Tsukioka Kōgyō was the first professional painter of noh theater in Japan. He studied under Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, Ogata Gekkō and Matsumoto Fūko joining the Academy of Fine Arts. Matsuki Heikichi of Daikokuya tried to reverse the disappearance of woodblock prints commissioning Kōgyō to create his various series on noh which began as paintings and were converted by Daikokuya into prints, which resembled watercolors. Their style incorporated perspective, atmosphere, and shading, giving them a modern feel. Kōgyō's daughter was also an artist, Tsukioka Gyokusei.