Ryōzen
The Life and Art of Ryōzen Ryōzen, also known as Ryōzen (良全) or Ryōsen (良詮), was a Buddhist painter and monk active during the Kamakura and Nanbokuchō periods in Japan. While some theories suggest he may have originated from Kyushu or Bohai—based on the inscription Kaiseijin (海西人) found on his works—he is most strongly associated with the Tōfuku-ji temple. His career represents a transitional era in Japanese art history, bridging the…
The Lifeline
Scroll through Ryōzen's working life — artwork by artwork, chapter by chapter — from the earliest dated work to the last. Each thumbnail is pinned at its exact year on the gold axis.
Chapters — Career Periods
The ribbon is divided into shaded bands, one per career chapter. Each chapter groups Ryōzen's works by their historical period — early training, mature practice, final years.
Thumbnails — Dated Works
Every thumbnail is pinned at its precise creation year. A thin gold thread drops from the image to its exact point on the axis. Larger frames mark the artist's masterpieces by rank.
Colour Band — Movement Drift
The gradient bar beneath the axis shifts colour as the dominant art movement changes over time — from the warm golds of the early period through the deeper tones of maturity. It fills progressively as you scroll.