Hon'ami Kōetsu no daiuchū: Special exhibition : the artistic cosmos of Hon'ami Kōetsu

Abstract

"Hon'ami Kōetsu (1558-1637) was a groundbreaking artist who lived through a tumultuous period of history. He is known for producing masterpieces in multiple genres that went on to have a profound impact on Japanese culture in later periods. Kōetsu left behind a sweeping corpus that has been likened to its own vast cosmos and defies explanation as a whole. The works Kōetsu created alone, like his calligraphy and pottery, express aspects of his inner world, while those created in collaboration with other members of his faith, like maki-e lacquer, reflect broader trends in society. As a potential thread that ties his works together, this exhibition focuses on the community of faith formed by the Lotus sect (Hokkeshū) of Nichiren Buddhism, which Kōetsu and his family were devout believers in. The latest research is examined through the lens of Kōetsu's faith as a means of better understanding the artist and his works as a whole. In the text Annals of the Hon'ami Family, Kōetsu is described as 'a person who hated flattering others his whole life' and 'an unusual character.' His philosophical outlook was rooted in his faith and underpinned the aesthetics of his art. This exhibition attempts to help modern viewers appreciate his works by exploring that connection."-- Foreword.