, originally , and also known by the

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...

Shisui, was a Japanese

potter A potter is someone who makes pottery. Potter may also refer to: Places United States *Potter, originally a section on the Alaska Railroad, currently a neighborhood of Anchorage, Alaska, US * Potter, Arkansas *Potter, Nebraska * Potters, New Je ...

and

painter Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a solid surface (called the "matrix" or "support"). The medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush, but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and ai ...

Biography

Ogata Kenzan was born in

Kyoto Kyoto (; Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin metropolitan area along with Osaka and Kobe. , the ci ...

into a rich merchant family. His older brother was the painter

Ogata Kōrin Ogata Kōrin ( ja, 尾形光琳; 1658 – June 2, 1716) was a Japanese landscape illustrator, lacquerer, painter, and textile designer of the Rinpa School. Kōrin is best known for his ''byōbu'' folding screens, such as '' Irises'' and ' ...

(1658–1716). Kenzan studied with the potter Nonomura Ninsei and made his own kiln. In 1712 a nobleman began patronizing his kiln, he moved to the east area of Kyoto. He was one of the greatest ceramicists of the Tokugawa era. He is associated with

Kyō ware is a type of Japanese pottery traditionally from Kyoto. It is therefore also known as ''Kyoto ware''. History Pottery in Kyoto dates back to the late 5th century. In the 17th century, Nonomura Ninsei set up a kiln opposite the Ninna-ji. He es ...

. In 1713, he moved to Edo where he also spent the rest of his life. Ogata Kenzan produced a distinctive style of freely brushed grasses, blossoms, and birds as decorative motifs for pottery. His pieces were noted for their perfect relation between design and shape. He often collaborated on the decoration of pottery with his older brother,

, after whom the style known as Rinpa was named.

Bernard Leach Bernard Howell Leach (5 January 1887 – 6 May 1979), was a British studio potter and art teacher. He is regarded as the "Father of British studio pottery". Biography Early years (Japan) Leach was born in Hong Kong. His mother Eleanor (née ...

, the British studio potter, wrote a book about Ogata Kenzan in 1966 entitled ''Kenzan and his Tradition'', published by Faber & Faber in London.

Gallery

External links

Ogata Kenzan
- Jyuluck-Do Corporation
Bowl with bamboo leaf design at Kimball Art Museum
1663 births 1743 deaths 17th-century Japanese painters 18th-century Japanese painters Japanese potters Japanese lacquerware artists People from Kyoto Rinpa school {{Japan-painter-stub