Motsugai (物外) and Isshi (一之)(Papers Read at the 31th National Congress)

Abstract

Isshi was a painter and a well-known disciple of Mincho (明兆) in the early Muromachi Period in Japan. We have, even today, a few of his works named "White-robed Avalokitesvara". Motsugai has been an unknown painter, though worthy to notice, in the same period. He produced some nice China-ink pictures of plum-blossoms. As Isshi's seals we can find two seals in the item of Isshi in a Japanese old artist biographical book in the Edo Period, "Kogabiko". At the same time we can find the same seals on the Motsugai's work owned by the Masaki Museum. Thus we have found out the same seals not only in Isshi's work formerly possessed by Mr. Fujii, but also in Motsugai's work. This Isshi's work, formely owned by Mr Fujii, was a trio with two pictures which drew plum-blossoms. We can here recognize that the style of the two drawings of plum-blossoms is the same as that of Motsugai. So the style of Isshi, I think, is closely related with the style of the works of Motsugai together with their seals. Judging from their style and seals, I might rightly say that Isshi and Motsugai were not different persons, but the same painter.