Katsukawa Sunsho : portrait of a poet

Katsukawa Shunshō, a prominent 18th-century Japanese ukiyo-e artist, is best known for his portraits of kabuki actors and historical figures. In his One Hundred Poets series, Shunshō captures the likeness of celebrated poets from Japanese literary history.

This particular portrait, Portrait of a Poet, reflects the artist’s refined attention to detail and mastery of traditional Japanese woodblock techniques. Each figure is imbued with a sense of dignity and cultural significance, highlighting the deep connection between art and poetry in Edo-period Japan.