UTAGAWA Toyokuni II / 二代目歌川豊国

Ukiyo-e painter, illustrator. Lived in Hongo in Edo, working as a pottery dealer. Pupil and son-in-law of Toyokuni. After the death of his master in 1825, called himself Toyokuni II but was challenged by other followers of Toyokuni and changed his name to Toyoshige. From 1826 signed Toyokuni or Gosotei Toyokuni, commonly known as Hongo Toyokuni after the district in which he lived. In later years, resumed name of Toyoshige. His prints of actors and bijin in Toyokuni’s manner, and often confused with his work, have little merit, but in his landscape series, which owe much to Hokuju and Hokusai, he can be compared to Hiroshige. Also illustrated storybooks.

Roberts, Laurance, P. "A Dictionary of Japanese Artists", John Weatherhill Inc., New York, 1980, p. 186-187