Matsumoto Hoji

Matsumoto Hōji (松本 奉時, date of birth unknownSeptember 30, 1800 , Osaka ), also known as Shusuke (周助/周介) and Hōji Dojin (奉時道人), was a mid-Edo period painter and picture framer. He was particularly fond of and skilled at ink-wash zenga paintings, especially those of Japanese toads.

Life He was active in Tenmei (1781–1788) and Kansei (1789–1801) eras. He hailed from Osaka, living in neighborhood.

He loved frogs, and was not satisfied with just raising and breeding them. He collected various frog-related items and often painted frogs. , and there are also works that were influenced by Jakuchū. His other friends included Kimura Kenkadō and .

There are several ink paintings of the same composition as the Toad, a representative work of Hōji, which are painted with large, dynamic brushstrokes. Many of these works are accompanied by inscriptions (san) by the Osaka poet and it is believed the combination of Kansai’s poetry/inscriptions with Hōji’s painting was especially popular.

Hōji considered a dream of a dragon he had during the 6 year of Tenmei era (1786) to be a good omen, and from then on he actively began collecting calligraphy and paintings. He compiled the works he collected into art albums such as "Hōji Seiganjo" (奉時清玩帖) and treasured them as he asked the leading calligraphers, painters, and writers of the time to write their own works. In “Various Famous Masters’ Cooperation (by Matsumoto Hōji)" (諸名家合作(松本奉時に依る)), in addition to Jakuchū, there are contributions from a splendid lineup of artists from Kyoto and Osaka, such as Jiun Onkō, , Nakai Chikuzan, , , , , , , , , Mori Sosen, Kimura Kenkadō, , Nagasawa Rosetsu, , , Matsumura Goshun. On one album page Kimura Kenkadō drew "monkeys in bamboo" (竹に猿) with a brush, and the lower-left is stamped with Hōji’s own collector’s seal.

Works Toad Painting/Frog Painting (Gama-zu – 蝦蟇図／蛙図) – multiple versions exist. White Elephant Painting (Byakuzō-zu = 白象図) – inscribed in the painting that it follows the style of Ito Jakuchū, in private collection. Daikokuten Painting (Daikokuten-zu - 大黒天図) – in the collection of temple. Frog Album (蛙画帖) – by Matsumoto Hōji. Meika Gafu (名画画譜) – compiled by , with contributions by Matsumoto Hōji and others.

Albums Hōji Seigan-chō (奉時清玩帖) Various Famous Masters’ Cooperation (by Matsumoto Hōji) (諸名家合作（松本奉時に依る）) - dated Kansei 8–10 (1796–1798)