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Kiyomasu

Act. c.1704–18

Given name: Shōjirō. Art surname: Torii.

Obscure early print designer about whom no primary evidence exists apart from the works signed by him. Kiyomasu is believed to be related to Torii Kiyonobu in some way by presumably being his oldest son, brother, or student, but it also has been suggested that he actually established a different lineage within the Torii School. Nevertheless, he was one of the principal artists of the first generation of the Torii School.

No books with illustrations by Kiyomasu are known. His period of activity can only be defined according to the dated actor prints, therefore 1704 until 1718. During that time he worked for six publishers. Kiyomasu predominantly designed actor prints but also some of warriors, beauties, and other subjects. Most of his over 80 known theater prints are from the 1710s. Presumably around 1715, he designed a number of series of horizontal sumizuri-e (black-and-white pictures) that illustrate stage scenes. His statuesque beauties follow the style of the Kaigetsudō School artists. Because since 1719, works signed “Kiyomasu” bear different signatures, it is believed that they are by Kiyomasu II. Having left no prints dated after 1718, he seemed to have disappeared rather quickly from the scene and perhaps died young.

early 1700s. Kintarō wrestling with a black bear. 55.2 x 32.1 cm, tan-e. Publisher: Igaya Kan’emon. Honolulu Academy of Arts: Gift of James A. Michener, 1975 (16576).