Katsukawa SHUNCHO(Fl. c 1780-1801
Click here to view image full size.
The first sheet of a triptych showing travellers on a mountain path – possibly the Tokaido Road. Published by Eijudo (Nishimuraya Yohachi), c 1790. Other impressions in the MFA Boston, acc. no. 21.5953 and the BM, 1910, 0212, 0.439. Little is known of Shuncho’s life. He was a pupil of Shunsho and heavily influenced by Kiyonaga. Probably the greatest exponent of the triptych format and a master of the pillar print format.
Fine impression. Extremely good colour. Fine condition. Signed Shuncho ga.
Status: Available
Katsukawa SHUNCHO (Fl. c. 1780-1795)
Click here to view image full size.
A chuban print showing a group of beauties caught in a downpour on the banks of a river. The centre figure has an umbrella with the publisher’s name Izumi [ya Ichibei] and address Shiba Jinmeimae which was in front of Shiba Daijingu Shrine. One of a set Nana Komachi, “The Seven Komachi,” being episodes in the life of the famous waka poetess Ono no Komachi (c. 825-c. 900). Little is known of Shuncho’s life except that he was a pupil of Katsukawa Shunsho and was then heavily influenced by Kiyonaga. He produced some particularly fine triptychs and pillar prints. Published c. early 1790s.
Superb impression, colour and condition: As the day it was printed. Signed Shuncho ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNCHO (Fl. c 1780-1801)
Click here to view image full size.
An original painting showing a standing beauty inserting a hairpin. An important print artist who produced many fine diptychs and triptychs. Paintings by him are rare. Studied under Shunsho, then Kiyonaga and Shumman. Full colour on silk, 30.75 x 10.5 in; 78 x 26.5 cms. Signed Shien Shuncho with unread seals.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNCHO (Active 1780-1795)
Click here to view image full size.
A chuban print from a set of five designs: Imoseyama gomai tsuzuki, “Imoseyama, a Set of Five Prints.” Shows two court beauties and an attendant. Based on the Bunraku play Imoseyama onna teikin, “Husband and Wife Mountain: An Exemplary Tale of Womanly Virtue” which was performed for the first time in 1771. It was then adapted for the Kabuki theatre. The play is in five acts.
Very good impression, colour and condition. Signed Shuncho ga.
Status: Sold
Katsukawa SHUNCHO (Active c 1780–1795)
Click here to view image full size.
A double okubi-e showing the sumo wrestler Tanikaze juxtaposed to the oiran Okita. A superb composition. Of the utmost rarity: Another impression is illustrated in V. & I., 1911, no. 231, pl. LI, SCI/224. Impressions of the companion print, showing Onogawa and Takashima Ohisa are catalogued in Hillier, Japanese Prints & Drawings From The Vever Collection, Volume Two, Sothebys 1976, no. 519, p. 497; Tokyo National Museum, TNM, vol. 2, no. 1722, and British Museum ( illustrated Hillier, Japanese Masters of the Colour Print, 1954, pl. 56 ). Published by Tsuruki c 1792. Ex collection Walter von Scheven, 1878 – 1950, and bought by him from Heinrich Tiedemann, Berlin in 1927.
Very good impression and colour. Light yellow ground. Very minor soil, otherwise extremely good condition. Probably the best copy extant. Signed Shuncho ga.
Status: Sold