Unkoku Togan

JAPAN, Saga, Fujitsu; Muromachi to Momoyama period (1336–1615)

Unkoku Togan, born Naoharu, was a painter and the founder of the Unkoku school. He painted solely for the Mori clan, and first learned the art from Shoei Kano of the Kano school, being also greatly influenced by the works of Eitoku Kano. Later, he learned directly under Sesshu Toyo and was commissioned by Terumoto Mori to copy one of Sesshu’s landscape scroll paintings. He claimed to be the 3rd generation of Sesshu, naming himself “Togan,” an adaption of “Toyo.” Aside from mastering the ink painting style of Sesshu, Unkoku’s works feature vigorous brushstrokes and a neat, elegant composition.
In 1611, he was given the rank of Hokkyo (Dharma Bridge), the third highest rank awarded to Buddhist artists. After he passed away in 1618, his son Unkoku Toeki succeeded him.
Unkoku’s extant works include the sliding-door panel paintings at Obaiin Temple and Fumonin Temple in Kyoto; Plums and Crows, at the Kyoto National Museum; and Bodhidharma, painted during his late years, and now kept at Ryosokuin Temple in Kyoto.