江戸の染物屋の子として生まれ、1813年ごろ、琳派の画家・酒井抱一の内弟子になりました。のちに兄弟子・鈴木蠣潭のあとをついで鈴木家に入り、師をささえながら腕をみがきます。抱一が亡くなると、くっきりした色と大胆な構図で独自の世界を開きました。根津美術館の《夏秋渓流図屏風》などで知られ、江戸琳派を代表する一人です。
Kiitsu was born in Edo, the son of a dyer. Around 1813 he became a live-in pupil of the Rinpa painter Sakai Hōitsu. Later he took over the Suzuki family from a senior pupil, Suzuki Reitan, and supported his master while improving his skills. After Hōitsu died, Kiitsu created his own world with sharp colors and bold designs. Known for works such as Streams in Summer and Autumn at the Nezu Museum, he is one of the great painters of Edo Rinpa.
