Nishimura Shigenaga (1697-1756) and Japanese art
Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
![](http://moderntokyotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Nishimura-Shigenaga-poet-moon.jpg)
Nishimura Shigenaga (1697-1756) was born in modern-day Tokyo during the Edo Period. Hence, while longing to become an artist, he taught himself the intricacies of art when time permitted.
Shigenaga ran a bookshop in the Kanda region of Tokyo before establishing his artistic credentials. The influence of Okumura Masanobu and Nishikawa Sukenobu blessed his art while he developed himself.
![](http://moderntokyotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Nishimura-Shigenaga-art-japan.jpg)
In the first art piece in this article, a poet is looking at the moon in the stillness of the night. One can imagine the poet in deep contemplation – similar to Shigenaga during his free time before becoming firmly established in the art scene of his day.
The British Museum reports, “Shigenaga was active in many fields: actor prints; landscape series such as ‘Eight Views of Kanazawa’ and ‘Eight Views of Lake Biwa’; classical themes; bird, flower and animal prints; historical prints; parody prints; perspective prints. However, he particularly excelled in prints of beautiful women, which have about them a warm amplitude.“
![](http://moderntokyotimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Nishimura-Shigenaga-mandarin-ducks.jpg)
Above are Mandarin Ducks by the edge of the river. One looks more assiduous – while the duck at the front seems happy with life. It is a delightful art piece by Shigenaga.
Shigenaga was blessed with a free artistic spirit. Hence, while some art is aimed at the economic angle, other is more experimental. Overall, a delightful artist who produced lovely art in the early to middle of the eighteenth century.
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