- 2022.12.14
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The colorful and dynamic world of Ekin
When one door closes, another one opens: that’s a perfect way to describe the artistic journey of Hirose Kinzo (1812 - 1876), better known as Ekin, a Kochi artist whose life was as colorful as his artwork. After an orthodox start, his art went in new directions following a brush with misfortune. He’s known for pushing all boundaries with his highly original outlook, using traditional folding screens for his dynamic and bizarre scenes.
Showing great talent from childhood, as a teenager he went to study in Tokyo under master artists. He finished his courses with flying colors, and came back to Kochi City at age 20 to work under the patronage of one of Kochi’s most influential people. Unfortunately, he ran into issues when he was accused of forging work and was subsequently banished. That’s when things became more colorful in all senses.
Eventually settling in the town of Akoaka (east of Kochi City), Ekin set up a studio in a sake brewery and began creating the works for which he’s best known today. Since he was often commissioned to create posters for kabuki theater, he naturally began to depict the dramatic and often gory events from the plays, which became his signature style. Unexpected, macabre and yet humorous, Ekin’s work offers visitors a whole new view of Japanese art.
Visit the Ekin Museum to see more than 20 reproductions of some of his greatest works. To add to the atmosphere and experience, visitors can see the exhibits displayed by small lamps that mimic flickering candlelights! (For those coming in summer, don’t miss the Tosa Akaoka Ekin Festival, a two-day event honoring this creative character and his work)
The museum is only about 45 minutes from Kochi Station by train
Learn more about Ekin Museum: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10017
Showing great talent from childhood, as a teenager he went to study in Tokyo under master artists. He finished his courses with flying colors, and came back to Kochi City at age 20 to work under the patronage of one of Kochi’s most influential people. Unfortunately, he ran into issues when he was accused of forging work and was subsequently banished. That’s when things became more colorful in all senses.
Eventually settling in the town of Akoaka (east of Kochi City), Ekin set up a studio in a sake brewery and began creating the works for which he’s best known today. Since he was often commissioned to create posters for kabuki theater, he naturally began to depict the dramatic and often gory events from the plays, which became his signature style. Unexpected, macabre and yet humorous, Ekin’s work offers visitors a whole new view of Japanese art.
Visit the Ekin Museum to see more than 20 reproductions of some of his greatest works. To add to the atmosphere and experience, visitors can see the exhibits displayed by small lamps that mimic flickering candlelights! (For those coming in summer, don’t miss the Tosa Akaoka Ekin Festival, a two-day event honoring this creative character and his work)
The museum is only about 45 minutes from Kochi Station by train
Learn more about Ekin Museum: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10017
