Ikeda Koson, Rimpa School, 1802-1867

a six-fold screen, elaborately decorated with the trademark tarashikomi (blotches of mixed pigments) technique, with a variety of different flowers to illustrate the sequential change of seasons: from right to left, at the foot of a large apricot tree, are growing kakitsubata (irises), nadeshiko (pink), peonies and sunflowers to show the change from Spring to Summer whilst towards the left, morning glory, light pink cotton rose, kikyo (bellflowers) and white chrysanthemums and suisen (narcissus) and kudzu to show the change from Autumn to Winter; in colour and sumi on gold leaf, signed Koson with seal Renan 

Nihon no Bi Rimpa ten 2004, cat no.75, 5-17 October 2004, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store

Ikeda Koson (1802-1867), a contemporary of Suzuki Kiitsu (1796-1858) was originally from Echigo province but moved to Edo where he studied with Sakai Hoitsu (1761-1828), the founder of the Edo Rimpa School.

The painting exemplifies the artist's masterly manipulation of the tarashikomi technique the characteristic of which is a puddled-ink effect as is featured on the vine leaves and the trunk of the tree to create a sensuous texture.