Kubo Shunman was raised by an uncle in Kodenma-cho, Kamei-cho, Kanda and other places in Edo. After studying literature with Katori Uohiko, in the late 1770s he began studying art with Kitao Shigemasa. He adopted the name Shunman in 1782 at the death of Katori. His first print was published in 1779, using the name Kōzandō. From that point, he illustrated a number of kibyoshi cheap novels, then turned to prints of beauties in the Torii Kiyonaga style. Facing stiff competition in that area, he turned to surimono, where he excelled. He was known among benigiraie artists (red-hating), and excelled later in life at mad poetry (kyōka).