Born in Fuchū, Suruga (Shizuoka), son of a low-ranking samurai under the town magistrate.
In Osaka he joined a group of jōruri playwrights and helped write scripts.
Moving to Edo, he lodged with the publisher Tsutaya Jūzaburō and began writing kibyōshi and other works.
He published Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige, the comic journey of Yajirobei and Kitahachi along the Tōkaidō, a huge success.
Continuing the story to Osaka, he completed the main series, sparking a travel boom.
For years he went on writing sequels taking Yaji and Kita to Konpira, the Nakasendō and beyond.
He died in Edo, reportedly leaving a farewell poem full of humour to the last.
Katsushika HokusaiHanaoka SeishūSantō KyōdenKobayashi IssaKyokutei BakinTakadaya KaheiSatō IssaiHirata Atsutane
People of the Edo period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.