Ikeda Sanshin Koson Paintings

Ikeda Sanshin, also known as Koson, was a Japanese painter and printmaker known for his contributions to the Shin-Hanga movement, which sought to revitalize traditional ukiyo-e art by integrating Western practices and aesthetics. Born in 1881 in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, Sanshin initially trained in painting under the guidance of Suzuki Kason, a renowned artist of the time. Despite this traditional training, he would later become famous for his work in woodblock prints.

Sanshin's early life and career were focused on painting, but his direction shifted after the Russo-Japanese War, when he met the American scholar and collector Ernest Fenollosa, who was instrumental in encouraging the preservation and continuation of traditional Japanese art forms. Fenollosa's influence led Sanshin to explore the art of woodblock printing.

Koson's woodblock prints are mainly known for their depictions of birds and flowers. He created these works under various names, including Koson and later Shōson after 1912, when he began working with the publisher Watanabe Shōzaburō, the driving force behind the Shin-Hanga movement. Watanabe's publishing house was destroyed in the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923, but Koson continued to work with him thereafter, contributing to the revival of the movement.

The Shin-Hanga movement was characterized by the collaboration between artists, carvers, printers, and publishers. It was a reimagining of the ukiyo-e tradition, emphasizing the importance of the artist and the craft of printmaking. Koson's prints from this period blend the delicate lines and colors of traditional Japanese woodblock prints with a sense of depth and light that shows the influence of Western art.

After World War II, Koson also worked under the name Hōson for a brief period. His works from the post-war era continued to depict the natural world with a quiet sensitivity and attention to detail. Koson's prints have been widely collected both in Japan and internationally, and he is recognized as one of the key figures in the Shin-Hanga movement. He continued to create art until his death in 1963.