Katsukawa Shun'ei

Place: Edo

Born: 1762

Death: 1819

Biography:

Katsukawa Shun'ei was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist, born in 1762 and passed away on December 13, 1819. His real surname was Isoda (磯田), and his father was a landlord named Isoda Jirōbei (磯田 次郎兵衛). Shun'ei belonged to the Katsukawa school of artists, with his earliest work dating back to 1778.

Early Life and Career

Shun'ei's artistic career began in the late 18th century, during which he designed mainly yakusha-e portraits of kabuki actors. He also started producing ōkubi-e bust portraits as early as 1791. Together with Toyokuni I, he illustrated the five-volume kabuki guide called Shibai kinmō zue ('Illustrated Guide to The Theatre') by Shikitei Sanba. Additionally, Shun'ei made musha-e warrior prints and prints of sumo wrestlers.

Artistic Style and Techniques

As a ukiyo-e artist, Shun'ei's work was characterized by the use of woodblock prints and paintings. The production process involved several specialists: the artist who designed the prints, the carver who cut the woodblocks, the printer who inked and pressed the blocks onto handmade paper, and the publisher who financed, promoted, and distributed the works. Shun'ei's skilled printers were able to achieve labor-intensive techniques such as blending or gradation of colors on the printing block.

Notable Works and Legacy

Shun'ei took over as head from his teacher Shunshō around 1800. His most prominent students were Katsukawa Shuntei and Katsukawa Shunsen. In 1804, Shun'ei and several other artists, including Utamaro and Toyokuni, were jailed and manacled for 50 days for producing prints depicting Toyotomi Hideyoshi based on the Ehon taikōki ('Illustrated Chronicles of The Regent'). Ukiyo-e art movement was central to forming the West's perception of Japanese art in the late 19th century, particularly the landscapes of Hokusai. Shun'ei's work is a prime example of this genre, which flourished from the 17th through 19th centuries. The term ukiyo-e (浮世絵) translates to 'picture[s] of the floating world', reflecting the hedonistic lifestyle of Japan's Edo period (1603–1868).

• Visit https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/O/A@D3CPNT for more information on The Ukiyo-e Art Movement.
• Explore https://Wikioo.org/@/Katsukawa-Shun'ei to learn more about Katsukawa Shun'ei's life and work.
• Check out https://Wikioo.org/Art.nsf/Museum for a collection of ukiyo-e art pieces, including works by Shun'ei and other notable artists.

Shun'ei's legacy as a Japanese ukiyo-e artist continues to be celebrated through his contributions to the genre. His work remains an important part of Japan's cultural heritage, and his influence can still be seen in modern art today.