Tanaka Shutei

Tanaka Shutei was an artist documented as active during the mid-nineteenth century, with a documented working period spanning from 1810 to 1865. The artist is primarily known through a concise body of prints preserved in institutional collections.

Six of these compositions are represented in museum collections, confirming the artist’s engagement with detailed still life and animal studies. These works frequently depict natural subjects or traditional cultural motifs. Representative prints include detailed depictions of birds, such as two versions of Parrot and Bells and the related work Parrot and Fans. Other compositions focus on domestic or floral arrangements, exemplified by Incense Burner. Chrysanthemums, and Camellias, and the culturally significant motif of Rice-Pounding Rabbit.

Documentation confirms that Tanaka Shutei’s prints are preserved by the Art Institute of Chicago. The availability of such museum-quality works ensures that the artist’s output remains accessible for scholarly study and exhibition. Due to their age, many Tanaka Shutei prints are now entering the public domain, allowing institutions to provide access to high-quality prints and downloadable artwork for research purposes.