Kaiho Yusho

JAPAN, Shiga; Muromachi to Momoyama period (1392–1615)

Also known as Shoeki or Yutoku, Kaiho Yusho was a painter from Omi (present day Shiga). His father was an official to General Azai Nagamasa during the Sengoku period (1467–1603). Due to the chaotic situation at this time, Kaiho entered Zenpukuji Temple in Kyoto. There, in addition to practicing Zen meditation, Kaiho learned painting from the artists of the Kano school. It was not until his 60s, however, that he began to paint regularly and more seriously.
Kaiho’s carefree painting style borrowed influence from the Song (960–1279) and Yuan (1271–1368) dynasties in China. He studied and applied the techniques of such artists as Liang Kai and Ruofen, who used the splash-ink technique. He was skilled in painting with ink and color on gold paper. In addition, Kaiho created a new style of decorative painting by producing screens that featured a different ink illustration contained within each section. He eventually became the founder of the Kaiho school, and together with Kano Eitoku and Hasegawa Tohaku, he was considered one of the Three Painting Masters of the Azuchi-Momoyama period (1573–1615).
His paintings include Four Arts, which is kept at Myoshinji Temple in Kyoto, and Dragon and Clouds, Myoe Shonin, and Hanshan and Shide, at Kenninji Temple in Kyoto. These paintings, together with several others by Kaiho are listed as Important Cultural Properties of Japan.