The artist Suzuki Kiitsu (1796-1858) was long considered a late and somewhat minor player in the Rimpa school, which emerged in Kyoto early in the Edo Period (1603-1868). The Suntory Museum of Art¡¯s current exhibition now re-evaluates Kiitsu¡¯s career and his contributions to this tradition. ¡°Suzuki Kiitsu Standard Bearer of the Edo Rimpa School¡± brings together just over 200 works by the artist and those in his immediate circle.
The Rimpa school (also known as Rinpa) takes its name (¡°Rin¡°) from Ogata Korin (1658-1716) who, with his brother Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743), consolidated and furthered the artistic innovations originating half a century earlier with Tawaraya Sotatsu and Hon¡¯ami Koetsu. The school¡¯s style was revived in Edo (present day Tokyo) toward the end of the Edo Period by Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828), establishing the Edo Rimpa school.
Kiitsu was apprenticed to Hoitsu at the age of 18. A decorated fan at the exhibition displays the master¡¯s calligraphy combined with the younger artist¡¯s eye for design ¡ª a gesture that reflects their good relationship, and continues the long Rimpa tradition of such collaborations.
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