Background
Koetsu Hon-Ami was born in Kyoto. He was the son of Koji. His father's profession of purveying swords to the Imperial Court.
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Koetsu Hon-Ami
Edit Profile光悦 本阿彌
Koetsu Hon-Ami was an artist. Besides being a connoiseur of swords, he was a distinguished painter, calligrapher, carver and ceramist. Especially good at calligraphy, he was known as the three best calligraphers of the time, the other two being Nobutada Konoe and Shokado. Was also a designer of books. Books designed by him were called Koetsu-Bon (bon mean book).
Career
He received from the Lord of Kaga an allowance of 200 koku of rice a year. Ieyasu Tokugawa granted him a territory in Takamine northwest of Kyoto in 1615. He built there a hermitage which he named Taikyoan, indulging there in various artistic pursuits.
