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(6) Torii Kiyomitsu I [Kamejuro]
(b Edo [now Tokyo], 1735; d Edo, 1785). Woodblock print designer and book illustrator, second son of (4) Kiyomasu II. He produced his first work, a children’s book, Taimen no biwa (1747), at the age of 13. His output of illustrated books increased throughout his career, but he is best known for his single-sheet hosoban (‘narrow format’; c. 300*140 mm) yakushae (‘pictures of actors’). Kiyomitsu was no great innovator, but under his leadership the Torii school dominated the world of benizurie (‘pink-printed pictures’; two-colour prints) by creating striking images with strong colour contrasts and by refining the bold Torii line. This more elegant Torii style was suited to abunae (‘dangerous pictures’; erotic prints), which he produced in large numbers. He had many students, including (8) Kiyonaga, whom he adopted as his heir, (7) Kiyohiro and Kiyotada II. Kiyomitsu’s influence can also be seen in the work of SUZUKI HARUNOBU.
Part of the Torii family
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