Shōtei Hokuju (昇亭北寿)

Shōtei Hokuju (昇亭北寿) was a Japanese print artist active primarily during the early decades of the nineteenth century, with documented work dating between 1800 and 1820. His known output focuses heavily on landscape and topographical views, often depicting famous scenic locations and urban architectural sites.

The artist’s work is notable for incorporating elements of Western perspective and style, as exemplified by the print Shore Scene Showing European Influence. This integration of techniques was characteristic of certain Japanese printmakers during the period, bridging traditional aesthetic approaches with external influences.

Six Shōtei Hokuju (昇亭北寿) prints are currently represented in major American institutions, establishing his presence in historical collections. His work is held by both the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Key landscape studies among these museum-quality holdings include two versions of View of Futami Beach at Ise, as well as detailed cityscapes such as View of Ochanomizu in the Eastern Capital and View of Ryogoku Bridge in the Eastern Capital. The existence of these documented Shōtei Hokuju (昇亭北寿) prints ensures that these historical visual records are preserved. As many of these early nineteenth-century works reside in the public domain, high-quality prints and downloadable artwork are often made available through museum digital initiatives.