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Katsukawa Shun'ei

1762 – 1819

Japanese painter

Painter Ukiyo-e artistXylographer
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About Katsukawa Shun'ei

Lived 1762 – 1819 (aged 56–57). Katsukawa Shun'ei was a Japanese painter, ukiyo-e artist, xylographer and illustrator.

Katsukawa Shun'ei (; 1762 – 13 December 1819) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist.

Shun'ei's real surname was Isoda , and his father was a landlord named Isoda Jirōbei .

Shun'ei belonged to the Katsukawa school of artists; his earliest work dates to 1778. He designed mainly yakusha-e portraits of kabuki actors, and began producing ōkubi-e bust portraits as early as 1791. Together with Toyokuni I he illustrated the five-volume kabuki guide called Shibai kinmō zue ("Illustrated Guide to the Theatre") by Shikitei Sanba. He also made musha-e warrior prints and prints of sumo wrestlers. In he took over as head from his teacher, Shunshō. His most prominent students were and Katsukawa Shunsen. Shun'ei and several other artists, including Utamaro and Toyokuni, were jailed and manacled for 50 days in 1804 for producing prints depicting Toyotomi Hideyoshi based on the Ehon taikōki ("Illustrated Chronicles of the Regent").

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Important facts

Born
1762, Tokyo
Birth century
Died
1819
Nationality
Also known as
Isoda Shunei, Isoda Hisajirō, Katsukawa Shun-ei, Kyūtokusai, Shun'ei Katsukawa, Shunei Katsukawa
moreKatsukawa Shunei

People in Katsukawa Shun'ei's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Katsukawa Shun'ei's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Katsukawa Shun'ei?

Japanese painter (1762-1819)

When was Katsukawa Shun'ei born?

Katsukawa Shun'ei was born in 1762 in Tokyo.

When did Katsukawa Shun'ei die?

Katsukawa Shun'ei died in 1819.

What was Katsukawa Shun'ei's occupation?

Katsukawa Shun'ei was a painter, ukiyo-e artist, xylographer and illustrator.

What nationality was Katsukawa Shun'ei?

Katsukawa Shun'ei was Japanese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Katsukawa Shun'ei

· Wikidata: Q3194229

· DBpedia: Katsukawa Shun'ei

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Katsukawa Shun'ei. https://biography.guide/katsukawa-shun-ei/

MLA: "Katsukawa Shun'ei." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/katsukawa-shun-ei/.

Chicago: "Katsukawa Shun'ei." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/katsukawa-shun-ei/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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