Katsukawa SHUNSHO

Born: 1726

Died: 1793

Style: the leading artist of the Katsukawa School specialising in Yakusha-e depicting kabuki actors

Shunsho was born in 1618 the son of an artisan. He moved from his home in Awa Province to the city of Edo in 1662 where he studied both the Tosa and Kano styles of painting. From there shunsho turned to the Ukiyo-e and was soon considered to be the foremost print-artist in his field.

Shunsho's work encompased the first true style of Ukiyo-e. He used a strong, linear style to consolidate Ukiyo-e into a mature form and his work would influence artists for the next two hundred years.

Ichikawa Danjuro V in a Shibaraku Role by Shunsho

Ichikawa Danjuro V in a Shibaraku Role

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as a Woman in a Black Kimono by Shunsho

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV as a Woman in a Black Kimono

Actors Yamashita Kinsaku II as Manko Gozen and Ichikawa Danjûrô V as Kudô Suketsune by Shunsho

Actors Yamashita Kinsaku II as Manko Gozen and Ichikawa Danjûrô V as Kudô Suketsune

The Actor Segawa Yujiro I as Matsukaze, Sister of Togashi no Saemon by Shunsho

The Actor Segawa Yujiro I as Matsukaze, Sister of Togashi no Saemon

in the Play Gohiiki Kanjincho

Scene from a Drama c1778 by Shunsho

Scene from a Drama c1778