Utagawa Kuniyoshi (1798–1861) was a Japanese ukiyo-e master known for his powerful and imaginative woodblock prints, especially those of legendary samurai and mythical creatures. He started as an apprentice under Utagawa Toyokuni, but after a period of struggle, he gained fame with his series The 108 Heroes of the Suikoden. His work also included landscapes, beautiful women, and humorous caricatures, and he developed creative ways to work around censorship laws by creating prints like Scribbles on a Warehouse Wall.