Chinzan Tsubaki

Background

Tsubaki Chinzan was born in Edo (present day Tokyo) as the second son of Tsubaki Sadashige, aged 54, who served the Tokugawa Shogun as Samurai spearman. However, Sadashige died when Chinzan was 7 years old.

Education

Chinzan acquired the art of warfare, spearmanship, horsemanship and others. Although, as his salary was small, he started learning painting to supplement his regular income. Chinzan became a pupil of Kaneko Kinryo and studied flowers & birds painting in Shin-Nanbin style, though, Kinryo died as soon as Chinzan entered his school. Therefore, Chinzan re-entered Tani Buncho's school. When Chinzan was 17 years old, he became a disciple of Watanabe Kazan who was an exquisite disciple of Buncho. Kazan was Chinzan's lifelong teacher.

Career

Chinzan Tsubaki took to painting, which he studied first under Kinryo Kaneko and later from Kazan Watanabe. His best paintings were natural subjects, such as landscapes, flowers and birds all based on the Kazan style.

He was also an expert player of Sho (Japanese musical instrument), and a master of military art. Chinzan followed Kazan's painting style well. He was also good at Haiku poem, Japanese tea ceremony and playing Sho instrument.

Works

More photos

• painting

  • Birds and Flowers

  • Two fragrant Katsura

    1847

  • painting

  • painting

  • painting

  • painting

  • painting

  • painting

  • painting

  • flower and bird

  • painting

  • painting

  • painting

    1851

  • painting

  • painting

• portrait

  • A portrait of Nakano Sukenobu

Personality

Chinzan Tsubaki was calm, honest and silent. He was devoted son and also he set a high value on friendship.

Connections

Father:

Tsubaki Sadashige