Kitao Shigemasa

Birds and Iris

Kitao Shigemasa (北尾 重政, 1739 – 8 March 1820) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist from Edo. He was one of the leading printmakers of his day, but his works have been slightly obscure. He is noted for images of beautiful women (bijinga). He was taught by Shigenaga and has been referred to as "a chameleon" who adapted to changing styles. He was less active after the rise of Torii Kiyonaga and produced relatively few works considering the length of his career.[1] He is also noted for his haikai (poetry) and shodō (Japanese calligraphy). In his later years he used the studio name Kosuisai.[2]