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Eccentric painters: Jakuchu, Rosetsu, Shohaku
Three painters that were active in mid 18 century, Kyoto are well known for eccentric style.
Table of Contents
Ito Jakuchu
After training under Kano school, Jakuchu carved out his own style of realism. He had good observant eyes for detail, and painted a lot of works of flowers and animals, especially hens and roosters that has very fine touch.
Elephant
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Vegetable Nirvana
In addition to colored flower and bird paintings such as <i>Animals and Plants</i> (J., <i>Dôshoku sai e</i>), Itô Jakuchû (1716-1800) also broke new ground in his ink paintings, which are similar to the <i>ippin</i> painting style (extraordinary painting style) of the late Ming dynasty (1368-1644) of China. Wild grasses and fruits are arranged in this scroll by using a Nirvana painting motif. The work can be considered a caricature painting as well.
"Genpo yoka" (Collection of Flowering Plants)
Ito Jakuchu has depicted several flowering plants, vegetables and insects using black and white only. Jakuchu was active in Kyoto during the 18th century. He was renowned for his vivid paintings of flowers and birds, but his graphical sensibilities are also apparent in monochrome works like this one.Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of the Immortals is a collection of 48 drawings. Jakuchu produced it when he was 53 using a technique called taku-hanga, or woodblock ink rubbing. The white sections correspond to concave sections carved into the woodblock. Moistened paper would be pressed against the woodblock, with ink then applied to the surface in a manner that left the concave sections untouched. Jakuchu is said to have drawn the original sketches and carved them onto the woodblocks himself.The white motifs rise up dramatically against the black background to form a bold contrast between light and dark. The distinctive atmosphere of the work is enhanced by a meticulous attention to detail, with Jakuchu even punctuating the leaves with holes left by insects, for example. The realm mentioned in the title is where the Taoist immortals live, while the exquisite flowers refers to flowers as beautiful as jewels. As these words suggest, this is a work filled with a sense of unearthly beauty.
"Corn and Sea Bindweed" from the Album "Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals"
Ito Jakuchu has depicted several flowering plants, vegetables and insects using black and white only. Jakuchu was active in Kyoto during the 18th century. He was renowned for his vivid paintings of flowers and birds, but his graphical sensibilities are also apparent in monochrome works like this one.Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of the Immortals is a collection of 48 drawings. Jakuchu produced it when he was 53 using a technique called taku-hanga, or woodblock ink rubbing. The white sections correspond to concave sections carved into the woodblock. Moistened paper would be pressed against the woodblock, with ink then applied to the surface in a manner that left the concave sections untouched. Jakuchu is said to have drawn the original sketches and carved them onto the woodblocks himself.The white motifs rise up dramatically against the black background to form a bold contrast between light and dark. The distinctive atmosphere of the work is enhanced by a meticulous attention to detail, with Jakuchu even punctuating the leaves with holes left by insects, for example. The realm mentioned in the title is where the Taoist immortals live, while the exquisite flowers refers to flowers as beautiful as jewels. As these words suggest, this is a work filled with a sense of unearthly beauty.
Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of Immortals: Chinese Mallows and Hydrangeas
Ito Jakuchu has depicted several flowering plants, vegetables and insects using black and white only. Jakuchu was active in Kyoto during the 18th century. He was renowned for his vivid paintings of flowers and birds, but his graphical sensibilities are also apparent in monochrome works like this one.Exquisite Flowers from the Realm of the Immortals is a collection of 48 drawings. Jakuchu produced it when he was 53 using a technique called taku-hanga, or woodblock ink rubbing. The white sections correspond to concave sections carved into the woodblock. Moistened paper would be pressed against the woodblock, with ink then applied to the surface in a manner that left the concave sections untouched. Jakuchu is said to have drawn the original sketches and carved them onto the woodblocks himself.The white motifs rise up dramatically against the black background to form a bold contrast between light and dark. The distinctive atmosphere of the work is enhanced by a meticulous attention to detail, with Jakuchu even punctuating the leaves with holes left by insects, for example. The realm mentioned in the title is where the Taoist immortals live, while the exquisite flowers refers to flowers as beautiful as jewels. As these words suggest, this is a work filled with a sense of unearthly beauty.
Nagasawa Rosetsu
Rosetsu was the Maruyama Okyo's best pupil, therefore his early works were in the style of realism. On the other hand, he has a unique style that is distinguished by bold composition. He made a lot of pictures on partitions when he stayed in Nanki (Wakayama prefecture). "Tiger" and "Dragon" (Muryo temple, Kushimoto) are one of his major works.
Soga Shohaku
There are many aspects of Shohaku's life that remain unknown. He proclaimed himself "Jasoku X". (Soga Jasoku is a painter, active 15 century) His paintings are known for its bizarre style, extremely deformed shape. The masterpiece is "Gunsen-zu (Chinese Immortals)".
