Kōetsu (Hon'ami Kōetsu)

Hon'ami Kōetsu was a renowned Japanese artist, calligrapher, and craftsman from the late 16th to early 17th century. He was celebrated for his mastery in traditional Japanese arts such as calligraphy, poem writing, and decorative crafts like sword fittings and ceramics. Kōetsu's work reflects a deep appreciation for beauty, subtlety, and craftsmanship, blending Zen simplicity with elegance. His influence helped shape the cultural arts of the Edo period, and he remains admired for his versatile creativity, which seamlessly integrated artistic expression with functional objects, embodying the refined aesthetic values of his time.