Hishikawa Moronobu 菱川師宣

Hishikawa Moronobu (Japanese, c. 1618–1694) was a pivotal figure in the development of the ukiyo-e art movement during the Edo period. Born in the province of Awa, Moronobu initially trained in his family's textile business, which influenced his later artistic endeavors. He is credited with being one of the first artists to produce single-sheet ukiyo-e prints, thereby transforming the genre from book illustrations to standalone artworks. His work is characterized by dynamic compositions and a keen attention to detail, which helped establish the visual language of ukiyo-e. Moronobu's influence extended beyond his lifetime, as he laid the groundwork for subsequent generations of ukiyo-e artists. His legacy is evident in the continued popularity and evolution of ukiyo-e, which became a defining feature of Japanese art.