Katsukawa Shunshō
- Katsukawa school
Katsukawa Shunshō did not begin his career in woodblock printing until he was nearly forty years old. Before this, he studied painting under Katsukawa Shunsui and the Hanabusa school. His late start did not hinder his progress. He eventually became the head of the Katsukawa school. One of his most notable acts was mentoring a young student named Katsushika Hokusai, who initially worked under the name Shunrō. Shunshō often signed his work with a characteristic jar-shaped seal containing the character for grove.
Biography
Shunshō changed the direction of Japanese ukiyo-e by introducing realism to actor portraits. Earlier artists used generic facial features for every subject. Shunshō captured the specific physical traits of Kabuki performers instead. He frequently utilised the narrow hosoban format for these depictions. His work in the 1770 collection, A Picture-book of Stage Fans, demonstrated his ability to fit expressive characters into restrictive shapes. He also produced prints of sumo wrestlers, including Tanikaze Kajinosuke, and illustrated classical literature like the Tales of Ise.
Modern collectors value Shunshō for his clean lines and the historical accuracy of his theatrical subjects. His prints, such as Ichikawa Yaozo II as Soga no Goro, provide a clear view of the costumes and poses of the Edo period stage. The compositions are balanced and lack unnecessary clutter. These works offer a sophisticated aesthetic for contemporary interiors. His focus on individual personality rather than idealised forms makes his portraits feel immediate and human.
Notable Works
Tap to view larger.
Next stop
Browse the movements →
Every movement in the collection, from the Renaissance to Pop art.
Katsukawa Shunshō prints
Hand-finished archival prints from Katsukawa Shunshō's body of work.
Actor Nakamura Denkūrō II in a Striped Robe - Katsukawa Shunshō
From £28.00
Actor Ichikawa Danjūrō 5th as Moriya no Daijin disguised as Rokujūrokubu - Katsukawa Shunshō
From £28.00
Actor Nakamura Nakazō 1st as Kume no Heinaizaemon - Katsukawa Shunshō
From £28.00
Actor in the play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga - Katsukawa Shunshō
From £28.00
Actor Nakamura Noshio 1st - Katsukawa Shunshō
From £28.00
Actor ōtani Hiroji 3rd as a White Fox disguised as Ukishima Daihachi - Katsukawa Shunshō
From £28.00
Related Artists
Take Katsukawa Shunshō home.
See all Katsukawa Shunshō prints →Frequently Asked Questions
When was Katsukawa Shunshō born?
Katsukawa Shunshō was born in 1726 and died in 1793.What art movement was Katsukawa Shunshō part of?
Katsukawa Shunshō was associated with Katsukawa school.What is Katsukawa Shunshō known for?
Katsukawa Shunshō is known for katsukawa Shunshō was a master of the Katsukawa school who introduced realistic portraiture to Japanese woodblock prints, capturing the specific features of Kabuki actors and sumo wrestlers.