Kose Kanaoka
Kose Kanaoka (巨勢 金岡, Kose no Kanaoka) was a ninth-century Japanese artist, court painter of Heian (Kyoto).
Work
Known as someone who pursued and added depth to the style unique to Japanese-style painting, and he is said to be the one who rendered distinguished service by establishing the style of Yamato-e painting (a traditional Japanese style painting of the late Heian and Kamakura periods dealing with Japanese themes) that no longer had the influence of kara-e painting (Chinese-style painting). Furthermore, his descendants later formed a circle of painters known as the Kose school, and it greatly influenced the fields of kyuutei-ga (court paintings) and Buddhist paintings.. Though few of his works have survived, he is known to have painted landscapes and portraits. He also founded the Kose School of Art, which is named for him. He made the first tonal gradation, and the first Buddha in crayonnage style. This school changed Chinese style paintings with Chinese themes into Japanese style.[1]