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KORYOSAI
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Artist ¨C Isoda KORYUSAI (µEÌï ºþýˆ”È, 1735¨C1790) was a
Japanese ukiyo-e print designer and painter active from 1769
to 1790. He became a print designer under the art name
Haruhiro in 1769 at the age of 35 while he was still a
samurai. Therefore his first prints were mostly samurai-themed
designs.
He was supposed to be a pupil of Nishimura Shigenaga. It is reasonable to assume that as a student, KORYUSAI had a professional relationship with Suzuki Harunobu (1724-1770), and held him in high esteem despite the fact that a samurai in the Tokugawa socio-political structure could never officially be a protagonist to an artisan. After the death of Harunobu, he took the role of an Ukiyo-e artist more seriously, rather than merely an artistic outlet for his creative inclinations. This was due to the urging and inducement of publishers anxiously seeking a replacement for Harunobu. The designs of KORYUSAI therefore, sometimes exhibit a dependence on his mentor and some have accused him of plagiarism. However, iconographic limitations on certain themes imposed on KORYUSAI and his peers account for what might seem as plagiarism. The popularity of a design led consumers to expect more of the same. No commercial artist, including KORYUSAI, could fail to meet those expectations.
The ukiyo-e print master Harunobu died in 1770, and about that time KORYUSAI began making prints in a similar style of life in the pleasure districts. In its beginnings as a painter he took the name of Haruhiro, adopting his artists name ("go") KORYUSAI in 1771. KORYUSAI was a prolific designer of individual prints and print series, most of which appeared between 1769 and 1881. In 1782 at the age of 48, he applied for and received the priesterly Buddhist honour rank and title "H¨kky¨" ("·¨˜ò", "Bridge of the Dharma") from the imperial court, and thereafter used the title as part of his signature. The title of "H¨kky¨" was reserved for artists and scholars. His output slowed from this time, though he continued to design prints until his death in 1790. KORYUSAI's known designs total about 2500 prints. Despite his productivity and popularity, his work has attracted little scholarship.
Personal life - Isoda KORYUSAI (µEÌï ºþýˆ”È) was born in 1735 as Isoda Sh¨bei and worked as a samurai in the service of the Tsuchiya Ogawamachi clan. In 1778, midway through the career of KORYUSAI, the Tsuchiya clan was under considerable financial strain. At this point, KORYUSAI changed his name or prefaced his name with "Buk¨ Yagenbori Inshi" or "Buk¨ Yagenbori Ju" ("The Hermit of Buko Yagenbori" or "Living in Buk¨ Yagenbori"), to demarcate the beginning of his life as a ronin (masterless samurai). He became a r¨nin after the death of the head of the clan and moved to Edo (modern Tokyo) where he settled near Ry¨goku Bridge in the Yagenbori area. His last print was issued at the age of 55 in 1790, the year that he died.
Aliases - Isoda KORYUSAI (µEÌï ºþýˆ”È), "Buko Yagenbori Inshi" (Îä½ËaÑÐÜ¥ëLÊ¿", also preface), "Buk¨ Yagenbori Ju" (also preface), Haruhiro (Ççºë), Koryu (ºþýˆ), Kory¨±sai (ºþýˆ”È) and Hokky¨ Kory¨±sai (·¨˜ò ºþýˆ”È)
Disciples - none known
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He was supposed to be a pupil of Nishimura Shigenaga. It is reasonable to assume that as a student, KORYUSAI had a professional relationship with Suzuki Harunobu (1724-1770), and held him in high esteem despite the fact that a samurai in the Tokugawa socio-political structure could never officially be a protagonist to an artisan. After the death of Harunobu, he took the role of an Ukiyo-e artist more seriously, rather than merely an artistic outlet for his creative inclinations. This was due to the urging and inducement of publishers anxiously seeking a replacement for Harunobu. The designs of KORYUSAI therefore, sometimes exhibit a dependence on his mentor and some have accused him of plagiarism. However, iconographic limitations on certain themes imposed on KORYUSAI and his peers account for what might seem as plagiarism. The popularity of a design led consumers to expect more of the same. No commercial artist, including KORYUSAI, could fail to meet those expectations.
The ukiyo-e print master Harunobu died in 1770, and about that time KORYUSAI began making prints in a similar style of life in the pleasure districts. In its beginnings as a painter he took the name of Haruhiro, adopting his artists name ("go") KORYUSAI in 1771. KORYUSAI was a prolific designer of individual prints and print series, most of which appeared between 1769 and 1881. In 1782 at the age of 48, he applied for and received the priesterly Buddhist honour rank and title "H¨kky¨" ("·¨˜ò", "Bridge of the Dharma") from the imperial court, and thereafter used the title as part of his signature. The title of "H¨kky¨" was reserved for artists and scholars. His output slowed from this time, though he continued to design prints until his death in 1790. KORYUSAI's known designs total about 2500 prints. Despite his productivity and popularity, his work has attracted little scholarship.
Personal life - Isoda KORYUSAI (µEÌï ºþýˆ”È) was born in 1735 as Isoda Sh¨bei and worked as a samurai in the service of the Tsuchiya Ogawamachi clan. In 1778, midway through the career of KORYUSAI, the Tsuchiya clan was under considerable financial strain. At this point, KORYUSAI changed his name or prefaced his name with "Buk¨ Yagenbori Inshi" or "Buk¨ Yagenbori Ju" ("The Hermit of Buko Yagenbori" or "Living in Buk¨ Yagenbori"), to demarcate the beginning of his life as a ronin (masterless samurai). He became a r¨nin after the death of the head of the clan and moved to Edo (modern Tokyo) where he settled near Ry¨goku Bridge in the Yagenbori area. His last print was issued at the age of 55 in 1790, the year that he died.
Aliases - Isoda KORYUSAI (µEÌï ºþýˆ”È), "Buko Yagenbori Inshi" (Îä½ËaÑÐÜ¥ëLÊ¿", also preface), "Buk¨ Yagenbori Ju" (also preface), Haruhiro (Ççºë), Koryu (ºþýˆ), Kory¨±sai (ºþýˆ”È) and Hokky¨ Kory¨±sai (·¨˜ò ºþýˆ”È)
Disciples - none known
Copyright 2008 ff: Hans P. Boehme