Japanese Woodblock Print, 1920s published by Nishinomiya

SIZE IN INCHES: approx. 4 x 3 inches

PROVENANCE: from the estate of Robert O. Muller

OGATA KORIN was an Edo era painter after whom the Rinpa school/style ("School of [Ko]rin") takes its name. He is among the most celebrated painters of the period, and a number of his works have been designated National Treasures or Important Cultural Properties.

Korin was born and raised in Kyoto. His father, Ogata Soken, died in 1687, leaving the family home to Korin and his brother Ogata Kenzan. Kenzan would also go on to become a celebrated artist - especially in the fields of poetry, calligraphy, and pottery. Korin worked to revive the style of late 16th century painters Tawaraya Sotasu and Hon’ami Koetsu, and produced recreations of a number of their famous works, including screens (byobu) of Matsushima, and of the gods of wind and thunder, Fujin & Raijin. It was from this style, incorporating brightly colored mineral pigments, gold leaf, and tarashikomi (wet bled colors), that the "Rinpa" style later emerged, in emulation of Korin's works.

Korin was forced to sell his family's house in 1696. By 1704, he was living in the Ginza neighborhood of Edo, but he returned to Kyoto, and to more direct collaborations with Kenzan, in 1709. He enjoyed the patronage of the Sakai clan of Himeji han, who as a result amassed a sizable collection of Korin's works. Sakai Hoitsu, a member of that clan, made extensive use of this collection as he revived, promoted, and expanded Rinpa, creating his own works in emulation of Korin's, and producing publications such as the 1817 Korin hyakuzu ("One Hundred Pictures by Korin"), which contributed to popularizing the style.

Korin is buried alongside his brother at Senmyo-in, a sub-temple of Myoken-ji in Kyoto.

VG, no flaws of note