Kōgyo’s work was largely focused on the traditional theater of Noh. He created over 550 prints, in three major print series, documenting Noh performances, with focus on the costumes and poses of the actors. These prints appeared in magazines, books and posters. At the age of fifteen he apprenticed with the great woodblock artist Tsukioka Yoshitoshi, who had married his mother. His interest in Noh was likely sparked by Yoshitoshi, who had a lifelong fascination with Noh. He went on to study with the woodblock artist Ogata Gekkō and developed a style that synthesized Western and traditional Japanese artistic styles. The Noh prints created by Kōgyo serve as an artistically elegant and beautiful record of this theatrical genre’s customs and performances.