Gekko Emperor Godaigo. 19th century Japan. Public domain image.

Ogata Gekko (1859-1920) was a Japanese artist known for his ukiyo-e prints and paintings. He was born in Tokyo and began his artistic training at an early age, studying under prominent artists such as Kawanabe Kyosai and Shibata Zeshin. Gekko's works often depicted scenes from Japanese folklore, mythology and history, as well as landscapes and animals. He was also known for his portraits of famous figures from Japanese history, such as the samurai Miyamoto Musashi and the poet Basho. In addition to his artistic activities, Gekko was also a teacher and writer. He taught at the Tokyo School of Fine Arts and wrote several books on art and culture. He was a prominent member of the Tokyo Bijutsu Club, an organisation that played a key role in the development of modern Japanese art. Today, Gekko's work is highly regarded for its technical skill and ability to capture the essence of traditional Japanese culture. His prints and paintings are in collections around the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the British Museum in London.