Takeuchi, Keishu (1861 - 1943 )
Born as Shinpei Takeuchi, Keishu Takeuchi was the son of daimyo in modern-day Wakayama prefecture. He received no formal schooling, learning basic reading and writing through the private school organized by his father. Though Keishu was later adopted into the family of Eitaku Kano (1814-1891), national chaos prevented the serious study of Kano painting. Faced with a lack of demand for Kano-style artists, Keishu began to decorate export-bound porcelain on the side. Circa 1879, his brother’s suicide brought Keishu back to his familial home and an end to his Kano pursuits. He prospered as a porcelain worker, but when the company urged hurried, subpar work to increase profits, Keishu turned to hanshita, the black-and-white drawings used to carve the key block.
It is unclear what year Keishu turned to woodblock printing and the world of illustration. A self-taught printmaker, Keishu brought a freshness and originality to the genre of kuchi-e (frontispieces for books). By chance circumstance, he became a student of Yoshitoshi: Keishu’s pottery student Toshikuni, a pupil of Yoshitoshi, took Keishu to meet the famed master of the bizarre. Misreading the situation, Yoshitoshi invited Keishu to be his student and gave him the name “Toshisuke.” Keishu wrote, “It was not what I had in mind…but I had no reason to refuse it.” The two artists became friends and Keishu’s name can be found on Yoshitoshi’s memorial.
Close friends Koyo Ozaki, the leader Ken’yusha, Keishu illustrated many of kuchi-e for the works of this literary group, as well as children’s books. In 1895, he joined the Hakabunkan publishing company to manage illustration for the company’s magazines. Keisho continued to produce woodblock prints through the Russo-Japanese war, but towards the end of his life he focused on making Saga dolls.
Modern Art | Modern Japanese Prints and Paintings
The 20th century saw the emergence of two modern Japanese print movements: Shin Hanga, or “new prints,” and Sosaku Hanga, or “creative prints.” Both sought an identity somewhere between centuries of rich cultural tradition and modern global character. With growing realism, changing techniques, and a newfound international audience, the Shin Hanga movement portrayed familiar Japanese themes through modern eyes. From sensual beauties and expressive actors, to atmospheric landscapes and sensitive nature studies, the principal genres of ukiyo-e reasserted themselves with renewed vigor. The Sosaku Hanga movement emphasized the participation of the artist in every aspect of production. From carving to printing, modern Japanese printmaking adopted a more spontaneous, expressive attitude through the artistic explorations of this movement. Ranging from figural to abstract, Sosaku Hanga flourished after WWII. Explore Ronin Gallery's selection of modern prints and paintings below.
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