Contents
Ogata Kōrin
Painting gold-ground screens of irises and plum trees that became landmarks of Rinpa art.
Irises · Irises at Yatsuhashi
- Born
- 1658
- Birthplace
- Kyoto, Japan
- Died
- 1716
More people
Ogata Kōrin
Ogata Kōrin was a Japanese painter and designer working across screens, lacquer and ceramics. Bold shapes and rhythmic arrangements made his art influential long after his lifetime.
Early life
Textile household
Born into a prosperous Kyoto family associated with the Kariganeya textile business.
Artistic surroundings
His father practised calligraphy and supported Noh theatre; his younger brother Kenzan became a potter.
Career
- 1687
Inheritance
Inherited family wealth before financial difficulties increased his reliance on commissions.
- 1701
Artistic recognition
Received the honorary title hokkyō.
- 1704–1709
Edo period
Worked in Edo before returning to Kyoto.
- 1712
Kyoto studio
Established a new home and studio for his later work.
Selected work
Irises
Used clusters of blue flowers against gold to create a striking screen composition.
Irises at Yatsuhashi
Combined flowers and angular bridges in a reference to The Ise Stories.
Red and White Plum Blossoms
Set contrasting trees beside a strongly patterned stream.
Beyond work
Family collaboration
Painted ceramics made by his brother Kenzan, joining different crafts.
Changing fortunes
Letters and records reveal debts and the pawning of possessions after his inheritance diminished.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Metropolitan Museum: Irises at Yatsuhashi ↗Photo: Posthumous portrait in Sentetsu zoden, volume 5 / National Diet Library, Japan. Source credit; rights retained by the respective holder · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.