Born: 1796
Died: 1858
Kiitsu was a Rimpa painter. Born in Omi Province he was the son of a dyer who later moved his shop to Edo. Adopted by Suzuki Reitan, a samurai attached to the Himeji Daimyo, Kiitsu worked first as a dyer, inventing a technique of dyeing with purple (murasakizeme). He then became a pupil of Sakai Hoitsu. By 1825 he was working in the field of book illustration. In 1826, with his master, Kiitsu prepared for publication "Korin Hyakazu" (Collection of 100 Works by Korin). Kiitsu is also known a good haiku poet. His painting was eclectic in style: influenced by the Rimpa, Shijo, Tosa, and ukiyo-e schools. His colors were more opaque than those of Sotatsu, his edges sharper.
- from "A Dictionary of Japanese Artists" (1976) by Laurance P. Roberts