Kaigetsudō Ando: The Silent Master of the Yoshiwara The world of ukiyo-e, the “pictures of the floating world,” is often dominated by flamboyant figures – Hokusai’s explosive brushstrokes, Hiroshige’s sweeping landscapes, Utamaro’s intimate portraits. Yet, within this vibrant tapestry, a figure remains remarkably understated: Kaigetsudō Ando (c. 1671–1743), a painter whose influence resonates profoundly despite his relative obscurity and the often-murky circumstances surrounding his life and work. Unlike many of his contemporaries who embraced the burgeoning popularity of woodblock prints, A…