Kaihō Yūsetsu

Kaihō Yūsetsu (1598-1677) was a painter of the early Edo period. Born in Kyoto. He was the eldest son of Kaihoku Tomomatsu. His name was Michiteru, and his family name was Chuzaemon. At the time of his father’s death, he was 18 years old, and unable to continue his family’s lineage of painters, he earned his living as a town painter under the name “Kotani” or “Eya” Chuzaemon. Later, at the recommendation of Kasuga Buren, he was summoned by Tokugawa Iemitsu and rebuilt the Kaihoku family. Trying to match the tastes of the time, Yusetsu studied under Kano Tanyu and participated in the production of the inner court wall paintings of the Meireki, Kanbun, and Enpo periods. He often served the court, including Emperor Gosui, and was appointed Hohashi.