The painters in your collection are commonly described simply as "Individualist." Can you elaborate on what is meant by that?
The Japanese do not know where to put these artists, and the Japanese like to have a cubbyhole for every single thing: "You're from the Maruyama-Shijo school [which promoted the importance of firsthand observation], or you're a Rimpa [natural style on gold background] painter." Somebody like Jakuchu comes along, and he doesn't fit any mold. They don't know where to put him. Then you have a man like Nagasawa Rosetsu, who is like Maruyama Oukyo [founder of the Maruyama-Shijo school], but is so good that he overtakes him. And they throw him out, or he quits, or he was murdered -- you don't know really what's true. They just cannot categorize him, and the Maruyama-Shijo school won't take him. They have the 10 greatest painters or students and they don't include him -- one of the greatest of all artists. They should put him there, but he doesn't fit . . . so what do they do with him? They put him in with Jakuchu. And then there is Soga Shohaku, who really was an individual, so they also stick him in there. And they just think up a name, "Individualist."
How could they gain a reputation without being a part of a school?