The Pilgrim - Shun'ei Katsukawa

Ichikawa Danjuro by night, in the role of rokuju-rokubu, or pilgrim to the sixty six  Buddhist Shrines in as many provinces. He wears a portable shrine on his back and holds a shakujo staff in his hands with a mokugyo attached to his waistband. A fine and famous design. cir 1780

 Ukiyo-e painter, print maker (1762 - 1819). A man of diverse interests: musician, a devotee of the theatre, a painter of witty sketches and caricatures. Lived in Edo. Brilliant pupil of Katsukawa Shunsho, whose surname he adopted. Specialized in actor prints and scenes from plays, giving an individual and at times biting characterization to his portraits. May have started the fashion for okudi-e of actors, though many critics credit Shunko with this innovation.At his best from 1791 to 1795, influencing both Sharaku and Toyokuni. Also illustrated books, including the seven volumes of Shibai Kimmo Zui (An Encyclopedia of the Theatre). By 1800 one of most prominent ukiyo-e figures and leader of the Katsukawa school.

Segawa Kikunojo by (Hokusai) Shunro

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