information】
"Utagawa Kunisada: This is the Essence of Edo"
Author: Hinohara Kenji
Supervised by: Ota Memorial Art
Publisher: Tokyo Bijutsu
Softcover / 136 pages / B5 size
Published: March 2016
Price: 2,700 yen (tax included)

【Exhibition Information】
"Our Kuniyoshi, My Kunisada: From the Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston"
Venue: Bunkamura The Museum
Address: 2-24-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 1st basement floor
Dates: March 19th - June 5th
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 19:00 (until 21:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, last admission 30 minutes before closing)
Admission: 1,500 yen for adults (1,300 yen for groups), 1,500 yen for university and high school students 1,000 yen (800 yen for groups), junior high school and elementary school students 700 yen (500 yen for groups)
*Discounts available for those with a disability certificate. Ask at the counter for details.