Ogata Kōrin

Lore & Background

His father, Ogata Sōken, was a noted calligrapher and patron of Noh theater. He established himself as an artist only late in life. Kōrin brought the designs of the Rinpa school of painting into lacquerware, and his work on lacquerware is part of his legacy. His brother Kenzan collaborated with him on ceramics and lacquerware.

Reader's Guide

Ogata Kōrin's significance lies in his revival and consolidation of the Rinpa school, which had been founded fifty years earlier by Hon'ami Kōetsu and Tawaraya Sōtatsu. The very term 'Rinpa' derives from his name, coined in the Meiji period. Kōrin brought the designs of the Rinpa school of painting into lacquerware, a key contribution to the decorative arts. He worked on lacquerware in collaboration with his brother Kenzan. During the Edo period (1603–1868), with the development of economy and culture, the artistic quality of lacquered furniture improved, and Kōrin and Kenzan were part of this movement. Kōrin's work on lacquerware, alongside his paintings, helped define the Rinpa aesthetic. His influence extended to later artists, and his legacy is preserved through the efforts of his brother Kenzan and his pupils.

Did You Know?

• Ogata Kōrin brought the designs of the Rinpa school of painting into lacquerware.
• The term 'Rinpa' was coined in the Meiji period and means 'school of [Kō]rin'.
• Kōrin worked on ceramics and lacquerware in collaboration with his brother Kenzan.