Goshun (1752-1811), the founder of Shijō School in the last half of Edo period, was born the eldest son of the Matsumura family, who had served hereditarily as an official of kin-za (one of the mints during the Edo shogunate period) in Kyoto. In the beginning of his carrier, he studied under Yosa Buson as Matsumura Gekkei who revealed his talent in haiku poetry and drawing. In 1781, after the tragic loss of his wife and father, Gekkei moved to Ikeda on Buson’s advice, who tried to comfort him. He received a warm welcome from the people in Ikeda, and in the following year he renamed himself as “Goshun” after the old name of Ikeda to show his appreciation and joy of spending the new spring there. After returning to Kyoto, Goshun built a intimate friendship with Maruyama Ōkyo and created many of his excellent works while earning the respect from the Shijō School painters.
As the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the municipal system of the city of Ikeda, this special exhibition gathers and presents the creations of Goshun who had a close relationship with the city. Please witness the rebirth of the painter from the depth of sorrow, and follow the transition of his works of art which had become even richer after his five years of staying in Ikeda.