SesshÅ« TÅyÅ
Sesshū Toyo (Japanese雪 舟 等 杨, Sesshū Toyo, * 1420 in Akahama, Province Bitchū (today: soy, Okayama Prefecture ); † August 26, 1506 at home in Yamaguchi ) was a Zen monk and the most important Japanese painter of the Muromachi time (15th century). His stage name ( gō ) is Sesshū while Toyo is his real name ( imina ).
Biography
Sesshū was born in 1420 in the province of Bitchū, today Okayama Prefecture. At age eleven he joined in 1431 as a novice in the Zen temple Hofuku -ji -in. At the age of 20 years, he was transferred as a monk in the temple Shokoku -ji in Kyoto. But he left the temple, held May be living in Kamakura and attracted 1464 on request of the Ouchi family continue to Yamaguchi to the temple Unokoku -ji. The city at the time had good relations with China, so that he could travel from there to Beijing in 1468 and studied for several months at the Imperial Painting Academy. Later, he was commissioned an office building in the city to decorate with wall paintings. He left China in 1469 and returned to Yamaguchi and was directed in 1476 a studio in the province of Bungo (now Oita Prefecture ) so that he moved in 1486 to Yamaguchi, where he probably died in 1506. None of his students could make a name.
Artistic creation
About his painting than his years in China is not known. His well-known works, such as the autumn landscape and the winter landscape, exact date is not known, reveal that Sesshū Toyo was strong Chinese ink painting arrested, but creatively enhanced. He mixed with the Chinese traditional Japanese painting and created with its deep, empty ink landscapes a unique form of painting, which is characterized by strong contrasts, skillful washes and economical, expressive and square brush strokes.
As his greatest masterpiece is called the "Long countryside role " ( Shikisansui ). This 1486 resulting work has a height of 40 centimeters and a length of 15.85 meters. Shown are Chinese landscapes through the seasons, with Sesshus whole craftsmanship can be admired, as he has, for example, his brushwork, but also compositions varied. It is also known that he has worked in Haboku style or Yamato -e style. It is believed that his last work, the image Ama no Hashidate is that must have originated around the year 1501. Here, unusually, Sesshū has endeavored to create a realistic representation of nature in Japan.
Besides Sesshū the Muromachi period must also demonstrate other significant artists. Contemporary painters were Josetsu, Shubun and Sotan. In contrast to these Sesshū his life had not been in the service of the Shoguns and lived relatively independently in the province. His pictures should have been appreciated by both the citizens and of the nobles. In addition, he created his works, unlike his contemporaries, regardless of poems, but as an independent painting. He may have been the founder of the independent painting in Japan.
Exhibition
- 2006: The Trip to Sesshu / Sesshū e no Tabi (雪舟 へ の 旅), Art Museum of Yamaguchi Prefecture
Others
Sesshū is involved, the clan of the Otori by Lian Hearn in the five-part fantasy novel and mentioned as an excellent artist. Lian Hearn describes Sesshu Toyo in the preface of the first book as a unique artist.