Born in 1558 into the Hon'ami family, renowned sword appraisers of Kyoto. While carrying on the family trade of sword appraisal and polishing, he displayed genius across calligraphy, ceramics, maki-e lacquer, lacquerware, and tea ceremony. His calligraphy placed him among the "Three Brushes of the Kan'ei Era" alongside Konoe Nobutada and Shokado Shojo, establishing the Koetsu-style of calligraphy. As a devout Nichiren Buddhist, he sublimated his faith into artistic expression. In 1615, after the Siege of Osaka, he received land at Takagamine in northern Kyoto from Tokugawa Ieyasu and established an artistic community gathering fellow Nichiren believers who were artists and craftsmen. He collaborated deeply with Tawaraya Sotatsu — producing numerous masterworks in which Sotatsu painted and Koetsu added calligraphy. He died in 1637 at age 80. His activities were inherited by Ogata Korin and others, becoming the fountainhead of Rinpa, a major current of Japanese art.

Free-spirited creativity unconstrained by convention, backed by Lotus Sutra faith. Possessed insatiable curiosity across all art forms and an open character that thrived on collaboration.

The Takagamine village is known as Japan's first comprehensive art community. The Rinpa aesthetic influences modern design. The National Treasure "Funabashi Maki-e Writing Box" is a pinnacle of Japanese craft.