Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798-1861) is a Japanese artist of the first half of the 19th century, a master of color woodwork. He was born in Edo in the family of a paint shop owner. He studied at the Utogawa Toyokuni Workshop (1811-1814), where he performed illustrations for literary works. After completing his studies he started his own creative work. Recognition came after the release of the cycle of engravings "108 heroes of Suikoden" (1827). He worked in various genres, but was most famous for historical, heroic and landscape.