Bunchō

{{Distinguish|Tani Bunchō}}

{{Use Canadian English|date=June 2016}}

{{family name hatnote|Ippitsusai|lang=Japanese}}

Ippitsusai Bunchō ({{lang|ja|一筆斎文調}}, {{floruit|1755–1791}}) was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist,{{Cite web |title=Ippitsusai Bunchō {{!}} Ukiyo-e, Kabuki, Printmaker {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ippitsusai-Buncho |access-date=2023-12-21 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}} best known for his yakusha-e actor prints in narrow hosoban dimensions.{{sfn|Marks|2012|p=48}} Bunchō and Katsukawa Shunshō are credited with having developed kabuki actor portraiture focuses on producing likenesses of the subjects, rather than stereotyped faces.{{sfn|Japan Ukiyo-e Association|1982|p=120}}

Little is known about Bunchō's life. His birth surname was Mori, and he is believed to have studied painting under Ishikawa Yukimoto of the Kanō school.{{sfn|Marks|2012|p=48}}

The earliest known works attributed to Bunchō are the illustrations to Hachimonji Jishō II's Eiga asobi nidai otoko (1755). Between 1766 and 1774 he made a large number of actor prints in the narrow vertical hosoban dimensions. In 1770 he produced the three-volume Ehon butai ōgi ({{lang|ja|絵本舞台扇}}, "Picture-book of Stage Fans") with Katsukawa Shunshō, which depicts the leading kabuki actors of the day on ōgi hand fans; Bunchō handled the onnagata—male actors who portray female characters.{{sfn|Marks|2012|p=48}} It was popular and went through multiple printings.{{sfn|Fujisawa|2006|p=48}}

From 1769 he also made bijin-ga prints of female beauties that show the influence of Suzuki Harunobu.{{sfn|Marks|2012|p=48}} These became his major subject, and in the An'ei era (1772–81) no actor prints of his are known.{{sfn|Fujisawa|2006|p=48}}

Bunchō's last known work was an e-goyomi picture calendar from 1790. He had few students, one of whom was Kishi Bunshō (1754–96).{{sfn|Marks|2012|p=48}}

Acteur Matsumoto Koshiro III in de rol van Soga no Goro-Rijksmuseum RP-P-1956-703.jpeg|Matsumoto Koshiro III as Soga no Goro

Acteur Matsumoto Koshiro III in de vrouwenrol Asagao-Rijksmuseum RP-P-1956-701.jpeg|Matsumoto Koshiro as Asagao

Actor and Courtesan Parodying the Armor-Pulling Scene from the Story of the Soga Brothers LACMA M.2006.136.300.jpg|Actor and Courtesan Parodying the Armor-Pulling Scene from the Story of the Soga Brothers

Brooklyn Museum - An Actor of the Ichikawa School about to Draw His Sword - Ippitsusai Buncho.jpg|An Actor of the Ichikawa School about to Draw His Sword

Brooklyn Museum - The Toothbrush Shop Yanagi-ya - Ippitsusai Buncho.jpg|The Toothbrush Shop Yanagi-ya

Ichimura Uzaemon IX and Otani Hiroji III (1768).jpg|Ichimura Uzaemon IX and Otani Hiroji III

Ichimura Uzaemon X (1770).jpg|Ichimura Uzaemon X

Ippitsusai Buncho - Courtesan with a Dog.jpg|Courtesan with a Dog

Ippitsusai Buncho ukiyo-e woodblock print.jpg|