Sakai Hōitsu 酒井抱一

Sakai Hōitsu (1761–1828) was a Japanese painter and poet, renowned for his contributions to the Rinpa school of art. Born into a samurai family in Edo, now Tokyo, Hōitsu initially studied under the Kanō school before embracing the Rinpa style, which emphasized decorative aesthetics and natural motifs. He is particularly noted for reviving the Rinpa tradition in the Edo period, drawing inspiration from earlier masters such as Ogata Kōrin. Hōitsu's works often feature elegant compositions and a refined use of color, exemplified in his celebrated series of seasonal flower paintings. His legacy includes the promotion of Rinpa aesthetics through both his art and his scholarly efforts to document and publish the works of Kōrin, thereby ensuring the continuation and appreciation of the Rinpa style.