Style Imitating Art…
Welcome back for my interpretation of an amazing Japanese screen. Salazar, Shelbee, and I are the curators. You can think of this series as fashion meets art museum! SIA challenges people to find inspiration in different art works, create looks based upon that art work, and share them with the curator for that piece. Salazar selected this gorgeous piece of art for us. I hope you enjoy this post, the information, and my interpretation.
How it works…
Every other Monday one of us selects an inspiration piece of art and posts the image on their blog. We then invite others to interpret that art work through their style. The following Monday, we share our outfits. The curator shares submissions the following Wednesday on her blog. I chose this week’s art work for this round of Style Imitating Art. If you’d like, you can read why she chose it here. Please send your photo to Salazar by Tuesday, June 16th, 2026 by 10 pm EST. Style Imitating Art is an interesting way to inspire your outfits. You can see a few of my looks here, here, here, and here.
The artist…
Ogata Kōrin (originally Ogata Koretomi) was born in Kyoto, Japan sometime in 1658. His family was a wealthy merchant family, primarily involved in the design and sale of fine textiles. This business, Karigane-ya, provided textiles for the kimonos of the aristocratic and powerful women of the city. Kōrin’s father was also a calligrapher and introduced his sons, Kōrin and his younger brother, Kenzan, to the arts. The Ogata family “was descended from a samurai (warrior or aristocrat) who had served under the Ashikaga rulers and was related to a famous calligrapher and swordsmith, Hon’ami Kōetsu.” Kenzan became a potter as well as a painter and calligrapher much earlier than his older brother.
A little more…
As you can probably tell, Kōrin’s early life was spent in luxury and refinement. He and his siblings received an education that would be expected for someone of his social bearing. This included instruction in painting and calligraphy. It’s been noted Kōrin was more interested in drama rather than painting or even calligraphy. Even though it has never been proven from whom he received his art lessons, it’s believed a member of the Kanō school provided it. His great-granduncle, Hon’ami Kōetsu, and the painter, Tawaraya Sōtatsu, were probably most influential on his mature painting style. When his father died in 1687, his older brother took over the business. But, Kōrin inherited quite a bit of money.
Still more…
Being a young dude, Kōrin did as most young dudes with money did…he spent it on lots of different fun-to-him things.
“The extravagance of Kōrin’s lifestyle is best illustrated by a story of a lavish picnic party that Kōrin and his friends gave at Arashiyama outside of Kyōto. As each of the participants showed off his splendid dishes, Kōrin provided the climax by producing his food wrapped in bamboo leaves decorated with gold. When the meal was over, the artist tossed the leaves into the river, an action for which he was banished for a time from Kyōto because it violated the law forbidding the use of gold and silver among the common people.”
Even more…
Over the next few years, Kōrin lost his inherited fortune and turned to the only thing he really did know…art. This artistic maturity began in 1697. It was then he launched his professional art career. In 1701, at the ripe old age of 43, he was given the rank of hokkyō (“Bridge of the Dharma”) which indicated he was an accomplished artist. Very little of his earlier work has been successfully identified as his. After 1701, almost all of his work is signed “Hokkyō Kōrin.” Very few of his paintings are dated so it is difficult to put together a timeline of his work. It does appear all his significant work was produced in the 20 years following 1697. Further, they can be separated into three time periods: “the formative Kyōto period, from 1697 to 1703, when he gained recognition as an artist; the period from 1704 to 1710, when he lived in Edo (present-day Tokyo); and the years 1711 to 1716, when he reached his artistic climax.”
A skosh more…
Shortly after receiving the title of hokkyō, Kōrin created his most famous work and our inspiration piece, Irises. The Tales of Ise, written around the tenth century, was the muse for this piece. This is a scene where the hero and his companions “observe exuberantly blooming wild irises and are inspired to compose poetry…” Kōrin is also considered one of the founders of the Rinpa school. This wasn’t an academy but rather a group of artists who shared the same aesthetic ideals. The Rinpa style “refers usually to a lavish use of gold leaf and stylized decorative elements relating to nature and poetry. Perhaps the best example is Ogata Korin’s screen of irises, which was created with the help of a stencil.”
A move to Edo…
In 1704, Kōrin moved to Edo despite the success he’d had in Kyoto. He had married several years before when he was almost 40. He and his wife had no children, but he did have several illegitimate children over the years prior to his marriage. So, the man needed some money. He felt Edo would be the place to make it. At that time, Japan had Sankin Kōtai which means alternate attendance. This meant regional leaders, AKA daimyo, had to spend every other year in Edo. So, they built homes in the city as well as their original homes. Of course, this also meant the growth of retail and support systems. Kōrin meant to take advantage of this by securing commissions from the political and business figures in Edo. He produced an absolutely exquisite kimono of white twill-weave silk (Kimono with Autumn Grasses). Prior to moving to Edo, Kōrin painted his only portrait which was of Nakamura Kuranosuke. He was an official at the Ginza mint and became Kōrin’s greatest patron.
A true craftsman…
By the spring of 1709, Kōrin had tired of traveling back and forth between Kyoto and Edo. He decided to settle in the former and built a house with an atelier on Shinmachi Street in1712. He lived there the last five years of his life. He continued to create the folding screens which had made him famous. But, Kōrin was more than a painter. He also was an expert lacquer artist. His expertise influenced many of the craftsmen working in this field. As to be expected, he was also famous for his textile designs and created pictorial decorations for his brother Kenzan’s ceramics. Ogata Kenzan is regarded by many as Japan’s greatest potter, and you have to wonder if Kōrin’s designs weren’t, in part, responsible for that. In addition Kōrin created a variety of decorative and practical objects like round fans, writing boxes, and medicine cases.
Finally…
Despite his multiple successes and fame, Kōrin died penniless on June 2, 1716. He was 59 years old. His grave is located at the Myōken-ji temple in Kyoto. Van Gogh was enormously inspired by Kōrin’s Irises and, though he never saw the screens, he did study woodblock-printed reproductions of Kōrin’s work available in Europe.
The artwork…
Irises is a pair of six panel byōbu folding screens. They were created sometime between 1701 and 1705, using ink and gold on gold-foiled paper. They show abstract blue Japanese irises in bloom. Their green foliage create a “rhythmically repeating but varying pattern across the panels.” Since the blooms are very similar, there is indication a stencil was used. Each screen measures 59.4 x 133.4 in (150.9 x 338.8 cm). High quality blue azurite and green malachite mineral pigments “shine against the gold leaf background, creating a simple yet powerful effect.”
In all probability, they were created for the “Nijō family, and were presented to the Nishi Honganji Buddhist temple in Kyoto, where they were held for over 200 years.” In 1913, the temple sold the screens and are now at the Nezu Museum in Tokyo. Due to their fragility, they are only exhibited occasionally. In fact, we just missed them. They were displayed as part of “The Kōrin School: The Irises and Ogata Kōrin’s Followers” from April 11 to May 10 this year! The screens are listed as a National Treasure of Japan. You can read more about Ogata Kōrin and his art here.
Sources…
My interpretation…
I had two ways to go with this piece of art. I have a Gudrun Sjödén dress that is literally named “Irises!” But, it has very little in common with the artwork other than the name. Then, I had this Kantha Bae Shortie Spellbound kimono. While the background is more peach than gold, I felt it gave a pretty good near-enough likeness to the gold. What really caught my eyes was the blue/violet floral print. It’s what caught my eye in the first place. I also realize this color is the best against my skin, but I’m going to figure out a way to make this work better. I have a couple of these kimonos in a longer length. They’re a little tricky to wear as they have two different wrapping layers. There is a bottom one that has absolutely no way to connect so I pinned them in place. Then, there is the outer, shorter layer. I just tied it in a square knot in front of me. If I tied it in back, the seams were in wonky places. Overall, I like this as an interpretation of the art.
The Lewk!
It’s not often I’m flummoxed by footwear. But, this time, I was. I wanted something with purple, but the only thing I have are some boots. That would have spoiled the delicate nature of this outfit. So, I went with a pair of Carlos Santana sandals that are well over a decade (if not older) old. I thought the feathery detail gave a bit of a nod to an Asian feel. I then added this gorgeous Michael Michaud Petunia necklace as well as the matching earrings. Now, I know petunias are not irises, but they are purple. And, they matched the kimono! Remember, it’s an interpretation, y’all!
Wrap it up, Marsha!
I was thrilled to see the Indianapolis Museum of Art has a piece by Kōrin. Unfortunately, it is not on display. You can see it here. We do have several Japanese screens that are rotated quite frequently as they are very delicate. You can bet I will be checking often to see if it should go on display! It is just sad Kōrin died relatively young and penniless. I wonder if it had to do with all those years of partying and not worrying about money. So, can we talk? How do you feel about Asian art, and Japanese screens in particular? Have you seen many screens of this kind? What did you think of that kimono (if you clicked through the link)? What would you have chosen to wear? Please leave me a comment or two, and we can talk. I promise to respond as quickly as I can.
Don’t forget…
If you want to be included in the Style Imitating Art round up, send Salazar your photo by 10:00 pm EST, Tuesday, June 16th, 2026. Photos of everyone participating will appear on her blog on Wednesday, June 17th! If you’re interested in joining us, consider all of your options…the colors, the textures, the feelings they evoke! Come on, give it a try! I think you’ll love it!
Thank you!
I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart for reading, commenting, subscribing or emailing! It truly means so much to me! If you’d like to follow me on Instagram, you can find me here.
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Where you can find me:
Linking up with Nancy’s Fashion Style, Fine-Whatever, Is This Mutton, Shelbee on the Edge, Chez Mireile, Suzy Turner, and Away from the Blue as well as Deb’s World . I also link up with I do deClaire, Mummabstylish, Style Splash and Elegantly Dressed and Stylish as well as the Senior Salon Pit Stop and Slices of Life. Please check out these wonderful ladies and their blogs! I also am a co-host for Ageless Style on the third Thursday of the month and Songful Style on the last Monday of the month as well as the Global Writing Challenge on the second Thursday. I now co-host Fashion Files with Amy at Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa every Tuesday. I co-host Traffic Jam Weekend every Thursday with Melynda, Lisa, Cat, and Rena. I also host 10 on the 10th on the 10th of the month! I do hope you’ll check out all of these blogs and link parties!
Very unusual and a pretty little outfit.
I like to watch the international Japanese channel and my favorite shows are those about arts and crafts, so I really enjoyed this post! It’s a beautiful screen and I like your interpretation of it.