京都の大きな呉服屋「雁金屋」を営む家に生まれました。父の遺産で遊びくらしたあと、お金に困って本格的に絵の道へ進んだと言われます。宗達に学んだ大胆なデザインで、国宝《燕子花図屏風》《紅白梅図屏風》を描きました。「琳派」という名前は、光琳の「琳」からとられています。弟は陶芸家の尾形乾山です。
Kōrin was born into the family that ran Kariganeya, a large kimono shop in Kyoto. It is said he spent much of his inheritance on pleasure and then turned seriously to painting when money ran low. Learning from Sōtatsu, he created bold designs like the National Treasures Irises and Red and White Plum Blossoms. The name 'Rinpa' comes from the 'rin' in Kōrin. His younger brother was the potter Ogata Kenzan.
