Katsukawa Shunko

Katsukawa Shunko was a Japanese artist specializing in the creation of ukiyo-e woodblock prints, primarily focused on the genre of yakusha-e (actor portraits). While an early period of activity is sometimes cited between 1764 and 1771, documentation of his prints confirms his involvement with the Kabuki theater scene at least through 1775.

Shunko’s work captures specific, dated performances and prominent actors of the era, offering historical insights into contemporary Japanese theater. For example, his documented output includes The Actor Otani Hiroemon III as Osada no Zenjo Kagemune, performed in 1772, and The Actor Ichikawa Yaozo II as the Boatman Jirosaku in the Play Oyafune Taiheiki, dating from 1775. Further works, such as The Actors Ichikawa Raizo II as Kojiro Masahira (right) and Ichikawa Danzo IV as Doi no Yataro (left), solidify his position as a prolific chronicler of the stage.

Fifteen of Katsukawa Shunko’s prints are currently represented in institutional databases, establishing his artistic legacy. These museum-quality works are held in notable collections, including the Art Institute of Chicago. The preservation of these high-quality prints means that much of his artistry is now entering the public domain, allowing for downloadable artwork and distribution as free art prints.

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

80 works in collection

Works in Collection

The Actor Ichimura Uzaemon IX as Araoka Hachiro in the Play Sakimasu ya Ume no Kachidoki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1778

Katsukawa Shunko

1773–1783

The Actor Nakamura Nakazo I as Ippei (?) in the Play Koi Nyobo Somewake Tazuna (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Eighth Month, 1778 (?)

Katsukawa Shunko

1773–1783

The Actor Nakamura Riko I as Moshio (?) in the Play Honda Yayoi Meoto Junrei (?), Performed at the Ichimura Theater (?) in the Seventh Month, 1778 (?)

Katsukawa Shunko

1773–1783

The Actor Yoshizawa Ayame IV as Yadorigi, the Sister of Nikaido Shinanosuke, Disguised as Orie, the Wife of Aoto Magosaburo, in Part Two of the Play Motomishi Yuki Sakae Hachi no Ki (Looking up at Falling Snow: Thriving Potted Trees), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Eleventh Month, 1778

Katsukawa Shunko

1773–1783

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kazusa no Akushichibyoe Kagekiyo Disguised as a Blind Court Musician (Kengyo) in the Play Edo Meisho Midori Soga, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Fourth Month, 1779

Katsukawa Shunko

1774–1784

The Actor Nakamura Sukegoro II in an Unidentified Role

Katsukawa Shunko

1774–1784

The Actor Nakamura Tomijuro I as a courtesan (right) and Sawamura Sojuro III as Oyamada Taro (?) disguised as Tarosaku of Oyamada Village (left) in the play "Azuma no Mori Sakae Kusunoki," performed at the Ichimura Theater in the eleventh month, 1779

Katsukawa Shunko

1774–1784

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Oshichi in the Play Junshoku Edo Murasaki, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the First Month, 1779

Katsukawa Shunko

1774–1784

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III in an Unidentified Role

Katsukawa Shunko

1774–1784

The Actor Yamashita Kinsaku II as Lady Kikusui (Kikusui Gozen) in the Play Kaeribana Eiyu Taiheiki, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1779

Katsukawa Shunko

1774–1784

The Actors Iwai Hanshiro IV as Okume (right), and Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Koshiba Yukienojo Disguised as the Eboshi Seller Rokusaburo (left), in the Play Katakiuchi Adana Kashiku, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Seventh Month, 1779

Katsukawa Shunko

1774–1784

Half-Length Portrait of the Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kazusa no Gorobei Tadamitsu in Act Three of the play Kitekaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka (Returning Home in Splendor), Performed at the Nakamura Theater from the First Day of the Eleventh Month, 1780

Katsukawa Shunko

1775–1785

Right-Hand Page: The Actors Bando Hikosaburo III as Soga no Goro (right), and Segawa Kikunojo IV as Onna Asahina (left), in the Play Ume-goyomi Akebono Soga; Left-hand Sheet: The Actors Onoe Matsusuke I as Furugori Shinzaemon (left), and Ichikawa Danjuro V and Kagekiyo (right) in the Play Hatsumombi Kuruwa Soga, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the First Month, 1780

Katsukawa Shunko

1775–1785

The Actor Bando Mitsugoro I as Ogata no Saburo Disguised as Yoroya Takiemon in the Play Mure Takamatsu Yuki no Shirahata, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1780

Katsukawa Shunko

1775–1785

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Enya Hangan (?) in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Nagori no Kura (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Ninth Month, 1780 (?)

Katsukawa Shunko

1775–1785

The Actor Ichikawa Danjuro V as Taira no Munekiyo (?) from the Play Kitekaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka (?), Performed at the Nakamura Theater (?) in the Eleventh Month, 1780 (?)

Katsukawa Shunko

1775–1785

The Actor Ichikawa Danzo IV as Shutokuin in the Play Tokimekuya O-Edo no Hatsuyuki, Performed at the Morita Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1780

Katsukawa Shunko

1775–1785

The Actor Ichikawa Monnosuke II as Hayano Kampei in the Play Kanadehon Chushin Najori no Kura, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Ninth Month, 1780

Katsukawa Shunko

1775–1785

The Actor Segawa Kikunojo III as Otora in the Play Ume-goyomi Akebono Soga, Performed at the Ichimura Theater in the Third Month, 1780

Katsukawa Shunko

1775–1785

The Actor Yamashita Mangiku I as Osan in the Play Kitekaeru Nishiki no Wakayaka, Performed at the Nakamura Theater in the Eleventh Month, 1780

Katsukawa Shunko

1775–1785