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No, this artwork is in the public domain.

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Collectible Description

Against an extravagant design of chrysanthemums and mist rendered in gold flakes and gold dust, the most famous calligrapher of his age, Hon’ami Kōetsu, has inscribed a single waka (31-syllable court verse) by Minamoto no Michiteru (Koga Michiteru, 1187-1248), a high-ranked courtier-poet of ancient times, whose poems, including the one cited here, were included in distinguished imperially sponsored anthologies such as the New Collection of Japanese Poems Ancient and Modern (Shin kokin wakashu). Evoking the autumn season in the capital, the verse here reads: 曙や川瀬の波のたかせ舟くだすか人の袖の秋きり Akebono ya kawase no nami no takasebune kudasu ka hito no sode no akikiri At the break of dawn a skiff rides the rapids of the river, as the boatman’s sleeves drift in the autumn mist. (Trans. John T. Carpenter) This example of a waka on a gorgeously decorated shikishi (poem card) serves as a textbook example of Kōetsu’s distinctive hand. While manifesting the calligrapher’s brilliant sense of spacing, it shows off his alacrity at creating ligatures between clusters of two of three characters—that injects a new rhythm of reading to the poem. Characteristic of Kōetsu’s handwriting, extremely simple characters such as the possessive particle no 乃or hito 人( [boat]man) are inscribed boldly to make them stand out. At the same time, to create a sense of variation, the calligrapher employs an exceedingly complex variant form of the particle no濃 at the bottom of the third column—the way he inscribes this character became one of his trademark idiosyncracies.

Artist Biography

early life and influences

hon'ami kōetsu, a celebrated japanese painter, was born in 1558 in kyoto, japan. his family, renowned for their expertise in sword polishing and connoisseurship, had served the imperial court and notable warlords of the sengoku period, including oda nobunaga and toyotomi hideyoshi.

artistic contributions

kōetsu's artistic journey began with his involvement in the rinpa school of painting, which he significantly influenced. his groundbreaking works, created during a time of warfare and political turmoil in japan, had a profound impact on japanese art. notably, kōetsu's collaboration with the painter tawaraya sōtatsu resulted in numerous decorated pieces.

notable works and legacy

poem by kamo no chōmei with underpainting of cherry blossoms (20 x 18 cm, silver), a testament to his early work as a calligrapher.
his establishment of an artist community in takagamine, granted by tokugawa ieyasu in 1615, marked the beginning of a new era in japanese art.

key art movement: the rinpa school of painting, which kōetsu inspired, is characterized by its use of mineral pigments and organic materials on silk or paper.

museums and collections

national museums liverpool (liverpool, united kingdom), featuring works like design for a fan by taki katei.
the menard art museum in japan, housing an extensive collection of western art, including paintings, sculptures, and prints.

artistic legacy: kōetsu's influence on japanese art is undeniable. his pioneering work in the rinpa school has inspired generations of artists, cementing his place in the annals of art history.

references:

hon'ami kōetsu on OriginalUniqueArt.com.
ogata kōrin on wikipedia, a notable artist influenced by kōetsu's work.

conclusion:

hon'ami kōetsu's profound impact on japanese art is a testament to his innovative spirit and artistic genius. his legacy continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike, making him an integral part of japan's rich cultural heritage.