Early Osaka Portrait - Shunkyo

Pupil of Shunkôsai Hokushû; other biographical details unknown. Should not be confused with another artist signing "Shunkyô," active at the same time in Osaka, who used a different second character in his name.

 Seated on the edge of a stage, against a yellow ground the actor Arashi Kichisaburo II in character as Oda Harutaka, in the play Hiragadake Yukimi no Jindate, performed at the Kado Theatre. A very rare artist and print.

Published by  Shiocho circa 1814

The Looking Glass - Yashima Gakutei

A meticulously detailed brush drawing in sumi, on thin Japanese paper of an elaborately dressed courtesan wearing a kimono adorned with a leaping carp, admiring herself in a floor mirror. She is watched by a young farmer, still carrying his hoe. Circa 1862

Yashima Gakutei  was a Japanese artist and poet who was a pupil of both Hokkei and Hokusai. Gakutei is best known for his Kyōka poetry and surimono works.

 Gakutei was born in Osaka around 1786, though his exact year of birth is somewhat unclear. He was the illegitimate son of a samurai known as Hirata who served under the Tokugawa shogunate. Gakutei's mother later married into the Yashima clan, explaining the artist's name. For some time, he worked in Osaka, focusing chiefly on woodblock prints called surimono in addition to book illustrations. Most of what is known about Gakutei has been surmised from the subjects and context of his work.

Gakutei is noted for the quality in his wood printing works and for his general contributions to the body of ukiyo-e artwork. Specifically, critics have noted his technical prowess and precision, his skill in embossing, and that his specialization in surimono exceeded that of his teacher, Hokkei. Some of his work included a set of five woodblock prints featuring young women performing gagaku, a traditional kind of court music from the Heian period. Each woman plays an instrument: a reed called a shō, a woodwind called a ryūteki, a koto, a stringed instrument called a biwa, and a drum called a tsuri-daiko. Gakutei also illustrated an entire book called the Kyōka Suikoden related to the translated Chinese novel Suikoden. Gakutei also created landscapes and seascapes for books, which are rare pieces amongst Hokusai's pupils.
Gakutei is also known for his prolific writing; he wrote many humorous poems called kyōka and used them in his artwork and prints. Additionally, he was responsible for a Japanese translation of Journey to the West, for which he also completed illustrations.

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.

Osaka Surimono - Ashiyuki Gigado

A fine surimono of two Kamigata actors in character reading a hand scroll.

Gigadō Ashiyuki (戯画堂 芦幸^?) was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints in Osaka, who was active from about 1813 to 1833. He was a pupil of Asayama Ashikuni, and was also a haiku poet. Ashiyuki is best known for his ōban sized (about 14 by 10 inches or 36 by 25 centimeters), prints of kabuki actors, although he also illustrated books, and designed surimono.

Actors with Lantern - Shunbaisai Hokuei

From the play Honobonoto Ura no Asagiri the actors Iwai Shijaku I as Osuma no Kata and Bando Jutaro as Sesaya Hanbei. One of Hokuei's most elegant diptych designs, this contrasts a black background and eerie landscape with a dense heavily printed figures. See Schwaab -  Osaka Prints.
 Fine impression with use of silver and gold pigments. Poem in sky printed in silver.

Shunbaisai Hokuei who is also known as Shunkō III, was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints in Osaka who was active from about 1824 to 1837. He was a student of Shunkōsai Hokushū. Hokuei’s prints most often portray the kabuki actor Arashi Rikan II, and the quality of these designs and printing is remarkable. Hokuei died in 1837. Shunbaisai Hokuei should not be confused with Tōkōen Hokuei an early 19th century Edo (Tokyo) printmaker who is also commonly referred to as “Hokuei”

Theater print - Shunbaisai Hokuei

Spectacular theater print showing three actors in various roles. Shunbaisai Hokuei who is also known as Shunkō III, was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints in Osaka who was active from about 1824 to 1837. He was a student of Shunkōsai Hokushū. Hokuei’s prints most often portray the kabuki actor Arashi Rikan II, and the quality of these designs and printing is remarkable. Hokuei died in 1837. Shunbaisai Hokuei should not be confused with Tōkōen Hokuei an early 19th century Edo (Tokyo) printmaker who is also commonly referred to as “Hokuei”

Kabuki Duo : Sawamuras - Katsukawa Shunsen (ca 1800)

An early Katsukawa Shunsen actor portrait of great power and elegance. Left Sawamura Tozo I and right Sawamura Gennosuke I

Katsukawa Shunsen, who is also known as Shunkō II, was a designer of books and ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints. He was born in 1762 and designed prints from about 1805 to about 1821. He initially studied with the Rimpa school artist Tsutsumi Tōrin III. In 1806 or 1807, Shunsen became a student of Katsukawa Shun'ei, and changed his name from “Kojimachi Shunsen” to “Katsukawa Shunsen”. In 1820 he succeeded Katsukawa Shunkō I, becoming Katsukawa Shunkō II. In the late 1820s, he ceased producing woodblock prints and devoted himself to painting ceramics. He died about 1830.

Shunsen is best known for his genre scenes, landscapes, and prints of beautiful women.

Memorial Surimono: Arashi Koroku IV - Shunkōsai Hokushū 11.16.1826

Beneath a silvery moon, partially eclipsed by cloud, the actor Arashi Koroku IV, seated wearing elaborate robes, pauses in the composition of his farewell poem. This exquisite composition appears to be previously unknown. Hokushu designed two other shini-e for Koroku, but neither has the refined elegance displayed in this design.

Shunkōsai Hokushū , who is also known as Shunkō IV, was a designer of ukiyo-e style Japanese woodblock prints in Osaka who was active from about 1802 to 1832. He is known to have been a student of Shōkōsai Hambei, and may have also studied with Hokusai. He used the name Shunkō until 1818, when he changed his name to “Shunkōsai Hokushū”. He was the most important artist in Osaka during the 1810-20s and established the Osaka style of actor prints.

Farewell Performance - Umekuni Jugyodo

A print celebrating the retirement of Nakamura Tsurusuke. He changed his name to Nakamura Shikan in the 11th month 1825. He is depicted here in formal street attire with his tobacco pouch. A remarkable and imposing Osaka Print.

Umekuni Jugyodo, one of Jukodo Yoshikuni's circle of students of which only a half a dozen known compositions exist.