Itō Shinsui: Modern print master
Staff | Asian Art Newspaper | 26th May 2021
Starting work at a print factory at 10, Shinsui rapidly became famous for his woodblock prints. His best works combine technical excellence with western techniques like perspective and lighting. Hugely popular abroad, at home it was more a case of honoured. He had helped printmaking survive and his bijinga (images of beautiful women) brought a contemporary feel to ukiyo-e, the traditional artistic contemplation of life’s worldly pleasures.