A painter from the first half of the Edo era. Some believe that Tawaraya Sosetsu was a son or a student of Tawaraya Sotatsu, based on his claim to the Tawaraya name. Although he used the same Inen seal as Sotatsu, this theory remains unconfirmed. Regardless, Sosetsu is thought to have been one of the most important painters in Sotatsu’s studio. He became a Hokkyo (the third highest rank for Buddhist priests) by 1642, and later served the Kaga-Maeda family. His major works include Akikusazu (“Autumn Plants”), Ryukozu (“Dragon and Tiger”), and Folding screens of Gunkakuzu (“Flock of Cranes”) among others.