Charles Wirgman facts for kids
Charles Wirgman (born August 31, 1832 – died February 8, 1891) was a talented English artist and cartoonist. He is famous for creating a funny magazine called Japan Punch. He also drew pictures for the Illustrated London News while living in China and Japan during the Meiji period.
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Who Was Charles Wirgman?
Charles Wirgman was the oldest son of Ferdinand Charles Wirgman. He also had a brother named Theodore Blake Wirgman. In 1863, Charles married Ozawa Kane, and they had one son together.
Life in Japan
Wirgman came to Japan in 1861. He worked as a reporter and artist for the Illustrated London News. He lived in Yokohama from 1861 until he passed away.
Creating Japan Punch
In Japan, Wirgman started the country's first magazine. It was called the Japan Punch. He published it every month from 1862 until 1887. Like its British namesake, this magazine was very funny. It often used satire, which means making fun of things to show a point. Wirgman filled the magazine with his own cartoons.
Working with Felice Beato
From 1864 to 1867, Wirgman worked with Felice Beato. They formed a company called "Beato & Wirgman, Artists and Photographers." Wirgman drew pictures based on Beato's photographs. In return, Beato took photos of some of Wirgman's drawings and other artworks.
Teaching Japanese Artists
Wirgman was also a teacher. He taught many Japanese artists how to draw and paint in a Western style. One of his possible students was the famous ukiyo-e artist Kobayashi Kiyochika.
His Students
- From 1865, he taught Goseda Yoshimatsu and Kanō Tomonobu.
- In 1866, he taught Takahashi Yuichi. Wirgman even helped Yuichi show his work at the International Exposition of 1867.
- Wirgman also briefly taught English. One of his most famous English students was Admiral Tōgō, who was a young cadet at the time.
Exploring Japan
In the 1860s, Wirgman traveled around Japan. He went with Sir Ernest Satow, a British diplomat. Satow wrote about their journeys in his book, Diplomat in Japan.
His Legacy
Charles Wirgman's grave is located in the Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery. His work helped introduce Western art styles to Japan.
See also
- Anglo-Japanese relations
- Georges Ferdinand Bigot
