Koho Shoda Elusive

Koho Shoda (1871-1946) or Kan Shoda, also sometimes identified as Hiroshima Koho, was born in Kanda, Tokyo in 1871, as the second son of Yasushi Shoda, a former vassal of the Shogunate, and died 1946. Perhaps. In the words of the art dealer Dieter Wanczura, Artelino, Koho Shoda is one of several shin hanga artists about whom surprisingly little is known.

Koho Shoda was a student of prominent woodblock print artist Ogata Gekko (1859 - 1920). Shoda became a disciple of Gekko after graduating middle school. He studied paintings of historical figures and beauties, before going on to create illustrations for the Chuo Shimbun newspaper. He also received awards from various exhibition shows and published prints through publisher Takejiro Hasegawa. However, after this run of successes he decided to leave the art world, turning his focus to poetry. He became an active member of both Kyoka and Kyoshi poetry styles.

Koho Shoda gained broader recognition when the collection of well-known art dealer and collector Robert O. Muller was made public after his death in 2003.

Koho Shodas works were published by Nishinomiya Yosaku. However, exact publication dates for these prints are generally unknown