History Tosa school

illustration of genji monogatari

ch.42 – 匂宮 niō no miya ( perfumed prince )

credited tosa mitsuoki (1617–1691).

the tosa school s art tradition passed mitsunobu mitsumochi (土佐光茂) (1496 – c. 1559) under whom fortunes of school began decline, mitsumochi (土佐光元), mitsumochi perished in battle in 1569 causing family lose position head of painting bureau (edokoro-azukari). headship of school passed tosa mitsuyoshi (土佐光吉)(1539–1613), relationship predecessors uncertain.

mitsuyoshi left capital , post , settled in city of sakai (堺), port city near osaka, sold paintings local townspeople. mitsumochi moved away traditional tosa themes specialize in bird-and-flower paintings. during period, stewardship of imperial painting bureau passed tosa school hands of kanō school painters.

mitsuyoshi s son, mitsunori (光則) (1583–1638) continued live , work in sakai, painting townsmen, until 1634 when moved capital eldest son, mitsuoki (光起) (1617–1691) @ invitation of emperor go-mizunoo, mitsunori began painting ceremonial fans court. twenty years later, in 1654, mitsuoki won position of edokoro-azukari family, enabled him revive school. mitsuoki rejuvenated traditional tosa style introducing elements chinese painting. particularly noted elegant paintings of quail, example, chrysanthemum , quail screens painted of son mitsunari (光成) (1646–1710).

mitsuoki s successors headed imperial painting bureau until end of edo period, reliance on imitating style of mitsuoki, rather developing new techniques or themes, led production of works increasingly static , conventional. however, mitsusada (1738–1806), dedicated practitioner of tosa traditions, managed effect temporary tosa revival.

artists of school not family more significant, notably sumiyoshi jokei (1599–1670), pupil of mitsuyoshi, , son gukei sumiyoshi (1631–1705), work revitalized original tradition of small narrative scrolls emphasis on details of everyday life. reviving interest in japanese history in 18th , 19th centuries kept demand tosa style work alive, style of school, thin line , reliance on detail less suited larger hanging-scrolls format preferred patrons. interest in painting everyday life of tosa school influential on ukiyo-e school of paintings , prints, on aristocratic painter iwasa matabei (1578–1650), regarded 1 of founders of ukiyo-e.