Watanabe Kazan
Watanabe Kazan (Japanese渡 辺 崋 山; born October 20, 1793 in Edo, † November 23, 1841 ) was a Japanese painter who dealt simultaneously with the administration of his province, with Western science and issues of national defense, at a time, which was marked by social and political unrest.
Life
Kazan (now province of Mikawa, Aichi Prefecture) was born in what is now Hayabusachō in the Edo residence of Tahara -han. His father was in various capacities, latterly as Head of Administration ( toshiyoriyaku ) for the active Han. The koku 12,000 small han ( fief ) was in economic difficulties that impacted on the lives of the Watanabe family. Kazan was 13 years old first instruction in the teachings of Confucius, among others by Satō Isay and Matsuzaki Kodo ( 1771-1844 ). 1819, so the age of 16, he visited for the first time his hometown Tahara. In the same year he started in Edo under Shirakawa Shizan (? -1857? ) To study painting, from the following year Nanga painting under Kaneko Kinryō ( ? -1817 ) And Tani Bunchō. In Bunchōs studio he learned later pictures of Shin Nanpin, whom he copied.
In 1818 he handed in his prince a memorandum to improve the management, after which he briefly stayed for the second time in Tahara. Back in Edo, he was asked for the book Gendo hogen of Kyokutei Bakin to make illustrations. For sketches for he visited the post office Okegawa north of Edo. In 1824 he met the physician of the Han, Suzuki Shunzan ( 1801-1846 ), know, which sparked his interest in Rangaku. In March 1826, he met Heinrich citizen, a member of the Dutch mission, which visited as scheduled Edo. [NB 1] In 1827 he replaced the first character of his (artistic) first name华, "flower", which he used since he was about 20, by the homonymous崋, the name of a mountain in China.
The economic situation in the province remained poor. And when the prince ( sairei Bugyo Nikko ) for " Commissioner for the celebrations in Nikko " was appointed, the load of the Han enlarged further. 1832 Kazan was appointed head of the Han administration and now had to take care of the coastal defense. In 1833 he was again to take stock in Tahara. Now Japan has been hit by the 1833-1836 famine Tempo Time (天保 饥馑, tempo no kikin ). Kazan joined the Shōshikai at (尚 歯 会) Association said that dealt with social issues since 1836, it was shogunatskritisch. As Kazan had to take over the management of the residence in Edo during the absence of the prince, he submitted, physically weak, a resignation to one that was not accepted.
In April 1838 he wrote at the request of Egawa Hidetatsu ( 1801-1855 ) writings on national defense. Through his writings Gekizatsu wakumon (鴃 舌 或 问) and Shinkiron (慎 机 论), he criticized the government's actions against the Japan bedrängendem abroad. In 1838 he had the opportunity to talk with the head of the Dutch station Dejima, JE Niemann.
1839 took the shogunate, get into trouble by the Morrison incident, Kazan and his fellow Takano Choei ( 1804-1850 ) and Koseki Sanei ( 1787-1837 ) that they fell into the so-called " Bansha Hell " (蛮社の獄, Bansha no goku ). Through intercession Kazan was spared the death penalty, but he was in 1840 expelled from Edo and placed in Tahara under house arrest. He devoted himself entirely to painting, trying to create an association for selling his paintings. When this became known, he took his own life to save his prince difficulty. He was buried in Tahara in Joho -ji, the grave of his family system is obtained.
Quaint work
Although busy with administrative tasks for his province, Kazan took his life time to sketch and paint. His early pictures still show the influence of his teacher, with his sensitive portraits he came to a very own style. Despite the difficult circumstances he retained a humorous look at his surroundings, as shown by his surviving sketches books. His most famous work is the portrait of Takami Senseki, (鹰 见 泉石, 1785-1858 ), Head of Administration (diamonds ) of the Koga -han in the province Shimousa from 1837 ( National Treasure ).
One of his students, especially Tsubaki Chinzan ( 1801-1854 ).
Takami Sekisen, 1837 ( 116.0 x 58.0 cm) TNM
In the Temple School