Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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An hosoban showing the actor Nakamura Utaemon I as a samurai in nagabakama and kamishimo ceremonial dress as worn during the Muromachi period (1336-1392). He holds a fan and a globe. Shunsho was the pre-eminent exponent of the hosoban format. Published c 1770.
Fine impression. Unusual blue ground found on a few Shunsho designs. Slight discolouration on verso showing through, otherwise good condition. Signed Shunsho ga with the jar-shaped (tsubo) seal.
Status: Available
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1793)
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The actor Otani Hiroji III as a samurai, one sword drawn and facing an adversary. Shunsho was the founder of the Katsukawa school and had many pupils (including Hokusai [Shunro]). He was a prolific designer of hosoban actor prints and produced some of the finest designs in this format. Published c 1775.
Fine impression. Very good colour. Fine condition. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Available
Katsukawa SHUNSHO ( 1726-1792 )
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An extremely important painting by one of the most important artists of his day. One of the great ukiyo-e print designers – especially of actor prints. He lived in Edo and first studied under Katsukawa Shunsui and Ko Sukoku. Little is known of his private life. He had many able pupils including Hokusai. The seal he used had Hayashi on the side of a jar ( tsubo ), hence he was called Tsubo. In 1776, together with Kitao Shigemasa, illustrated the famous book Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami. Also the Ehon butai ogi with Buncho in 1770.
This was one of the paintings chosen to be exhibited at the Isetan Department Store to commemorate the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. The exhibit arranged by The Mainichi Newspapers. A committee consisting of Mr. Seiichiro Takahashi, president of the Japan Art Academy, Mr. Issho Tanaka, director of the Tokyo National Cultural Assets Research Institute, Mr. Seiroku Noma, an historian, Mr. Muneshige Narasaki, chairman of the Ukiyoe Association, Mr. Sadao Kikuchi of the Tokyo National Museum, Mr. Teruji Yoshida, an Ukiyoe connoisseur, Mr. Fusui Kaneko, an Ukiyoe connoisseur, Mr. Yasunosuke Ogiwara, an Ukiyoe connoisseur, and other collectors vetted all the paintings and they represented the best that could be put together at the time. Full colour on silk including gold leaf. Exquisitly painted. Slightly creased otherwise in good condition. Double box with inscription in gold. Image size 39 x 12.5 in; 99 x 31.75 cms. Painted c 1781-9.
Signed Katsu Shunsho ga with seal. Ex collection Oda Eisaku, a famous art dealer and collector.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726?-1792)
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An original painting, sumi and full colour on silk, 32.25 x 10 in; 82 x 25.5 cms. An important print artist and his paintings being considered one of the glories of Ukiyo-e. Produced a considerable number of hosoban actor prints from the late 1760s on as well as collaborating on the Ehon butai ogi illustrated book with Buncho in 1770 and Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami with Kitao Shigemasa in 1776. He had many pupils including Shunko, Shun’ei and Hokusai. Shows a court beauty reclining and reading a book. The painting of the face, hair and the lacquer stand holding the cloth screen are exceptional. Painted c. 1789. In very good condition.
Signed Katsu Shunsho ga with seal Jui.
Status: Sold
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Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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A hosoban of the actor Otani Hiroji III in the role of a samurai, one sword drawn with the scabbard lying at his feet. Published c 1776.
Fine impression. Very good colour. Fine condition. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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An exceptional hosoban showing the actor Nakamura Tomijuro I in the role of a courtesan. Published c. 1771 and the influence of Harunobu can be seen. Probably the centre panel of a triptych.
Superb impression on thick hosho with the outlines of the figure in relief, similar to the best Harunobu prints of a few years earlier. Very fine unfaded colour. Fine condition. Signed Miyagawa Shunsho. (A signature I have not seen before: He did study under Miyagawa Shunsui early on.)
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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The actor Otani Hiroemon III in an unidentified role leaning forward with a sword in his mouth. Shunsho was a prolific designer of actor prints as well as views of the green room, wrestlers and bijin. He also collaborated with Kitao Shigemasa on the fine Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami of 1776. Published c 1770. Another (partially faded) impression is in the MFA Boston, 21.4148. A fine design.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Shunsho ga with Hayashi/tsubo seal.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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An hosoban showing the actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as a blacksmith forging a sword blade. An unidentified role published c. 1780.
Fine impression. Very good colour and condition. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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An hosoban showing the actor Otani Hiroji III wearing a red straw cape in the snow and holding aloft a crystal ball. An unidentified role published c. 1775. Evidently Hiroji was very popular with female theatre-goers.
Very good impression and colour. Minor soil and wear, otherwise very good condition. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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An hosoban showing the actor Iwai Hanshiro IV in an unidentified female role holding a letter beside a palanquin. What appears to be another version by Shunsho is in the Met, acc. number JP2783. Published c 1773.
Fine impression. Extremely good colour. Very good condition. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Sold
Kitao SHIGEMASA (1739-1820) and Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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Seiro bijin awase sugata kagami, Mirror of Beautiful Women of the Green Houses, published by Tsutaya Juzaburo, Anei 5, 1776. Complete in three volumes divided into Spring and Summer in volume 1 and Autumn and Winter in volume 2. Considered to be one of the great “choice” colour printed books. Very rare complete.
Lacking title slips. Light sumi affecting 2,5 designs. Minor fading and marks and repaired wormage but generally a very good example of this fine book.
Status: Sold
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Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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A chuban print from a set of three: Sanseki waka, “Three Evening Poems.” In this case interpreting a poem by Jakuren hoshi (1139-1202). The poem reads: Sabishisa wa / sono iro to shimo / nakarikeri / makitatsu yama no / aki no yugare, Loneliness / is not / any particular colour – / a mountain of black pines / on an autumn evening. The other two prints probably have poems by Teika and Saigyo. Shows beauties on a balcony admiring the pines in the distance. Published c. early 1770s. Ex collection Erik Holmberg. Rare.
Very good impression. Particularly good colour with pigments that have usually turned. Very good condition. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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The actors Ichimura Uzaemon IX and Bando Matatoro IV (hand-written in sumi) grappling together. Published c.1768. Not in Gookin.
Very good impression. Some fading. Wonderful blue ground. Very good condition. Signed Shunsho ga with Hayashi in jar-shaped outline seal.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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The actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kajiwara Genta. Published c early 1780s. Illustrated in T.N.M.C. vol.1, no. 1051. A night scene. The actor deploys an umbrella and holds a lantern with the other hand. Not listed by Gookin.
Very good impression and colour. Some oxidation. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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The actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Prince Koreakira, younger brother of Emperor Go-Toba, in the play Gohiiki Kanjincho performed at the Nakamura Theatre, 1/11/1773. This scene shows Nakazo as the evil prince about to be confronted by Kumai no Taro ( in this case Ichikawa Danjuro V ) in the Shibaraku scene. Ex collection H.R.W. Kuhne, sold Sothebys 11/6/1993, lot 62. Another impression from the Clarence Buckingham collection, ex Frank Lloyd Wright, is illustrated in the Actor’s Image, Clark & Ueda, 1994, no. 66, p. 196.
Very good impression, colour and condition. An exceptional hosoban with the motif on the white court robes blind printed: An extremely rare effect in the hosoban format. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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The actor Nakamura Tomijuro I in an unidentified female role holding a biwa (a lute-like musical instrument) underarm. Surprisingly not listed in The Life And Works Of Katsukawa Shunsho, Frederick William Gookin, which is the most comprehensive overview. Published c 1775/6.
Fine impression and colour. One small repaired wormhole, otherwise exceptional condition. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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An excessively rare wide hashira-e ( 27.5 x 6.5 in.; 70 x 16.5 cms. ) showing a full length courtesan. The only other impression ( heavily trimmed ) I can locate is illustrated in an unpublished manuscript by Frederick William Gookin, The Life And Works of Katsukawa Shunsho, from the Clarence Buckingham collection ( C.B. AI 7 ). Published c late 1750s. No publisher’s seal.
Very good impression. Probable fading but with nothing to compare with ( the illustration in Gookin is a poor b.& w. image ) it’s difficult to tell. Slight weakening along laid lines ( as per usual ) and some slight marks. Generally very good condition considering size and date. Signed Shunsho ga.
Status: Sold
Attributed to Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726–1792)
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The actor Ichikawa Danjuro V possibly as Moriya no Daijin disguised as Rokuju-rokubu in the play Miya-bashira iwao no butai, performed at the Morita 7/1773. Ex collection Walter von Scheven, 1878 – 1950, and bought by him from Aoyama, Paris in 1929.
Fine impression, colour and condition. Unsigned.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNSHO (1726-1792)
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The actors Ichikawa Yaozo II as the samurai Gunsuke, a retainer of the Yoshida family, and Nakamura Nakazo I as Hitokai Sota in a play performed at the Nakamura Theatre, spring 1770. Not listed by F.W. Gookin. Annotated top right by a fan of the theatre. A superb hosoban from Shunsho’s prime.
Very fine impression with the body outlines gauffraged. Fine colour and condition. Signed Shunsho ga with tsubo seal.
Status: Sold
Artists
( A to Z )
Kyogado ASHIKUNI ( Fl. c. 1807 – 1818 )
Gigado ASHIYUKI ( Fl. c. 1814 – 1833 )
Ki BAITEI ( 1734 – 1810 )
Takizawa BAKIN ( 1767 – 1848 )
Ono BAKUFU ( 1888 – 1976 )
Georges BIGOT ( 1860 – 1927 )
Kawamura BUMPO ( 1779 – 1821 )
Ippitsusai BUNCHO ( Fl. c. 1765 – 1792 )
Toyohara CHIKANOBU ( 1838 – 1912 )
Kishi CHIKUDO ( 1826 – 1897 )
Tsubaki CHINZAN ( 1801 – 1854 )
Eishosai CHOKI ( Fl. c. 1756 – 1808 ). See also SHIKO
Rekisentei EIRI ( Fl. c. 1790 – 1800 )
Keisai EISEN ( 1790 – 1848 )
Hosoda EISHI ( 1756 – 1829 )
Hosoda EISHO ( Fl. c. 1780 – 1800 )
Ichirakutei EISUI ( Fl. c. 1790 – 1823 )
Kikugawa EIZAN ( 1787 – 1867 )
Hirano HAKUHO ( 1879 – 1957 )
Elizabeth KEITH ( 1887 – 1956 )
Imao KEINEN ( 1845 – 1924 )
Yashima GAKUTEI ( 1786 – 1868 )
Ogata GEKKO ( 1859 – 1920 )
Adachi GINKO ( Fl. c. 1847 – 1897 )
Matsumura GOSHUN ( 1752 – 1811 )
GYOSAI. See Kawanabe KYOSAI
Hirano HAKUHO ( 1879 – 1957 )
Suzuki HARUNOBU ( 1724 – 1770 )
Kawase HASUI ( 1883 – 1957 )
Kitagawa HIDEMARO ( Fl. c. early 19th century )
Kinoshita HIRONOBU ( Fl. c. 1851 – 1870 )
Gosotei HIROSADA ( Fl. c. 1847 – 1863 )
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE ( 1797 – 1858 )
Ichiryusai HIROSHIGE II ( 1826 – 1869 )
Ando HIROSHIGE III ( 1843 – 1894 )
Nakamura HOCHU ( Fl. c. late 18th to early 19th century )
Sakai HOITSU ( 1761 – 1828 )
Totoya HOKKEI ( 1780 – 1850 )
Teisai HOKUBA ( 1771 – 1844 )
Shunkosai HOKUEI (Active 1824-1837)
Katsushika HOKUGA ( Fl. c. 1830 )
Shotei HOKUJU ( Fl. c. 1789 – 1818 )
Katsushika HOKUSAI ( 1760 – 1849 ). Also used numerous other names such as: SORI, SHUNRO, SHINSAI
Shokosai HOKUSHU ( Fl. c. 1808 – 1832 )
KEISAI. See Kitao MASAYOSHI
Suzuki KIITSU ( 1796 – 1858 )
Kitagawa KIKUMARO ( Fl. c. ? – 1830 ). See TSUKIMARO
Kobayashi KIYOCHIKA ( 1847 – 1915 )
Torii KIYOHIRO ( Fl. c. 1737 – 1771 )
Torii KIYOMASA ( Fl. c. 1700 – 1722 )
KIYOMINE. See Torii KIYOMITSU II
Torii KIYOMITSU ( 1735 – 1785 )
Torii KIYOMITSU II ( 1787 – 1868 ). See KIYOMINE
Torii KIYONAGA ( 1752 – 1815 )
Torii KIYONOBU ( 1664 – 1729 )
Torii KIYONOBU II ( 1706 – 1763 )
Torii KIYOTSUNE ( Fl. c. 1757 – 1779 )
Isoda KORYUSAI ( Fl. c. 1767 – 1788 )
Ohara KOSON ( 1877 – 1945 ). See SHOSON
Torii KOTONDO ( 1900 – 1976 )
Toyohara KUNICHIKA ( 1835 – 1900 )
Utagawa KUNIHIRO ( Fl. c. 1815 – 1843 )
Ichiunsai KUNIHISA ( 1832 – 1891 )
Utagawa KUNINAO ( 1793 – 1854 )
Utagawa KUNISADA ( 1786 – 1865 )
Utagawa KUNISADA II ( 1823 – 1880 )
Utagawa KUNISATO ( ? – 1858 )
Utagawa KUNITERU ( 1808 – 1876 )
KUNITERU. See Utagawa SADASHIGE
Utagawa KUNITERU II ( 1829 – 1874 )
Utagawa KUNIYASU ( 1794 – 1832 )
Ichiyusai KUNIYOSHI ( 1797 – 1861 )
Santo KYODEN. See Kitao MASANOBU
Kawanabe KYOSAI ( 1831 – 1889 ). See GYOSAI
Okumura MASANOBU ( 1686 – 1764 )
KitaoMASANOBU ( 1761 – 1816 ). See Santo KYODEN
Kitao MASAYOSHI ( 1764 – 1824 ). See KEISAI
Oishi MATORA ( 1794 – 1833 )
Hishikawa MORONOBU ( Fl. c. 1618 – 1694 )
Nishimura NANTEI ( 1775 – 1834 )
Utagawa NOBUKATSU ( Fl. c. 1830 – 1844 )
Watanabe NOBUKAZU ( Fl. c. late 19th century )
Hishikawa RYUKOKU ( Fl. c. 1808 – 1816 )
Jokei RYUKOSAI ( Fl. 1772 – 1816 )
Gokitei SADAFUSA ( Fl. c. 1825 – 1850 )
Hasegawa SADAHARU ( Fl. c. 1830 – 1844 )
Gokotei SADAKAGE ( Fl. c. 1818 – 1844 )
Utagawa SADAHIDE ( 1807 – 1873 )
Hasegawa SADANOBU ( 1809 – 1879 )
Utagawa SADASHIGE ( Fl. c. mid 19th century ). See KUNITERU
Gofutei SADATORA ( Fl. c. 1825 )
Yamaguchi SHIGEHARU ( 1803 – 1853 )
Kitao SHIGEMASA ( 1739 – 1820 )
Nishimura SHIGENAGA ( 1697 ? – 1756 )
Nishimura SHIGENOBU ( Fl. c. 1724 – 1735 )
SHIKO. See Eishosai CHOKI
Ryuryukyo SHINSAI ( 1764 – 1820 )
Ito SHINSUI ( 1898 – 1972 )
Kojima SHOGETSU ( Fl. c. 1880 – 1890 )
SHOSON. See Ohara KOSON
Takahashi SHOTEI ( 1871 – 1945 )
Yamamoto SHOUN ( 1870 – 1965 )
Yamakawa SHUHO ( 1898 – 1944 )
Katsukawa SHUNCHO ( Fl. c. 1780 – 1795 )
Takehara SHUNCHOSAI ( Fl. c. 1772 – 1801 )
Katsukawa SHUN’EI ( 1762 – 1819 )
Katsukawa SHUNKO ( 1743 – 1812 )
Hishikawa SHUNKYO ( Fl. c. early 19th century )
Kubo SHUNMAN ( 1757 – 1820 )
Katsukawa SHUNSEN ( Fl. c. 1762 – 1830 )
Natori SHUNSEN ( 1886 – 1960 )
Gatoken SHUNSHI ( Fl. c. 1820 – 1828 )
Katsukawa SHUNSHO ( 1726 – 1792 )
Katsukawa SHUNTEI ( 1770 – 1820 )
Katsukawa SHUNZAN ( Fl. c. 1782 – 1798 )
Yamaguchi SOKEN ( 1759 – 1834 )
Ikeno TAIGA ( 1723 – 1776 )
Katsukawa TERUSHIGE ( Fl. c. 1715 – 1725 )
Mori TETSUZAN (1775-1841)
Migita TOSHIHIDE ( 1863 – 1925 )
Mizuno TOSHIKATA ( 1866 – 1908 )
Okumura TOSHINOBU ( Fl. c. 1717 – 1750 )
Utagawa TOYOHARU ( 1735 – 1814 )
Utagawa TOYOHIRO ( 1773 – 1828 )
Utagawa TOYOKUNI ( 1769 – 1825 )
Utagawa TOYOKUNI II ( 1777 – 1835 ). See TOYOSHIGE
Yamamura TOYONARI ( 1885 – 1942 )
Ishikawa TOYONOBU ( 1711 – 1785 )
TOYOSHIGE. See Utagawa TOYOKUNI II
TSUKIMARO. See Kitagawa KIKUMARO
Kitano TSUNETOMI ( 1880 – 1947 )
Toyokawa UMEKUNI ( Fl. c. 1816 – 1826 )
Kitagawa UTAMARO ( 1753 – 1806 )
Kitagawa UTAMARO II ( ? – 1831 )
Inoue YASUJI ( 1864 – 1889 )
Hiroshi YOSHIDA ( 1876 – 1950 )
Ipposai YOSHIFUJI ( 1828 – 1887 )
Utagawa YOSHIIKU ( 1833 – 1904 )
Utagawa YOSHIKATA ( Fl. c. 1841 – 1864 )
Utagawa YOSHIKAZU ( Fl. c. 1850 – 1870 )
Toyokawa YOSHIKUNI ( Fl. c. 1803 – 1840 )
Utagawa YOSHIMUNE ( 1817 – 1880 )
Ichiyosai YOSHITAKI ( 1841 – 1899 )
Utagawa YOSHITORA ( Fl. c. 1850 – 1880 )
Taiso YOSHITOSHI ( 1839 – 1892 )
Utagawa YOSHITSURU ( Fl. c. 1840 – 1850 )
Ichieisai YOSHITSUYA ( 1822 – 1866 )
Mori YOSHIYUKI ( 1835 – 1879 )
Shibata ZESHIN ( 1807 – 1891 )