Katsukawa Shunchō

Japanese, active c. 1781-1801

BiographyShunchö was a pupil of Katsukawa Shunshö, from whom he studied and mastered his splendid color harmonies. A leading artist of the Tenmei period, he fell under the spell of Kiyonaga producing prints in his style throughout his career and rarely deviating from this style. Other names used by Shunchö include Kichizaemon, Chüsinsha, Kichisadö, Shien, Töshen, Yübundö and Yushindö. There has not been a major study of this talented artist and no catalogue raisone of his surviving corpus. (HAL)

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(w. late 1770s to late 1790s)
Originally a pupil of Shushö, his greatest work follows the style of Kiyonaga, from which he seldom deviates. His work reveals a subtle sense of light, color and execution, as well as a certain softness and charm unknown to Kiyonaga or Utamaro.

Research by: Howard A. Link.

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