Nakabayashi Chikutō


Nakabayashi Chikutō, originally Nariaki was a Japanese painter in the nanga style. His other art names include Chūtan, Taigen’an and Tōzan Inshi.

Life and work

He was the son of a doctor and displayed an interest in art at a very early age. At the age of fourteen, he and his friend, Yamamoto Baiitsu made the acquaintance of Kamiya Ten’yū, a wealthy merchant who collected art and calligraphy and helped them pursue their artistic education. His first works were copies made from Kamiya's collection. He was especially influenced by ink drawings from the period of the Chinese Yuan Dynasty and the painting techniques of Ni Zan. At the age of twenty, he opened his own studio in a small temple.
After Kamiya's death, he and Baiitsu went to Kyoto to pursue an interest in classical literature and became members of the literary circle focused on the philosopher Rai San'yō and the nanga artist. He continued his training there and, together with Uragami, he wrote and published an illustrated book on painting called Gadō kongōsho. He would later compose other works on his own, including Chikutō garon and Chikutō gakyō.
His son,, also became a painter and worked in the Chinese Northern Style. His daughter Kiyomi created some works in the style of the Southern School.

Selected works

From the book Yūsai gafu, published by Chikutō's students.