Shunko (1743 - 1812 )
Born as Denjiro Kiyokawa, Shunko Katsukawa began designing prints and illustrated books in 1771. An early student of Shunsho, at times Shunko signed his work with jar seal similar to that of his teacher, earning him the nickname “little tsubo.” It is likely that he was the senior pupil in Shunsho’s studio at the time that Hokusai (then known as Shunro) was a student. According to Hokusai’s own account, Shunko was a firm but influential teacher. Shunko is credited with the creation of “big head” okubi-e portraiture. He began to experiment with this format in 1780, depicting each actor’s face and upper chest. He later explored the concept further with a similar series in the oban size. These works are commonly considered the forerunners to the okubi-e of the mid-1790s. In his early 40s, Shunko suffered a stroke and lost use of his right side. Though he stopped printing at this time, he continued his career as a painter, working with his left hand and signing his work “go sahitsusai” or “studio of the left brush.”
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.
7 Products
Shunko
Kabuki Actors Nakayama Tomisaburo I and Ichikawa Danjuro V
JP-208357
Shunko
Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Medicine Peddler
JP-111372
Shunko
Kabuki Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Matsuomaru
JPR1-43937
Shunko
Onogawa Saisuke aka Onogawa Kisaburo the 5th Yokozuna
JPR1-75967