**early life and training**

utagawa kunisada ii, also known as toyokuni iv, was a renowned japanese ukiyo-e print designer born in edo, japan in 1823. he was a pupil of utagawa kunisada i and signed much of his early work under the name kunimasa iii. around 1850-51, he adopted the name kunisada ii, marking his inheritance of the utagawa school.

**artistic style and notable works**

kunisada ii's prints include over 40 series, mostly featuring actors (yakusha-e), as well as portraits of beauties, illustrations of scenes from literature, erotica, and other subjects. one of his most celebrated works is the tale of the eight dog heroes (hakkendun inu no sōshi no uchi), dating from 1852, drawn from kyokutei bakin's epic novel, the satomi clan and the eight dogs (nansō satomi hakkenden).

**legacy and later life**

kunisada ii headed the utagawa school and worked in the style of his master, but never achieved the same level of success. his popularity waned in the meiji period (1868–1912), and he appears to have stopped making prints after 1874. he died on july 20, 1880, and was buried at banshōin kōunji. his buddhist posthumous name is sankōin hōkokujutei shinji.

**notable mentions in ArtsDot.com**

• view utagawa kunisada ii's artworks on ArtsDot.com
• explore the hokkaido museum of modern art (japan) on ArtsDot.com
• discover nonoyama kōzan's paintings on ArtsDot.com

**key points in kunisada ii's life**

• 1823: born in edo, japan
• 1850-51: adopted the name kunisada ii
• 1852: created the tale of the eight dog heroes
• 1868–1912: meiji period, during which his popularity waned
• july 20, 1880: passed away and was buried at banshōin kōunji

**further reading on ArtsDot.com**

• the hokkaido museum of modern art (japan) - a cultural haven
• utagawa kunisada ii's biography and artworks on ArtsDot.com