Silver Wind

Sakai Hitsu was one of the most prominent painters of late 18th- and early 19th-century Japan, known for technical bravura, arresting compositions, and striking use of color. After becoming a Buddhist monk, Hitsu was able to dedicate himself to painting, establishing a studio and studying the work of Ogata Krin (16581716). Hitsu successfully revived the earlier artist's style, which later came to be known as Rimpa, "the school of Krin." The first book in English to focus exclusively on the work of this important artist, Silver Wind examines fifty-eight of Hitsu's works and those of his predecessors and artistic heirs, ranging from scrolls and screens to fans, lacquer, and woodblock-printed books. Accompanying essays explore Hitsu's discovery and reinterpretation of Krin's artistic legacy; the aesthetics of the Rimpa style; and the career of Suzuki Kiitsu, his leading student. Distributed for Japan Society Gallery Exhibition Schedule: Japan Society Gallery(09/29/12 - 01/06/13)