Takahashi Hiroaki/Komei (1871-1945) was born in Tokyo. Family name Katsutaro. Artist names Shotei, Komei or Hiroaki. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, he worked at the design section in the Imperial Household Agency. Studied nihonga under his uncle Matsumoto Fuko. Participated in the organization of the Seinen Kaiga Kyokai ('Young Artist Society') in 1889. Illustrated textbooks and novels in the newspapers. Many prints intended for export and signed Shotei were published by Maehane-shoten. He also produced many designs for Watanabe from the early Taisho period onwards. Source: Newland, A.R., The Female Image, Hotei Publishing, 2000