early life and training kusumoto hakkei, also known as sō shizan, was a renowned japanese artist born in edo in 1733. as the adopted son of the esteemed edo master sō shiseki, kusumoto received rigorous training in the chinese style of painting, which would later become a hallmark of his work. artistic style and influences kusumoto's artistic style was deeply rooted in the chinese tradition, yet he infused his works with a distinctly japanese flair. his paintings often featured landscapes, flowers, and birds, characterized by delicate brushwork and vibrant colors. this unique blend of styles…