Katsukawa Shunshō: The Pioneer of Kabuki Portraiture Katsukawa Shunshō (勝川 春章; 1726 – 19 January 1793) stands as a monumental figure in Japanese art history, recognized primarily for his transformative contribution to the ukiyo-e genre and specifically for establishing the Katsukawa school. Born into a family of artists—his father, Miyagawa Chōshun, was equally celebrated—Shunshō’s artistic journey began under the tutelage of Miyaagwa…