Kuniteru

Born in Edo (Tokyo), he studied under both Kunisada and Toyokuni I.

He produced prints of a wide variety of subjects, including many depicting the increasing Western influence on Japan, with his main output taking the form of book illustrations and single-sheet ukiyo-e.

He was known by various names: he called himself Kunitsuna II or Ichiransai until the Ganji era (1864/1865).

As Kunitsuna II he concentrated on caricatures and scenes from his travels.

After taking his master's name, he expanded his range to include scenes of sumo wrestling, and the modernization and westernization of Japan.

Kuniteru's print represents a scene from the Kabuki play Nihon Furisode Hajime , in which Emperor Gozu (posthumously deified as Susanoo-no-Mikoto ) kills a dragon to save Princess Inada.