While often overlooked in favor of Hokusai and Hiroshige today, Kunisada's reputation in his own time far exceeded theirs and that of his other contemporaries. He was a leading ukiyo-e artist, known for depicting kabuki actors, beautiful women (bijin-ga), and historical scenes. Though initially influenced by his master, Utagawa Toyokuni, Kunisada developed a distinctive style that blended intricate patterns, rich colors, and expressive character depictions, making his work highly sought after both then and now.