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Archbishop Henjō (Sōjō Henjō zu), from the Dōon Version of the Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals

A melancholic portrait of Archbishop Henjō by Araki Katsumochi captures expressive facial details and exquisite silk textures from the early Tokugawa period, inviting you to explore this masterpiece of Japanese art.

Araki Katsumochi (1578-1650) was a pivotal Japanese artist of the early Tokugawa period, famed for genre scenes, historical illustrations & portraits. His unique blend of Tosa & Kanō styles influenced early ukiyo-e. Explore his masterpieces!

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Total Price

$ 300

reproduction

Archbishop Henjō (Sōjō Henjō zu), from the Dōon Version of the Thirty-Six Poetic Immortals

Reproduction Medium

Reproduction Size

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Total Price

$ 300

Quick Facts

  • Subject or theme: Poetic Immortal, melancholy, love poem
  • Notable elements: Crystal rosary, silk damask, calligraphy
  • Title: Archbishop Henjō (Sōjō Henjō zu)
  • Artist: Araki Katsumochi
  • Year: 1630

Artwork Description

In ancient Japanese court society, poetry was the quintessential literary experience. Idealized and deeply admired, poets were often commemorated in portraiture. In the early eleventh century, Fujiwara Kintō (966–1041) selected thirty-six “poetic immortals” (kasen) from the past, and their images became a popular theme in Yamato-e, traditional Japanese painting. This imaginary portrait of Archbishop Henjō was originally part of a set of album leaves comprising all thirty-six poets. Some of the leaves feature the seal of the painter Iwasa Matabei, who broke away for the orthodoxy of the Kano and Tosa studios to create his own distinctive style of depicting the human figure. For instance, here he has rendered the aged monk with a wrinkled forehead, droopy eyes, sagging cheeks, and downturned mouth that convey melancholy—a far cry from the stylized poet portraits of previous centuries. Matabei’s poet portraits are expressive and compelling. Similarly impressive is the detailing of the crystal Buddhist rosary beads, the archbishop’s silk damask cloak and kesa surplice.Above the portrait of the poet is one of his famous poems from his younger years on the theme of love. The text is transcribed in four columns of calligraphy, mostly kana (Japanese syllables) with an admixture of kanji (Chinese characters). On the far right is the poet’s name and clerical title, Sōjō Henjō 僧正遍照, inscribed in bold semi-cursive script. The poem reads: 我やとはみちもなきまてあれにけりつれなき人をまつとせしまにWaga yado wamichi mo naki made arenikeritsurenaki hito omatsu to seshi ma ni The path to my hut,completely overgrown,has now all but disappeared, while I waited to no avail for an out-of-touch lover. (Translated by John T. Carpenter)

Artist Biography

early life and influences

araki katsumochi, a prominent figure in japan's early tokugawa period, left an indelible mark on the art world with his genre scenes, historical illustrations, and captivating portraits. born in 1578, katsumochi was the son of araki murashige, a notable daimyō who met a tragic end, leading to katsumochi's adoption of his mother's family name, iwasa.

artistic style and technique

katsumochi's work is characterized by its distinctive figures, featuring large heads and delicately drawn features. his unique brush technique, blending tosa and kanō elements, allowed him to excel in both color and monochrome ink-wash painting. despite being trained under kanō naizen of the renowned kanō school, katsumochi's style was more heavily influenced by the tosa school.

notable works and legacy

one of katsumochi's most celebrated works is the series of portraits of the thirty-six poetry immortals (1640), commissioned by tokugawa iemitsu for a temple. this masterpiece, signed as "the artist matabei of the later current from tosa mitsunobu," showcases katsumochi's skill in capturing historical events and classical literature.

controversy and legacy

there is ongoing debate among scholars regarding whether katsumochi's works are indeed ukiyo-e or not. in japan, he is often regarded as the originator of ukiyo-e, while some theories suggest he was an independent tosa school painter due to his high social class patrons. conclusion katsumochi's enigmatic life and artistic contributions have left a lasting impact on japanese art. his unique style, blending traditional techniques with innovative brushwork, continues to fascinate art enthusiasts worldwide.

references

  • araki katsumochi, wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/iwasa_matabei
  • the kanō school style art movement, OriginalUniqueArt.com, https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@@/a@d3cpbv-history-painting-art-movement
  • araki katsumochi's paintings, OriginalUniqueArt.com, https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@/araki-katsumochi

related artists and movements

  • katsushika isai, a japanese artist known for his landscapes and genre scenes, OriginalUniqueArt.com, https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@/katsushika-isai
  • the tosa school, a style of japanese art characterized by its use of gold leaf and bold colors, OriginalUniqueArt.com, https://OriginalUniqueArt.com/@@/a@d3cpbv-history-painting-art-movement
araki katsumochi

araki katsumochi

1578 - 1650 , Japan

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