There, he further developed his unique style of expression. In his 60s, Sesson welcomed the apex of his career as a painter and made masterpieces such as his self-portrait (no. 1), while traveling between Aizu and Miharu (now in Fukushima Prefecture). The artist also produced his quintessential works such as
Qingao and Other Immortals (no. 7), which captures the hermit Qingao riding a carp, and
Lu Dongbin (no. 5), in which the Chinese poet-scholar Lu Dongbin engages in a fierce debate with a dragon, during this time.
Even in his last years, Sesson’s enthusiasm did not wane. With his retreat, Sesson-an, in Miharu as his base, he continued to actively paint while going back and forth to Hitachi province. When viewing the screen painting Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang (no. 8), which Sesson made at age 86, his technical wizardry that he taught his pupils and the spirit of his paintings come to mind.
Even in his last years, Sesson’s enthusiasm did not wane. With his retreat, Sesson-an, in Miharu as his base, he continued to actively paint while going back and forth to Hitachi province. When viewing the screen painting Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang (no. 8), which Sesson made at age 86, his technical wizardry that he taught his pupils and the spirit of his paintings come to mind.
In addition to Sesson’s masterpieces, this exhibition presents the works of his successors as well as Edo and Meiji-period artists, who were greatly influenced by him, such as Ogata Kōrin, Sakai Hōitsu, Kano Hōgai, and Hashimoto Gahō. This retrospective also explores the scope of his impact.
