A Life Woven with Ink and Peach Hirowatari Koshu (1737–1784), a name perhaps less heralded than some of his contemporaries, remains a quietly compelling figure within the rich tapestry of Edo-period Japanese art. Born in Nagasaki, a vital port city that fostered both artistic exchange and mercantile activity, Koshu’s life unfolded during a time of significant social and cultural transformation – a period marked by increasing openness to foreign influences while simultaneously upholding deeply ingrained traditions. Details surrounding his early training remain somewhat elusive, shrou…