Exhibition ‘Tsutaya Jūzaburō: Publisher who Discovered Utamaro and Sharaku’ Opened

On November 3, the exhibition titled ‘Tsutaya Jūzaburō: Pubisher who Discovered Utamaro and Sharaku’ opened at the Suntory Museum of Art (until December 19). It featured the activities of TSUTAYA Jūzaburō, known as Tsutajū, the publisher who skillfully marketed the works of ukiyo-e artists such as KITAGAWA Utamaro, TŌSHŪSAI Sharaku, playwright SANTŌ Kyōden, and kyōka poet ŌTA Nanpo in the late eighteenth-century Edo, therey directing and creating the cutting edge of Edo culture. While stabilizing his business by publishing guides to Edo Yoshiwaha pleasure quarter, such as ‘Yoshiwara saiken’, he simultaneously built his brand by successively publishing works by popular kyōka poets and playwrights. Furthermore, the exhibition showcased his talent as a renowned producer, revealing his dedication to discovering new talents such as KATSUSHIKA Hokusai, JIPPENSHA Ikku, and KYOKUTEI Bakin. (Japanese)