Kawanabe Kyosai

The Demon of Painting, Revolutionary and Sake Enthusiast
Kawanabe Kyōsai (河鍋 暁斎, May 18, 1831 – April 26, 1889) is a figure whose life and work are intertwined with a transformative era in Japan, spanning the transition from the feudal Edo period to the modernized Meiji era. This artist and caricaturist, individualist and perhaps the last virtuoso of traditional Japanese painting, left an indelible mark on art history. His works blend mysticism, satire, and bold humor, while rumors of his eccentric behavior and love for sake add a spicy edge to his legacy.