Tanaka Totsugen

A painter from the late Edo period. Born in Nagoya. His name was Bin, and he also had the pen names Chio, Tokuchu, Kafukishi, and Kyumyo. He went to Kyoto at a young age to study the Tosa school, but at the same time, he made an effort to copy old paintings, and eventually came to advocate a direct return to Yamato-e. He thus became a pioneer of the revival of the Yamato-e school, but he did not get involved in political activities himself, instead devoting himself to painting. Many of his fine copies remain, including those on the walls and doors of the Phoenix Hall of Byodo-in Temple. He also has fine works in the Yamato-e style that deal with imperial themes, and works such as "Lotus and Heron in the Rain" that incorporate Rinpa techniques. He lost his sight in his later years, and is said to have committed suicide in despair. His students included Ukita Ikkei and Watanabe Kiyoshi.

[Etsuko Kato]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸後期の画家。名古屋に生まれる。名は敏、痴翁・得中・過不及子・求明などと号した。若くして京都に出て土佐派を学んだが、一方、古画の模写に努めて、ついに大和絵(やまとえ)への直接的な復帰を提唱するに至る。したがって復古大和絵派の先駆者となったが、自らは政治的な活動には関与せず、画業に専念した。平等院鳳凰(ほうおう)堂の壁扉絵をはじめ精緻(せいち)な模写が多く残されている。また王朝的な主題を扱った大和絵風の作品や、琳派(りんぱ)の手法を取り入れた『雨中蓮鷺図(うちゅうれんろず)』などの佳品もある。晩年に失明し、失意のうちに自殺したと伝えられる。門人には浮田一蕙(うきたいっけい)、渡辺清がいる。

［加藤悦子］

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