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Sesshu |
| Sesshū Tōyō | |
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 Shukei-sansui (Autumn Landscape), by Sesshu Toyo
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| Information | |
| Born: | 1420 |
| Place of birth: | Bitchū, Japan |
| Died: | 1506 |
| School(s): | Rinzai |
| Title(s): | suibokuga master Zen Master |
| Website | |
Sesshū Tōyō (雪舟 等楊 lit.: snow boat?) or often also simply Sesshū, 1420-1506, was one of the most prominent masters of suibokuga (ink painting), and a Rinzai Zen Buddhist priest. Although born into the samurai Ōta clan, he is famous for his mastery of Chinese-style ink painting.1 He established an individual identity as a painter.
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The Ōta clan originated in 15th century Musashi province.2 They claimed descent from Minamoto Yorimasa, and through that branch of the Minamoto they claimed kinship with the Seiwa-Genji.3
The feudal progenator of the clan name, Ōta Sukekuni, established himself at Ōta in Tamba province, and he adopted this location name as his own. He traced his lineage as a 5th generation descendant of Yorimasa.3
In a special context created by the Tokugawa shogunate, the Ōta clan were identified as tozama or outsiders, in contrast with the fudai or insider daimyō clans which were hereditary vassels or allies of the Tokugawas.2
In, 1638, Ōta Sukemune, the grandson of Ōta Yasusuke, was granted Nishio Domain in Mikawa province; and then, in 1645, he and his family was transferred to Hamamatsu Domain (35,000 koku) in Tōtōmi province. Yasusuke's descendants were moved several times by shogunate decree, residing successively in 1687 at Tanaka Domain in Suruga province, in 1703 at Tanakura Domain in Mutsu province, and in 1728 at Tatebayashi Domain in Kōzuke province.3 Then, in the period spanning the years 1746 through 1868, this branch of the Ōta clan established itself at Kakegawa Domain (53,000 koku)4 in Tōtōmi.2
The head of this clan line was ennobled as a "Viscount" in the Meiji period.3
Sesshū was born in Bitchū, present-day Okayama Prefecture. He studied Zen in his youth at Hōfuku-ji located in Sōja City, Okayama. Later moving to Shōkoku-ji in Kyoto, he continued to study Zen, and learned painting from Shūbun as well. Sesshū studied in Ming (China) for some years in the 1460s. After returning to Japan in 1469, he built an atelier in Yamaguchi Prefecture, named Unkoku-an (雲谷庵?).1 This became the base from which he traveled around Japan. It is generally believed that he based his activities in the atelier for most of his later life.5 Some believe that he died on August 8, 1506, though precisely where still remains unknown.1
There are six paintings, which are widely confirmed to be works by Sesshū, designated as National Treasures in Japan. Besides these, there are numerous other works attributed to him, with some varied views among experts. Those most influenced by his approach to painting are said to be the "School of Sesshū" or the "Unkoku-rin School."6
Some of his works existing today reside in:
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