kunisada emerged as a book illustrator in 1807 with the series "twelve hours of the courtesans" ("keisei jūnitoki"). "kuchi-e" book illustrations were essential to the success of the then popular "sharebon" and "kibyōshi" books, and this soon became a lucrative market for kunisada due to his talent and ambition. his position within the utagawa studio afforded him access to training from the finest masters, and connections to publishers, actors, theatres and poet's associations. this, in turn, led to many commissions. by the early 1810s, he had opened his own studio, and demand for his illustrations had outstripped that for his master's. his great success was also reputedly linked to his "convivial and balanced demeanor, and [the fact that] he delivered his commissions on time."