Ōoka Shunboku

Who is Ōoka Shunboku?

Ōoka Shunboku was an ukiyo-e artist and painter who was known for his bird and flower paintings. Shunboku was born in the Kansai region, and lived most of his professional life in Osaka.

Throughout his career Shunboku engraved reproductions of old masters, such as early exponents of the Kanō school. From the late 1710s until shortly before his death, he reproduced numerous paintings for various books. One of these anthologies is Ehon tekagami, an e-hon in which Shunboku attempts to demonstrate the characteristic style of each artist. His notes and citations preserve some otherwise obscure works, and the names of their creators. His efforts helped propagate classic paintings throughout Japan.

Shunboku edited Mincho shiken, a two-volume illustrated album printed in colour by Shibukawa Seiemon et al.