Tsuchiya Kôitsu had an interesting career. At 15 he started his apprenticeship with one of the carvers of Kobayashi Kiyochika (1847-1915). He must have made himself noticed, for Kiyochika took him into his house, where he stayed for 19 years. After meeting Watanabe Shôzaburô at an exhibition of his teacher's work, he started designing woodblock prints for him, and later for Kawaguchi and Doi. His work is characterized by strong lines and contrasts.
