Nanboku gōitsu

Japanese art

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July 1, 2026

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Nanboku gōitsu, meaning "South and East school," was a Japanese painting style founded by Tani Bunchō in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This eclectic school drew inspiration from Chinese, Japanese, and Western art. Nanboku gōitsu artists incorporated elements from the Southern Chinese literati painting (Nan-ga) and the Northern Chinese school (Hoku-ga), as well as traditional Japanese Yamato-e. A key innovation was the introduction of Western perspective, which Tani Bunchō further refined with his students. While known for technical skill and realism, particularly in portraits, some works are noted for lacking spontaneity.1

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Tani Bunchō
…new school of painting called Nanboku gōitsu, or the South and East school, and he introduced the use of Western perspective, a technique further refined by his most famous pupil, Watanabe Kazan. While his technique was outstanding and his knowledge of art considerable, his paintings frequently lack a spontaneous quality.…
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…new school of painting called Nanboku gōitsu, or the South and East school, and he introduced the use of Western perspective, a technique further refined by his most famous pupil, Watanabe Kazan. While his technique was outstanding and his knowledge of art considerable, his paintings frequently lack a spontaneous quality.…
Read More