Hirose Kinzō

Hirose Kinzō, also known as Ekin, was a Japanese painter of the late-Edo, Bakumatsu, and early-Meiji periods.

Life

Born to a hair-dresser in Kōchi in 1812, Kinzō studied under Ikezoe Yōsai before joining the retinue of a Yamauchi princess on her journey to Edo in 1829. There he studied under Kanō Tōhaku and Maemura Tōwa, painters of the Kanō and Tosa schools. Returning after three years with the art name Hayasahi Tōi, he served as head painter for the Kirima Family, chief retainers of the Tosa Domain. However, accused by a rival of forging a work by Kanō Tan'yū, he was dismissed from his post. Little is known of his next ten years. Subsequently prolific, his surviving works include 70 shibai-e byōbu on theatrical subjects, nine ema, thirteen ema lanterns, two emakimono, and seven warai-e or shunga. He also had many disciples.

The Ekin Museum is located in Kōnan in Kōchi Prefecture. Twenty-three of his Tosa Scenes of Kabuki are stored in the museum, with two visible through peepholes throughout the year.

On the third weekend in July, his folding screens on dramatic subjects are displayed at night by candlelight in the streets of Akaoka in Kōnan.