Tawaraya Sotatsu

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the little that is known about Tawaraya Sotatsu's life and examines his painting of the Saigyo scroll. The paper shows how Sotatsu must have been a key figure in a Japanese renaissance. The paper concludes that by studying his work today, in the aftermath of abstract art, viewers have a renewed appreciation for his skillful deployment of line in his intricate designs.

Outline:
Tawaraya Sotatsu: His Life
Tawaraya Sotatsu: His Work
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Tawaraya Sotatsu is one of the biggest names in the history of art in Japan. He was not always considered thus, however. He had fallen into obscurity for several centuries after his death, and it was not until the early 20th century that there was a sudden resurgence of interest in the painter's work. This probably had more than a little to do with the fact that Sotatsu's highly intricate designs appealed to the Modernist sensibility of the 20th century, which was always on the look out for new innovations. Some have even gone so far as to consider Sotatsu as the first true abstract artist."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Gowing, L. (ed.) 1995. A Biographical Dictionary of Artists. Rev. edn. Oxfordshire: Andromeda Oxford Limited.
• Mizuo, H. 1973. Edo Painting: Sotatsu and Korin. Chicago: Art Media Resources.
• Tanaka, I. & Grilli, E. 1956. Tawaraya Sotatsu. Tokyo: C. E. Tuttle Co.
• Totman, C. 1995. Early Modern Japan. Berkeley: University of California Press.
• Waterhouse, D. 1966. Tawaraya Sotatsu and Deer Scroll. Seattle: Center for Asian Arts, University of Washington.

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