context: calligraphy > hiragana revival

a poem calligraphed by Koetsu on paper by Sotatsu, from 1606

Hon'ami Koetsu's Calligraphy

Koetsu is among the most multi-talented artists the world has ever seen, but arguably he ranks highest as a calligrapher. He returned to the styles of Heian hiragana, with the great painter Tawara Sotatsu decorating the sumptuous paper on which he worked - I see this as the greatest collaboration in world art. Spotting where painting ends and calligraphy starts in the bamboo image ('another example' link below) is very hard, the combination is so complete.

It's unclear where his style derived from - some research suggests Noh masters such as Kokusetsu - but there is a return to Heian aesthetics in his calligraphy. It's confident, beautifully flowing calligraphy, with great variation in the thickness of line, and as gorgeous as any ever produced.

another example of his calligraphy

Koetsu and painting (main page, with calligraphy image)

Koetsu's lacquerwork

Koetsu's ceramics