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Sōami

1455 – 1525

Japanese artist

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About Sōami

Lived 1455 – 1525 (aged 69–70). Sōami was a Japanese painter, architect and writer.

was a Japanese painter and landscape artist.

Family Sōami was the grandson and son of the painters and art connoisseurs Nōami and Geiami, respectively.

Career Sōami was in the service of the Ashikaga shogunate and is claimed to have designed the rock garden of the Ginkaku-ji temple.

Unlike many of his contemporaries, Sōami's paintings were in the style of China's Southern School; some of his greatest pieces covered over twenty panels, and depicted Japanese landscapes using Chinese methods. His work was among the first nanga or Southern School work in Japan. Sōami is most known for his Landscape of the Four Seasons (Eight Views of the Xiao and Xiang Rivers) (at Archive.org).

Li Bai viewing the waterfall at Mt. Lu, by Soami (d. 1525), Japan, Muromachi period, approx. 1500–1525, hanging scroll, ink on paper - Asian Art Museum of San Francisco

Famous works Ryōan-ji: Zen temple whose rock garden may have been designed by Soami Seika: A style of flower arrangement supported by Soami Daisen-in: A Zen temple noted in part for screen paintings attributed to Soami

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Important facts

Born
1455
Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Nakao Shinsō, Shōsetusai, Kangaku, Soami, Souami

People in Sōami's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Sōami's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Sōami?

Japanese artist (1455-1525)

When was Sōami born?

Sōami was born in 1455.

When did Sōami die?

Sōami died on 12 November 1525.

What was Sōami's occupation?

Sōami was a painter, architect and writer.

What nationality was Sōami?

Sōami was Japanese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Sōami

· Wikidata: Q2746002

· DBpedia: Sōami

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Sōami. https://biography.guide/soami/

MLA: "Sōami." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/soami/.

Chicago: "Sōami." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/soami/.

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