Nishimura Yohachi

Nishimuraya Yohachi (dates unknown)[1] was one of the leading publishers of woodblock prints in late 18th-century Japan.

[2] He founded the Nishimuraya Yohachi publishing house, also known as Nishiyo (西与),[3] which operated in Nihonbashi's Bakurochō Nichōme under the shop name Eijudō.

[4][5] According to Andreas Marks, Nishimuraya is "one of the most important publishers in the history of prints and may be the publisher with the biggest output over time," attributing his success to "engaging the best artists and providing a broad range of prints to satisfy the public's interest.

[11] Founded by an ascetic named Hasegawa Kakugyō (1541–1646),[12] the cult venerated the mountain as a female deity, and encouraged its members to climb it.

[15] The publisher's association with the Fuji-kō gives clues not only to imagery in his portrait by Utagawa, but also to his eagerness to participate in the production of Hokusai's various works celebrating Mount Fuji.