Tosa Mitsuoki 土佐光起

Tosa Mitsuoki (1617–1691) was a prominent Japanese painter and a pivotal figure in the Tosa school of painting. Born in Sakai, Japan, Mitsuoki revitalized the Tosa school, which had been in decline, by incorporating elements of the more popular Kano school, thus bridging traditional Yamato-e styles with contemporary tastes. He served as the official court painter to the Imperial Court in Kyoto, a position that allowed him to influence the aesthetic direction of Japanese court art significantly. Mitsuoki's work is characterized by its delicate brushwork and vibrant color palette, often depicting classical themes from Japanese literature and history. His contributions helped sustain the Tosa school’s relevance and prestige during the Edo period, ensuring its legacy in Japanese art history.