SHUNRO Period
1779 - 1794

Works from this period are signed Katsukawa Shunro, Katsu Shunro or simply Shunro in honor of Hokusai's master. Kusamura Shunro and Shunro aratame Gunbatei, and Gunbatei are other names used during this period. Hokusai made his ukiyo-e debut with Chinese characters "Shun" and "Ro" which were bestowed upon the young artist. The first major works were the hosoban format actor prints followed by a series of kibyoshi and share-hon illustrations. During the same period, Hokusai eventually estranged from the Katsukawa School and began showing more individuality.


1779 An-ei 8 20 Began publishing works under the name of Katsukawa Shunro.
Kibyoshi and share-hon had become popular.
1780 An-ei 9 21 SHIRAI GONPACHI BANZUI CHOBEI MEGURO NO HIYOKU-ZUKA The Lore Mound of Meguro, kibyoshi text anonymous, illustrations signed Katsukawa Shunro.
1781 Tenmei 1 22 First prints for share-hon, hanashi-bon.
Grand sumo at Honjo Ekoin received unprecedented acclaim.
1785 Tenmei 5 26 Temporarily adopted art name Gunbatei.
EDO UMARE UWAKI NO KABAYAKI, kibyoshi text and illustrations by Santo Kyoden.
1786 Tenmei 6 27 WAGA IE RAKU NO KAMAKURA-YAMA Our Happy Home at Mt.Kamakura, kibyoshi text anonymous, illustrations signed Gunbatei.
TSUGEN SOMAGAKI, share-hon text and illustrations by Santo Kyoden.
1790 Kansei 2 31 KOMAGUMI DOKANSHO Guide to Placing the Pieces, shogi-bon. Illustration of a disciplinary tale of Mencuis' mother (from Chinese legend) on the overleaf.
Kansei Reforms: foreign studies banned, tougher restrictions for publishing.
1791 Kansei 3 32 Tsutaya published actor prints.
Santo Kyoden chained for fifty days, and half of Tsutaya Juzaburo's possesions taken away as punishment.
1792 Kansei 4 33 December 8, death of Hokusai's master Katsukawa Shunsho at age 67.
Torii Kiyonaga and Kitagawa Utamaro became increasingly popular as bijin-ga illustrators from periods of Tenmei through Kansei (1781 - 1801).
1793 Kansei 5 34 CHIE SHIDAI HAKONEZUME Keeping Ones Wits at Hakone, kibyoshi text by Harumichi-no Kusaki, illustrations signed Shunro.


*Click image for a further enlargement of this work.
Daikokuya Kodayu, who landed in Russia when his ship capsized, returned to Japan and met the shogun.
1794 Kansei 6 35 said to have adopted a new art name Tawaraya Sori.
Sharaku's works printed by publisher Tsutaya Juzaburo through the following year.

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