- Gessen

Background

Gessen was born in 1721. He was the resident priest of the Jakushoji Temple in Ise (Mie Prefecture) and he called himself Genzui.

Career

After studying at the Zojoji Temple in Edo under Sekkan Sakurai, Gessen moved to the Chion-in Temple in Kyoto and studied painting under Okyo Maruyama. He was also under the influence of Buson Yosa, noted haiku poet and painter. Plebeian in taste, Gessen is said to have been willing to paint even on bath-towels of women of gay quarters for money. He was so eager to raise the fund to build the Jakushoji Temple that people called him Gessen the Beggar.

Works

More photos

• handscroll painting

  • Landscapes with Figures