Kenzan: The Maestro of Conception

His brother Korin was a giant of the Rinpa school of traditional Japanese painting and enjoyed his time in the spotlight, while Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743) lived a far less flashy life, quietly working up his pottery skills in Kyoto before moving to Edo at the age of 50. Kenzan's superb creations spoke for themselves, however, and he's now recognised as a master of kyoyaki ceramics and one of the greatest artist-potters of the Edo era. 'The Maestro of Conception' introduces visitors to his work and creative energy, which had an immense impact both on the legacy of Rinpa and on Japanese ceramics as a whole.