Nishimura Shigenobu

Nishimura Shigenobu is generally regarded as the early name of Ichikawa Toyonobu. Since the matter is still open to further study, this database will continue to consider the two masters separately. Indeed, Richard Lane (Images, p. 86) attributes the identification to “clever” scholars, and suggests that the theory is doubtful. Nishimura Shigenobu’s art follows the style of his teacher, Nishimura Shigenaga, during the 1730s and early 1740s. It is quite different from the art signed Toyonobu in the 1740s. The Michener Collection is represented by four prints dated to the 1730s.

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This is generally considered to be the early name of Ishikawa Toyonobu, but the matter is still open to further study (see Ishikawa Toyonobu, p. __ ).

SUMMARY: At one time this artist was thought to be the same as Ishikawa Toyonobu, the name Shigenobu being an early alias. The matter is a difficult one to settle and there are many who leave the question open to serious doubt. In any event, his style seems close to that of his teacher Nishimura Shigenaga during the 1730s and early 1740s while prints signed Toyonobu appearing in the 1740s show an entirely different style. Our print signed Shigenobu may be relevant to this problem, for another version signed Toyonobu survives. Most writers today treat the artists separately until new evidence comes to light.

Research by: Howard A. Link.