Updated October 2026 · ranked by our popularity score (searches, visits and orders for each work) · 36 works by Ogata Kōrin in our catalogue
In short
The Ogata Kōrin painting most people know is Title(Japanese): 円形図案集 (1700), and you can see it at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Осака. Right after it come Fukurokuju (1700) and Hotei (1704). Out of 36 works by Ogata Kōrin in our catalogue, these 36 are the best known. Each one comes with its year, its museum and a short note on what makes it stand out.
A single deer pauses within a ring of shifting life. It stands on one leg, a momentary stillness amidst the quiet movement of the woods. Leaves and flowers drift through the composition, some clinging to the earth near the animal's feet, others floating in the empty space of the background. The scene captures a breath held in the forest. It is a small, circular world where nature is distilled into…
In the delicate dance of ink and color upon silk, Ogata Kōrin captures a moment that transcends the earthly realm. Seiobo, a masterpiece dating to approximately 1705, invites the viewer into a mythic landscape where the boundaries between the mortal and the divine blur. The painting depicts the legendary Queen Mother of the West, known in Japan as Seiobo, an immortal Taoist deity of profound significance. Kōrin presents her not…
This writing box (J. suzuribako) is by Ogata Kôrin (1658-1716), a leading artist of the Rinpa School who carried on the approach of Hon
On the right-hand panel, white plum blossoms, a harbinger of spring, stand out against fine-grained wood and the stark branches of a leafless tree. The companion panel features flowers and grasses of late summer and early autumn: morning glories, pampas grasses, white and blue bellflowers, and exuberant white, pink, and red chrysanthemums. Flowers of Spring and Autumn combines the highly stylized renditions of natural elements for which Kōrin became famous…
Irises at Yatsuhashi (Eight Bridges)1709 · Metropolitan Museum of Art
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Preliminary Drawing of Three Deer Mounted on a Hanging-scroll Painting of Flowering Bush CloverMetropolitan Museum of Art
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The four subjects that come up most often in these pieces, each with its best-known example.
The 8 museums that hold the most of the paintings on this page.
| Museum | City | Works by Ogata Kōrin | Paintings from this list |
|---|---|---|---|
 Metropolitan Museum of Art |
New York | 13 | Irises at Yatsuhashi (Eight Bridges), Rabbits, Preliminary Drawing of Three Deer Mounted on a Hanging-scroll Painting of Flowering Bush Clover |
 Cleveland Museum of Art |
Cleveland | 3 | Pheasant, Chrysanthemums by a Stream, Plum Tree |
 Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts |
Осака | 2 | Title(Japanese): 円形図案集, Title(Japanese): 梅蒔絵箱図案 |
 Detroit Institute of Arts |
Detroit | 2 | Corn and Pampas Grass: Corn, Corn and Pampas Grass: Pampas Grass |
 Minneapolis Institute of Art |
Minneapolis | 1 | Fukurokuju |
 Kimbell Art Museum |
Fort Worth | 1 | Seiobo |
 Suntory Museum of Art |
Tokyo | 1 | Flowering Plants in Autumn |
 Museum of Fine Arts |
Boston | 1 | Waves at Matsushima |
Pick a decade to see its standout piece.
A single deer pauses within a ring of shifting life. It stands on one leg, a momentary stillness amidst the quiet movement of the woods. Leaves and flowers drift through the composition, some clinging to the earth near the animal's feet, others floating in the empty space of the background. The scene captures a breath held in the forest. It is a small, circular world where nature is distilled into…
Top of the list is Title(Japanese): 円形図案集 (1700), Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts, Осака. Right behind it: Fukurokuju (1700) and Hotei (1704).
42 years old. Ogata Kōrin was born in 1658, and Title(Japanese): 円形図案集 dates from 1700.
Title(Japanese): 円形図案集, Fukurokuju, Hotei, Rabbits under the Moon, Peonies, and Hollyhocks, Pheasant, Chrysanthemums by a Stream, Seiobo, Plum Tree, Writing box, Design of Yatsu-hashi bridge and Flowers of Spring and Autumn. You'll find the year and the museum of each in the list above.
We have 36 works by Ogata Kōrin in our catalogue, dated 1687 to 1709.
You'll find most of them in Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), Cleveland Museum of Art (Cleveland) and Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts (Осака). The museum list above has the full breakdown.
In 1700s, more than any other time: 12 of the 36 pieces on this page date from then, Title(Japanese): 円形図案集 among them.
The earliest piece here is Pheasant (1687); the most recent is Irises at Yatsuhashi (Eight Bridges) (1709).
Traditional japan (7), Japanese art (4) and Japanese flowers (3), out of the 36 pieces on this page.
Rinpa, as you can see in the pieces on this page.
You can see 13 of the pieces on this page at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, including Irises at Yatsuhashi (Eight Bridges), Rabbits and Preliminary Drawing of Three Deer Mounted on a Hanging-scroll Painting of Flowering Bush Clover.
Yes. Every painting on this page is available as a hand-painted oil reproduction or a print, in the size that suits you. Just open the painting's page to order.
Ogata Kōrin (1658-1716) stands as a pivotal figure in Japanese art history, a master whose vibrant paintings and innovative designs profoundly shaped the Rinpa school. Born into a wealthy merchant family dedicated to textiles in Kyoto, Kōrin’s artistic journey was one of late blossoming, transforming him from a youthful dilettante into a celebrated artist renowned for his breathtaking byōbu folding screens and exquisite depictions of nature. His legacy endures not only through his iconic works but also through his influence on generations of artists, most notably Sakai Hōitsu, who championed and popularized Kōrin’s distinctive style.
Kōrin's early life was steeped in the traditions of Kyoto’s elite. His father, Ogata Sōken, a respected calligrapher and patron of Noh theater, instilled in his sons an appreciation for the arts. While initially more inclined towards social pursuits, Kōrin received a formal artistic education, likely influenced by the teachings of the Kanō school, though definitive proof remains elusive. Crucially, he was deeply impacted by the works of his great-granduncle, Hon'ami Kōetsu, and the painter Tawaraya Sōtatsu – the foundational figures of the Rinpa school itself. These predecessors’ emphasis on naturalism, meticulous detail, and a revolutionary approach to color theory served as the bedrock for Kōrin’s own artistic development.
Kōrin's emergence as a significant artist occurred later in life, around 1701-1705. This period witnessed the creation of his most celebrated works, including the iconic “Irises” (a pair of six-panel byōbu screens now designated a National Treasure). These paintings are not merely representations of nature; they are meticulously constructed compositions brimming with symbolism and demonstrating Kōrin’s mastery of color, texture, and perspective. The vibrant hues, achieved through the skillful use of mineral pigments and organic materials on silk or paper, were revolutionary for their time, moving away from the more restrained palettes favored by earlier schools.
Beyond “Irises,” Kōrin's oeuvre encompasses a diverse range of subjects – plum blossoms, cranes and pine trees (a traditional symbol of longevity), and even scenes depicting everyday life. However, it is his folding screens that truly define his artistic legacy. The “Red and White Plum Blossoms” screens (painted circa 1714-1715) exemplify this mastery, showcasing a dynamic interplay of color and form within a carefully orchestrated composition. These works are not simply decorative; they represent a sophisticated understanding of aesthetics and symbolism, reflecting the values of the Edo period.
Kōrin’s artistic technique was characterized by an extraordinary attention to detail and a profound understanding of materials. He employed a unique approach to color mixing, utilizing mineral pigments – such as safflower red, ultramarine blue, and malachite green – alongside organic dyes to achieve astonishingly rich and luminous effects. His use of gold leaf, meticulously applied to the paper, added an ethereal quality to his paintings, creating a shimmering depth that captivated viewers.
Furthermore, Kōrin’s mastery extended beyond painting; he was also a skilled lacquerer and designer of decorative objects like *makie* (relief designs) and *inrō* (medicine cases). These works demonstrate his versatility and his ability to seamlessly integrate artistic principles across various mediums. His innovative approach to design—particularly in the realm of textiles—influenced fashion trends throughout the Edo period.
Ogata Kōrin’s impact on Japanese art is immeasurable. He didn't merely continue a tradition; he revitalized and consolidated the Rinpa school, establishing it as a dominant force in the artistic landscape of his time. His work served as a model for subsequent generations of artists, most notably Sakai Hōitsu, who meticulously copied Kōrin’s paintings and disseminated his style throughout Japan. Hōitsu's efforts ensured that Kōrin’s legacy would endure long after the artist’s death.
Today, Kōrin’s masterpieces are housed primarily at the Museum of Art in Atami, Shizuoka Prefecture, a testament to their enduring value and significance. His work continues to inspire artists and art enthusiasts alike, offering a glimpse into the vibrant world of Edo-period Japan and the genius of one of its most celebrated painters.
