A Merchant’s Brush: The Life and Landscapes of Kuwayama Gyokushū Kuwayama Gyokushū, a name perhaps less familiar than some of his contemporaries, represents a fascinating intersection of worlds in Edo-period Japan. Born in 1746 and passing away in 1799, Gyokushū’s life was not one traditionally devoted to art from its inception. He was, first and foremost, a successful shipping merchant and farmer – a man deeply rooted in the practica…