Utagawa Kunisada (1786 - January 12; 1865) (Japanese: ?? ??; also known as Utagawa Toyokuni III ?????? ) was the most popular; prolific and financially successful designer of ukiyo-e woodblock prints in 19th-century Japan. In his own time; his reputation far exceeded that of his contemporaries; Hokusai; Hiroshige and Kuniyoshi.

Kunisada is renowned for his prints. His favourite subjects were pleasure-houses and tea ceremonies. These themes are sometimes found together in some of his prints; as geishas usually acted as chaperones at tea-houses. Notable among his book prints are shunga pictures; which appeared in numerous books. Due to censorship; they are signed only on the title page with his alias 'Matahei'. Pictures From History