An early and extremely rare Hokusai kabuki portrait of the actor in an oiran role. Signed Shunro. This is an Edo print circa 1790's.
Katsushika Hokusai was born in Edo, in 1760, apparently the son of an artisan. Hokusai
is one of the great masters of Japanese woodblock print and one of the great
creative and innovative genius of all time. Being the best known of Japanese
artists, and having had a profound influence in western art (and in particular
in the Impressionists), he is however very "unJapanese" in his
character and in his work.
He worked for a very long time and, characteristically, was at his best by
the end of his years. His career started when he become an apprentice as an
engraver when he was fourteen. At eighteen he entered the studio of Katsukawa
Shunsho, an important artist of theatrical prints. One year after he published
his first works, actor prints, under the name Shunro.
Hokusai produced good prints in the 1780s, under the influence of Shigemasa
and Kiyonaga.
Works from this period are signed Katsukawa Shunro, Katsu Shunro or
simply Shunro in honor of Hokusai's master. Kusamura Shunro and Shunro aratame Gunbatei, and Gunbatei are other names used during this period. Hokusai made his ukiyo-e debut with Chinese characters "Shun" and "Ro" which were bestowed upon the young artist. The first major works were the hosoban format actor prints followed by a series of kibyoshi and share-hon
illustrations. During the same period, Hokusai eventually estranged
from the Katsukawa School and began showing more individuality.
Hosoban tate-e
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Monday, September 14, 2015
Nakamura Utaemon by Shunkosai Hokushu
Against a checkered yellow background the actor stands
displaying an embossed design of Benten amid flames on his chest and
arms, and holding a large sword behind his back.
Oban tate-e 1820
Published by Yamaichi and Tenki
Shunkosai Hokushu is an early ukiyo-e artist from the Osaka School. The Osaka School is used as a term for printmakers from Osaka, in contrast to those in Edo (Tokyo). The Osaka School concentrated on actor prints and developed a style of its own.
Oban tate-e 1820
Published by Yamaichi and Tenki
Shunkosai Hokushu is an early ukiyo-e artist from the Osaka School. The Osaka School is used as a term for printmakers from Osaka, in contrast to those in Edo (Tokyo). The Osaka School concentrated on actor prints and developed a style of its own.
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