The "other" Ukiyoe
EKIN-A HERETICAL PAINTER IN SAMURAI NIPPON
In 1812, when the Samurai era was about to end, Ekin was born as a son of a hairdresser in Tosa (present Kochi Prefecture), Japan. Talented in painting, Ekin was specially selected by Tosa Han (the then local government) to study in Edo (present Tokyo).There he learned the painting skills of"Kano School" which is famous for its grand style with Japanese traditions. Later, he became a painter attached to Tosa Han, which was a high position in the then local government.Ekin, however, was accused for having painted fake pictures, and was deprived of all his position and fame. His activities as a sinner during the ten years after the deprivation still remain mysterious. Ten years later, however, Ekin suddenly appeared in the world of ordinary people, and began to paint Shibai-e (pictures whose main subjects are from dramas) energetically.Though his pictures are bloody and weird, they are somehow attractive to us. Ekin, who died in 1879 leaving behind various mysteries about his life, still continues to attract us even today, over 100 years after his death.
Come on! Artfreaks.(Newsgroup)
last update:july 1, 1996/(C)Kochi Pref.
