Who was Hon'ami Koetsu?

Who was Hon'ami Koetsu?

"Nothing so exquisite exists in this world as an object made by the human hand. It may be said that this work is the work done by the human hand through the instruction of the gods." - Hon'ami Koetsu

Hon'ami Koetsu (1558-1637) was born into a family already well known in the refined world of the Japanese Samurai sword (katana). Sword appraisal and polishing was a highly respected enterprise, and Koetsu learned his aesthetic sense from years of tutelage in this demanding and discerning business.

Koetsu was a student of Furuta Oribe, a seminal figure in the art of Chanoyu, commonly known as the Japanese Tea Ceremony. Here he absorbed the ideals of Wabi (a difficult concept to translate, but it has to do with appreciation of directness and simplicity, even a rusticity in design and execution), which would permeate his work. Through the art of tea, Koetsu made connections with the powerful merchant class and, also thorugh his family, the ruling class. Koetsu was deeply moved by the death of his teacher Oribe and embraced the Way of Tea with humility and respect. He distinguished himself in his original designs and production of several Raku tea bowls, many of which are now designated as Important Cultural Properties, and can be seen in museums around the world. His tea bowl "Fujisan" (for Mt. Fuji) seen on the right, is still considered a landmark of its kind.

He distinguished himself in the fine art of calligraphy, establishing a personal style of free-flowing script that is immediately identifiable as his own. Many examples of his calligraphy were done as part of poem cards (shikishi - seen at left) and poem scrolls (tanzaku - right) as well as decorative fans in collaboration with artisan papermakers including the master painter Tawaraya Sotatsu.

Koetsu was deeply involved in the world of Japanese Noh theater, designing librettos and collecting the music used for Noh plays. He took part in the planning and publication of Saga Bon, luxury editions of Noh librettos and ancient Japanese classics that became important cultural documents.

His reach into other disciplines included the craft of Japanese laquerwork, and again he left his mark with several examples that were astonishing in their creative, masterful use of design and materials. His innovatively conceived writing box, called "Boat Bridge" (seen right) was far ahead of its time, using elements that look contemporary even today.

In 1615, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Shogun of the ruling Tokugawa family, granted Koetsu a large parcel of land in northern Kyoto called Takagamine. There, Koetsu established a community of family, friends, and townspeople, many of whom were craftsmen and artisans in a variety of fields. Koetsu himself was a Nichiren Buddhist (teachings embodied in the Lotus Sutra) and the central intent of this community was the establishment of Buddhist temples and sub-temples. What grew out of this was a true "Art Colony" with Koetsu at its center. As he grew older, Koetsu preferred a more solitary life at the temples, gardens, and tea rooms of Takagamine, but he still supervised and helped design many of the projects of his artisans.

After a life of remarkable vigor and creative energy, Koetsu passed away at the age of 82.

His influence on Japanese arts and crafts can still be felt today.

(left) Entrance walkway to Koetsu-ji, Takagamine, Kyoto.

(below left) Bamboo fence called Koetsu-gaki designed by Koetsu

Statue of Hon'ami Koetsu at his family temple, Koetsu-ji, Takagamine, Kyoto.