About the artist
Shuko Nakayama was a nihonga painter and print designer active during the early 20th century. Born in Tokyo in 1876, Shuko began his artistic education as a student of Toshikata Mizuno. In 1908, Shuko found a new mentor in the painter and Shin Hanga artist Shinsui Ito. Shuko’s known prints consist of bijin-ga (pictures of beautiful women) designed in the spirit of the Shin Hanga movement. In 1924, he contributed to the series New Ukiyo-e Beauties along with several other artists. Rendered in pastel colors and soft edges, Shuko’s beauties wear fashionable kimono in their half portraits. His year of death is unknown.