Tosa Mitsusada: A Revivalist of Tradition and the Soul of the Tale of Genji Tosa Mitsusada, born in Sakai, Japan in 1738 and passing away in 1806, stands as a pivotal figure in Japanese art history. He wasn’t merely an artist; he was a dedicated custodian of the Tosa school, a movement striving to recapture the spirit of ancient yamato-e – paintings rooted in pre-Buddhist Japanese aesthetics – and, crucially, a temporary champion of its revival. His legacy is inextricably linked with the iconic *Tale of Genji*, where his illuminated handscrolls remain among the most celebrated examples of th…