Early Life and Artistic Foundations Andō Kichirō, known later as Shiba Kōkan, emerged into the vibrant artistic landscape of Edo-period Japan in 1747. Born in Edo (modern Tokyo), his initial training followed the established path of the Kanō school, a prominent institution steeped in Chinese aesthetic traditions and formal techniques. However, this conventional apprenticeship proved short-lived; after six years, Kichirō felt constrained by its rigid structure and sought alternative avenues for artistic expression. This early departure signaled a restless spirit and a burgeoning desire to for…