Katsukawa Shunjo

Katsukawa Shunjo was a printmaker active during the late 18th century, with his documented creative period spanning the years 1775 through 1781. His known output consists primarily of theatrical portraits, focusing on contemporary actors and specific Kabuki performances.

The majority of his surviving compositions are detailed actor prints (yakusha-e) illustrating specific roles performed at major theaters in Edo. Fifteen of Katsukawa Shunjo’s prints are currently represented in museum collections, confirming his importance within this specialized genre of printmaking. These works provide documentation of performances at venues such as the Ichimura Theater and the Nakamura Theater during the years 1780 and 1781.

Specific pieces include The Actor Matusmto Koshiro IV as Ise no Saburo Disguised as Mizoro no Sabu (1780) and multiple portraits of Iwai Hanshiro IV in the Hanagasa Dance, performed in 1781. Shunjo also documented Segawa Kikunojo III in two separate roles, Onatsu and Shinanoya Ohan, from the 1781 production of Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga.

Many Katsukawa Shunjo prints are preserved in museum-quality condition, establishing a factual record of the period’s theatrical culture. Today, examples of his high-quality prints are held in prestigious North American institutions, including the Art Institute of Chicago. As these historic works age, many enter the public domain, making downloadable artwork widely available for study.

15 works in collection

Works in Collection

The Actor Matusmto Koshiro IV as Ise no Saburo Disguised as Mizoro no Sabu in the Play Mure Takamatsu Yuki no Shirahata, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1780

Katsukawa Shunjo

1775–1785

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV in the Hanagasa Dance in the Play Iromi-gusa Shiki no Somewake, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Ninth Month, 1781

Katsukawa Shunjo

1776–1786

The Actor Iwai Hanshiro IV in the Hanagasa Dance in the Play Iromi-gusa Shiki no Somewake, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Ninth Month, 1781

Katsukawa Shunjo

1776–1786

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Onatsu in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Third Month, 1781

Katsukawa Shunjo

1776–1786

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Shinanoya Ohan in the Play Kabuki no Hana Bandai Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Third Month, 1781

Katsukawa Shunjo

1776–1786

The Actor Matsumoto Koshiro IV as Sukeroku in the Play Sukeroku Yukari no Edo-zakura, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Sixth Month, 1782

Katsukawa Shunjo

1777–1787

The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Osen of the Komatsuya House (?) in the Play Nanakusa Yosooi Soga (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Second Month, 1782 (?)

Katsukawa Shunjo

1777–1787

The Actor Yamashita Mangiku I as Kewaizaka no Shosho in the Play Nanakusa Yosooi Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1782

Katsukawa Shunjo

1777–1787

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Akushichibyoe Kagekiyo (?)

Katsukawa Shunjo

1778–1789

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kazusa no Akushichibyoe Kagekiyo in the Play Edo no Hana Mimasu Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1783

Katsukawa Shunjo

1778–1788

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke III as the Sumo Wrestler Shirafuji Genta in the Play Edo no Hana Mimasu Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Third Month, 1783

Katsukawa Shunjo

1778–1788

The Actor Sawamura Sojuro III as Soga no Juro Sukenari in the Play Edo no Hana Mimasu Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1783

Katsukawa Shunjo

1778–1788

The Actors Nakamura Nakazo I as Tenjiku Tokubei (?) (right) and Bando Kumajuro as the Shopman Dempachi (?) (left), in the Play Keisei Katabira ga Tsuji (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1783 (?)

Katsukawa Shunjo

1778–1788

The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Lady Manko (Manko Gozen) (?) in the Play Soga Musume Choja (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the First Month, 1784 (?)

Katsukawa Shunjo

1779–1789

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Lady Tomoe (Tomoe Gozen) in the Play Onna Musha Kiku no Sen'yoki, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1786

Katsukawa Shunjo

1781–1791