Hokushu (fl.1808 - 1832 )
Hokushu was the leading designer of yakusha-e (actor prints) in Osaka for two decades. He is credited with many of the conventions and distinctive appearance of Osaka-e (Osaka prints). Said to have supported himself as a paper merchant, he began his artistic career in 1806 under the tutelage of either Shunko or Shunkosai, collaborating with the later on a book of illustrations in 1809. Hokusai Gashiki (1819), a formal listing of Hokusai’s students, reveals that Hokushu briefly studied with this master artist as well. Hokushu set off as an independent artist in 1818, working with the celebrated engraver Kasuke a year later. These collaborative works are considered masterpieces of the Osaka school.
A prolific artist throughout his career, Hokushu played a leading role in the popularization of the oban format in Osaka. He completed his first oban diptych in 1812 and favored this format throughout his career. He also produced elegant portrait fan prints, printed in deluxe editions and embellished with lavish details. According to the Naniwa Shoryu Gajin Meika Annai (1831), Hokushu was ranked among the top portrait artists in Osaka.
Ukiyo-e | Japanese Woodblock Prints | Ronin Gallery
Explore the largest collection of 17th-19th century original Japanese woodblock prints in the United States at Ronin Gallery. Ukiyo-e, or “pictures of the floating world,” captured the exciting urban popular culture of the Edo period (1603-1868), promoting its beauty, fashions and heroes. While the Buddhist term ukiyo originally emphasized the transitory nature of human life, during the 17th century the term gradually shifted its reference to the ephemeral world of pleasure and indulgence. From 17th century Buddhist woodcuts through 19th century Japanese ukiyo-e print masters, enter a vibrant world of enchanting landscapes and sublime nature studies by Hokusai and Hiroshige, dramatic kabuki actors by Sharaku and Toyokuni, fierce samurai by Kuniyoshi, and elegant beauties by Utamaro. With the ravages of time, war and fire, today few of these precious original Japanese woodblock prints survive outside of museums and important private collections.
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Hokushu
Kabuki Actor Nakamura Utaemon III as Ishikawa Goemon at the Okehazama Battle
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