Born: 1807
Died: 1891
Zeshin was a Shijo painter, printmaker, and lacquerer. The son of a sculptor, he was born and lived in Edo. As a child, Zeshin was apprenticed to a lacquer craftsman, he studied painting under Suzuki Nanrei, and, in Kyoto, under Okamoto Toyohiko. In order to improve his ability in design, he also trained in lacquer techniques under Koma Kansai II. He was a member of thc Nihon Bijutsu Kyokai and the Art Committee of the Imperial Household. He became a court painter in 1890. Zeshin is generally regarded as the greatest lacquerer of the 19th century; particularly skillful in "urushi-e", producing charming, delicate works. He also painted equally delightful pictures, usually with the addition of lacquer. His eldest son, Reisai, carried on the family lacquer business; the younger son Umezawa Ryushin also worked in the family tradition.
- from A Dictionary of Japanese Artists (1976), by Laurance P. Roberts