The brush that paints life: The world of Ito Jakuchu

Kyoto, mid-Edo period. Ito Jakuchu was born as the eldest son of Masuya, a vegetable wholesaler in Nishiki Market. Although he led the life of a merchant, he had a strong interest in painting from an early age. After handing over the family business to his younger brother at the age of 40, Jakuchu began to pursue painting full-time. His gaze was fixed on the "shapes of life" hidden in everyday life. He depicted chickens, fish, insects, flowers and plants with a meticulous precision and tranquil gaze, as if peering through a microscope.

[Jakuchu's masterpiece: "A Colorful Picture of Animals and Plants"]

It was Jakuchu's "Colored Paintings of Animals and Plants," a series of 30 colored silk paintings, that made him famous. This series, housed in the Museum of the Imperial Collections of the Imperial Household Agency, breathes life into every single crane feather, the swaying petals of a peony, and the transparency of a goldfish's tail, all through his astonishing observational skills and tenacious brushstrokes.

These works go beyond mere realism and could even be described as a "hymn to life." Rather than simply painting beautiful images, Jakuchu may have been exploring fundamental questions such as "what does it mean to be alive?" and "what does it mean to exist?" through his paintbrush.

[Jakuchu as an innovator]

Jakuchu's uniqueness also lies in his innovativeness. He had no particular teacher and honed his techniques through self-study. While drawing on the traditions of Chinese painting, he incorporated Western perspective and color theory, establishing a unique style that combines ink painting with color. His works, which sometimes feature bold compositions and other times extremely detailed depictions, create a unique world that lies "between realism and fantasy."

Furthermore, his "Masume-ga" (square paintings) and other works with mosaic-like compositions exude a cutting-edge quality that seems to anticipate modern digital art. Jakuchu's paintings remain timeless and offer surprises and discoveries to the viewer.

[Fusion of nature and philosophy]

Jakuchu's works are strongly influenced by Buddhist thought. They depict the transience of life, the cycle of reincarnation, and the beauty of impermanence. The chickens he paints are not mere poultry, but appear as beings that embody the truth of the universe.

For example, the chicken depicted in "Old Pine and White Phoenix" has a dignified stance and a sharp gaze, as if it can see through the laws of this world. For Jakuchu, nature was not simply an object of observation, but a place for philosophical contemplation, and through his paintings it was a way to express the balance of opposites such as "life and death," "stillness and movement," and "light and darkness."

[Jakuchu's techniques and attention to materials]

Jakuchu was also very particular about the materials he used. In his works on silk, he makes use of the flow of the silk fibers and skillfully adjusts the layering of pigments and brush pressure to achieve both a sense of three-dimensionality and transparency. He also left behind many ink paintings that, by freely manipulating the shades and bleeding of ink, create a rich range of expression despite being monochromatic.

His paintings have the power to appeal to the five senses, conveying not only visual beauty but also tactile sensations such as the softness of a feather, the moistness of a flower petal, or the slimy texture of a fish.

[Jakuchu's work resonates with the modern world]

Jakuchu's works continue to fascinate many people today. In recent years, exhibitions have attempted to recreate his paintings in textiles and ceramics, breathing new life into them through the fusion of traditional crafts. In addition, the Chiba City Museum of Art exhibited his ink paintings, attracting attention with one of his early works, "Parrot."

As viewing experiences using technology, such as digital archives and VR exhibitions, continue to evolve, Jakuchu's world is being revived in an ever-increasing variety of forms. His paintings are not simply works of art; they also carry philosophical messages that ask questions like "what is life?" and "what is beauty," resonating deeply with us living today.

[Afterword: Jakuchu and WABISUKE]

WABISUKE aims for serenity, poetry, and universality - these are qualities that are reminiscent of the paintings of Jakuchu. Jakuchu painted not just chickens or flowers, but the very "shape of life." The words, colors, and shapes woven by WABISUKE are also a quest for "beauty" that resonates across the ages, and have the power to spread quiet ripples in the hearts of those who view and use it.

Like Jakuchu, observe, question, and express. With this attitude in mind, the world of WABISUKE will also soar into the future.