Matsuo Gassan (松尾月山) was born in September of 1815 and he passed away on March 18, 1875. He was the son of Yorotsuya Iemon. He was the adopted son of Tantoiya of Ôsaka. He was a student of Ôtsuki Mitsuoki (大月光興) and Kawarabayashi Hideoki (川原林秀興). He began his studies at the age of 12 and finished at the age of 25 when he became an independent artist. He later had students of his own. He developed the Kongôsai school. He also worked in the Tanaka Kiyotoshi (田中清壽) school style, but he developed a school style of his own. He worked in Kyôto.
As stated, his family name was Matsuo (松尾). His art names were Ganshôsai (鴈省斎), Kiroku (喜六), Kinryûsai (金龍斎), Kongôsai (金剛斎), Toshioki (利興), Toshioki (寿興), Tôsôtei (東窓亭), and Yôshôtei (鷹松亭).
