Josetsu

Josetsu (如拙) was a Japanese suiboku (ink wash painting) artist active during the early Muromachi period (1336-1573). He is considered one of the most important figures in the development of Japanese ink painting and a key influence on subsequent generations of artists.

Very little is known about Josetsu's personal life. It is believed he was a Zen Buddhist monk, possibly of Korean origin. He served as a painter in the Ashikaga shogunate court and was associated with the Shokokuji temple in Kyoto, a center of Zen culture and art.

Josetsu's artistic style drew inspiration from Song and Yuan dynasty Chinese paintings, particularly those of the Chan (Zen) school. He is credited with helping to establish a distinctly Japanese style of suiboku, characterized by its emphasis on spontaneity, calligraphic brushwork, and the evocation of atmosphere.

While few works can be definitively attributed to Josetsu with absolute certainty, the most famous piece associated with him is the hanging scroll "Catching a Catfish with a Gourd" (瓢鮎図 Hyōnen-zu), commissioned by Ashikaga Yoshimochi. The painting depicts a challenging and seemingly impossible task, accompanied by inscriptions from numerous Zen monks commenting on the koan-like nature of the subject. This work exemplifies the Zen aesthetic of paradoxical thinking and the pursuit of enlightenment through unconventional means.

Josetsu's influence extended beyond his own paintings. He trained several prominent artists, including Shūbun, who further developed the Japanese ink painting tradition and became a major figure in his own right. Josetsu's work and teachings helped to solidify the position of ink painting as a major art form in Japan, and his legacy continues to be felt by artists today.