Hanabusa Itchō 英一蝶

Hanabusa Itchō (1652–1724) was a Japanese painter and calligrapher known for his contributions to the ukiyo-e art movement. Born in Kyoto, Itchō initially trained under Kano Yasunobu, a master of the Kano school, before developing his own distinctive style that blended traditional Japanese themes with a more playful and satirical approach. His work often depicted scenes of everyday life, capturing the vibrancy and humor of the Edo period. In 1698, Itchō was exiled to the island of Miyake-jima due to a political scandal, which interrupted his career for nearly a decade. Upon his return to Edo, he continued to produce influential works that left a lasting impact on the development of genre painting in Japan. His legacy is marked by his ability to infuse classical themes with a sense of modernity and wit, influencing subsequent generations of artists.