Ichiyosai Yoshitaki: The Maestro of Kabuki Portraits Ichiyosai Yoshitaki (歌川 芳滝, April 13, 1841 – June 28, 1899), also known as Utagawa Yoshitaki, stands as a towering figure in the history of Japanese woodblock prints. Active primarily during the late Edo and early Meiji periods, he dedicated his life to capturing the dynamism and captivating presence of Kabuki actors—a pursuit that cemented his legacy as Osaka’s most prolific designer of *yakusha-e* (役者絵) for nearly four decades. His output, numbering over 1,200 distinct prints, offers an unparalleled visual record of a vibrant theatrical…