1814 (Bunka 11) – 1894 (Meiji 27)
Mori Kansai was a Japanese painter active during the late Edo period and into the Meiji era. Born the son of a samurai of the Chōshū (Hagi) domain, his original surname was Ishida. His childhood name was Kōkichi, later changed to Naotarō, and his courtesy name was Shiyō.
In 1831 (Tenpō 2), he moved to Osaka and became a disciple of Mori Tetsuzan, under whom he studied the Maruyama school of painting. Later, he was adopted by Tetsuzan.
In 1855 (Ansei 2), Kansai participated in the reconstruction of the Kyoto Imperial Palace, contributing his brushwork. During the turbulent Bakumatsu period, he actively engaged in national affairs and frequently traveled between Chōshū and Kyoto as a secret emissary. He was closely associated with imperial loyalists and maintained a lifelong friendship with Shinagawa Yajirō.
After the Meiji Restoration, Kansai became involved with the Kyoto art society Jōunsha, and following the death of Shiokawa Bunrin, he emerged as a central figure in both the society and the broader Kyoto art world.
He received numerous awards at expositions, and in 1880 (Meiji 13) was appointed to the Kyoto Prefectural Painting School. In 1886 (Meiji 19), he became president of the Kyoto Youth Painting Research Society, and in 1890 (Meiji 23), he was named an Imperial Household Artist (Teishitsu Gigei-in).