Takahashi Sohei 高橋草坪

高橋草坪 Takahashi Sohei (1802-1833)
Nanga artist of the late Edo period. Born into a merchant family in Bungo (Oita Prefecture). Studied under 田能村竹田 Tanomura Chikuden (1777-1835) at the age of 19. Chikuden loved and recognized his talent, saying that Sohei’ｓ well-done work was excellent than his own. There is an anecdote that 浦上春琴 Uragami Shunkin (1779-1846), 25 years older than Sohei, mistook Sohei's landscape paintings, which he had not yet seen, for the works of a famous ancient Chinese painter. His name was well known in Kyoto and Osaka. However, he suffered from a chest ailment and died before Chikuden. His works range from elegant to heavy and serious.