Chō Kōran

Japanese Poet And Artist

Chō Kōran was born in Ōgaki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan on April 24th, 1804 and is the Japanese Poet And Artist. At the age of 74, Chō Kōran biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.

Date of Birth
April 24, 1804
Nationality
Japan
Place of Birth
Ōgaki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan
Death Date
Mar 29, 1879 (age 74)
Zodiac Sign
Taurus
Profession
Artist, Poet, Writer
Chō Kōran Height, Weight, Eye Color and Hair Color

At 74 years old, Chō Kōran physical status not available right now. We will update Chō Kōran's height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, and measurements.

Height
Not Available
Weight
Not Available
Hair Color
Not Available
Eye Color
Not Available
Build
Not Available
Measurements
Not Available
Chō Kōran Religion, Education, and Hobbies
Religion
Not Available
Hobbies
Not Available
Education
Not Available
Chō Kōran Spouse(s), Children, Affair, Parents, and Family
Spouse(s)
Yanagawa Seigan
Children
Not Available
Dating / Affair
Not Available
Parents
Not Available
Chō Kōran Career

As a teenager, Kōran studied Chinese poetry under the instruction of well-known poet Yanagawa Seigan (1789–1858), and their relationship developed into something more. When Kōran was 17, she married Seigan.

The couple traveled across Japan after their marriage, meeting fellow scholars, poets and artists, alongside new patrons. In 1822, Kōran and Seigan became founding members of the Hakuosha (White Seagull) Poetry Society. Kōran's interest in Chinese arts increased. After several years of travel, the couple settled in Kyoto. Kōran studied a type of ink art called bunjinga – styled after Chinese literati painting – and her reputation as an artist began to flourish. She drew attention for her ink paintings in the "Four Gentlemen" genre, creating images of bamboo, orchid, plum, and chrysanthemum. Kōran often inscribed poems on her paintings. She sometimes collaborated with fellow Japanese painter Yoshida Shuran, who was known for her paintings of orchids. By 1830, Kōran was listed as a specialist of bunjinga in the publication Heian jinbutsu shi (Record of Heian [Kyoto] Notables).

In 1832, the couple moved to Edo (now Tokyo), and Seigan founded a school. Kōran's talent as a painter was attracting public notice, and an illustration of one of her bamboo paintings was included in the Hyaku meika gafu (Album of Calligraphy and Painting by 100 Artists), published in 1837. Four years later, Kōran published a book of her poems titled Kōran kōshu (selected poems by Kōran). With her earnings from the sale of her paintings, Kōran was now able to supplement her husband's income.

In 1845, the couple moved to Ōgaki, a town in Gifu Prefecture. Kōran began learning to play the Chinese qin, a seven-stringed zither instrument. During their time in Edo, they had become acquainted with people who were pursuing government reforms, and by the 1850s authorities had begun to persecute reformers. In 1858, several of Kōran and Seigan's friends were arrested, and the couple found themselves under similar suspicion. Seigan fell abruptly ill with cholera, dying that same year, and Kōran was arrested by authorities and kept in prison for six months.

After being released from prison, Kōran proceeded to establish her own private school, where she taught Chinese poetry to other women and girls. Kōran continued to write poetry and paint bunjinga, remaining active in the literary and artistic community for the rest of her life.

Source