Kanō Shōei (1519-1592) was a Japanese painter associated with the Kanō school, one of the most enduring painting traditions in Japan. His life fell entirely within the sixteenth century, and his importance lies in his place within a tradition that continued for generations.
The surviving information about his career is limited. He is linked to the Kanō school, in which he worked as a painter, and his recorded pupil is Kanō Naizen. With the available data it is not possible to reconstruct his works or his training in detail, so any precise claim about his style would be speculative.
His legacy is best seen through the transmission of his school. His teaching relationship with Kanō Naizen is the clearest evidence of his direct influence on later painting.
Teachers and pupils
Pupils
- Kanō Naizen 1570–1616