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Shuntei

1770–1824

Family name: Yamaguchi. Given name: Chōjūrō. Art surname: Katsukawa. Art names: Gibokuan, Shōkōsai, Shōkyūko, Suihō Itsujin.

Katsukawa Shuntei lived in Kanda Izumichō and he was a student of Katsukawa Shun’ei. His exact dates are not clear as some sources say that he passed away in 1820, while others say in 1824. Giving the fact that in 1821 and 1822 books were published with his illustrations, 1824 seems to be more likely.

His earliest extant works are actor prints from 1797/98 but actor prints did not ultimately become his strongpoint. Shuntei designed beauties, sumo wrestlers, and other genres, especially warrior prints. He eventually became

the forerunner for a new style of warrior print: illustrating entire battle scenes across all three sheets of an ōban- size triptych, a style which influenced future artists like Kuniyoshi.

In the fifth month of 1804, he was one of the artists who were manacled for fifty days for illustrating the events and identifiable figures from the Ehon Taikōki (Illustrated Chronicles of the Regent) in his prints. In the mid 1800s, Shuntei experimented with Western-style landscapes. He illustrated numerous books, produced some paintings, and also designed surimono.

1820 New Year’s celebration. Shikishiban. Library of Congress.

early 1820s P arody of the God Ebisu, from the series “Seven Gods of Good Fortune” (Shichifukujin) for the Hanagasaren poetry club. Shikishiban. Collection Erich Gross, Switzerland.

c.1797/98 The actors Segawa Kikunojō III and Ichikawa Yaozō III in unidentified roles. ōban. Publisher: Enomotoya Kichibei. Asian Art Museum, National Museums in Berlin.

1810s “Battle at the Nyoirin Hall in Washū" (Washū nyoirindō kassen). ōban triptych. Publisher: ōtaya Sakichi. Library of Congress. Iwakiri 1996, no. 5.22.

c.1813 The warrior Chinzei Hachirō Tametomo fights after the Battle of Ishiyama. ōban diptych. Publisher: ōtaya Sakichi. Library of Congress. Iwakiri 1996, fig. 51, no. 6.5.

c.1819-22 The warrior Fujiwara Hidesato (right) protecting the Dragonking’s daughter (center), battling the giant centipede with Fujiwara Sukune (left). ōban triptych. Publisher: Yamamotoya Heikichi. Library of Congress. Iwakiri 1996, fig. 48, no. 5.27.