The Pioneering Spirit of Okumura Masanobu Okumura Masanobu, a name perhaps less immediately recognizable than some of his ukiyo-e contemporaries, nevertheless occupies a crucial position in the development of Japanese printmaking. Born around 1686 in Edo (modern Tokyo), he emerged during a period of burgeoning urban culture and a rapidly expanding market for popular art. While precise details of his early life remain elusive, it’s clear that Masanobu was largely self-taught, absorbing influences from the established Torii school but quickly forging his own distinctive path. The Edo he inhabi…