Sketches of People (Jinbutsu sōga) 人物艸画

Art Historical Context

**Sketches of People (butsu sōga)**, created by the Japanese artist Kokan in 1724, is a delightful illustrated book from Japan's Edo period (16151868). This compact, measuring just 10⅝ × 7⅛ inches, features ink drawings on paper capturing the essence of human figures in a lively, sketch-like style known as *sōga*—often translated as "grass painting," evoking the fluid, spontaneous strokes of nature. Produced during a time of relative peace and urban flourishing, such works reflect the growing fascination with everyday life and portraiture in Japanese art. Kokan’s sketches likely served as bot...