Tsutsui Toshimine (çÂÂ亠年峰, Tsutsui Toshimine, 1863 or 1865 â c. 1934) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist and illustrator active in the Meiji period. He is best known for his Kuchi-e (woodblock-printed frontispieces) for literary magazines and books.
Tsutsui Toshimine, whose real name was Tsutsui Yà «zà  (çÂÂ亠åÂÂèµ), was born in Itami in Settsu Province (present-day Hyà Âgo Prefecture) into a merchant family. There is some uncertainty regarding his birth year: while one source gives Bunkyà « 3 (1863), another suggests Keià  1 (1865).
He moved to Tokyo (Kayabachà Â) around 1887 for commercial training. From childhood he had a strong inclination toward drawing and painting, frequently sketching in his spare time. Around 1887 (Meiji 20), after visiting an industrial exhibition, he became increasingly devoted to painting, practicing independently in the early mornings and evenings.
He initially attempted to study under Kawanabe Kyà Âsai, but was refused, as Kyà Âsai did not accept students indiscriminately. At the age of 25, he instead became a pupil of Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. He also studied under an artist known as Kyokuhà  of the Shijà  school (Ã¥ÂÂæ¡派). On Yoshitoshi's recommendation, he adopted the art name âÂÂToshimineâ by combining one character from each of his teachersâ names.
In the early 1890s (Meiji 24âÂÂ26), he worked in Osaka producing newspaper illustrations. In 1893 he returned to Tokyo and later joined the newspaper Jiji Shinpà  in April 1896, where he worked both as an illustrator and as a photographer. He also produced designs for book and magazine frontispieces.
From 1895 onward, Toshimine became a regular contributor of Kuchi-e illustrations to the literary magazine Bungei Kurabu (æÂÂè¸å¶楽é¨), remaining active for approximately 18 years, from its early to late phases. He also worked for the editorial office of Shin shà Âsetsu and created numerous frontispieces for writers associated with the KenâÂÂyà «sha group.
Among Kuchi-e artists, he was regarded as one of the leading figures alongside Takeuchi Keishà «, Mizuno Toshikata, Tomioka Eisen, Kajita Hanko, Suzuki Kasà Â, and Ogata Gekkà Â. His work combined ukiyo-e training with a refined, Western-influenced sensibility, and his strong linework made his prints particularly popular among foreign audiences.
He also produced illustrations for books by authors such as Izumi Kyà Âka, Iwaya Sazanami, Watanabe Kasatei, Emi Suikage, and Nishimura Tenshà «, among others, and gained recognition overseas as a designer of woodblock frontispieces.
Around 1901 (Meiji 34), he began studying photography as part of his artistic research. His name appears among the pupils of Yoshitoshi on the memorial stele to Yoshitoshi erected in 1898 at Mukà Âjima Hyakkaen, alongside artists such as Mizuno Toshikata and Migita Toshihide.
His death is traditionally dated to around 1934 (Shà Âwa 9), though this remains unconfirmed.
Tsutsui Toshimine is best known for his Kuchi-e illustrations and book frontispieces.