Koho Shoda (1871-1946)

Shoda Koho, a Japanese artist born in Kanda, Tokyo, and believed to have lived between 1871 and 1946, was a significant figure in the shin hanga ("New Prints") movement, which blended traditional Japanese techniques with European Impressionism. The movement often focused on landscapes, women, and nature, themes prevalent in Koho's work. After studying historical portraits and bijin-ga under Ogata Gekko and working as an illustrator for Chuo Shimbun, Koho gained recognition early in his career, earning accolades at major art exhibitions in the 1890s. His association with Hasegawa/Nishinomiya Publishing led to a prolific output of prints, book illustrations, and calendars, notably contributing to series such as Hasegawa’s "Night Scenes" and "Japanese Scenes on Tanzaku." Koho's life remains partly enshrouded in mystery, with discrepancies regarding the exact dates of his life.