Katsukawa Shunshô (勝川春章)

Katsukawa Shunshô (勝川春章) was an artist whose recorded activity spans the period 1600 through 1726. His known output, represented across major American institutions, consists of both prints and paintings, reflecting a key period in Japanese visual culture.

The artist’s work demonstrates a specialization in figural representations, often depicting theatrical subjects and individual actor portraits. Database records account for 11 prints and four Katsukawa Shunshô (勝川春章) paintings preserved in museum collections. Notable works include Woman in a Black Kimono, a significant example of his figurative style, and studies focused on performance, such as Ichikawa Danjuro V as Kudo Suketsune, Richly Attired, Leaning on His Sword. Additional documented pieces include Ikunojo III as Chiyosaki Striking the Chozubachi; a Shower of Gold Coin Flies and the drama-focused Chuban of the Chushingura Drama.

The credibility of Katsukawa Shunshô’s historical contributions is affirmed by the placement of his works in permanent collections, including the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The accessibility of these important works is expanding, often available as high-quality prints and downloadable artwork. Many of these historical images are in the public domain, allowing institutions to provide museum-quality reproductions of Katsukawa Shunshô (勝川春章) prints for scholarly research and appreciation.