About The Artist

Born in Asakusa district of Toyko. Original name Takahashi Katsutaro; used the art name Shotei 1907-1922, Hiroaki or Komei after 1922. Studied Japanese-style painting with his uncle Matsumoto Fuko. In 1891 with Terazaki Kogyo organized Japan Youth Painting Society (Nihon Seinen Kaiga Kyokai). Illustrated textbooks and newspaper novels. Began designing woodblocks for Watanabe Shozaburo for export in 1907 and produced about 500 prints before September 1923. The blocks for all were destroyed .....