Images(3)

Kanzan and Jittoku

Dateca. 1770

Label TextZenga (Zen painting) includes primarily didactic paintings and calligraphy made by Zen monks from the Edo period onward. Portrayals of two legendary hermits, Kanzan and Jittoku (known as Hanshan and Shide in Chinese), who lived at a mountain temple during the Tang dynasty in China, were a favorite subject associated with their legends and poems. Here we see the unkempt pair depicted by spontaneous but graceful brushwork, Kanzan and Jittoku (holding a broom) innocently looking up at the moon. Rinzai-sect monk Suio Genro (1717-1789) was one of the two greatest pupils of Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768), who was revered as the most important Zen artist. Although in his youth Suio loved drinking and painting more than Zen meditation and reading sutras, after Hakuin's death he succeeded his master, teaching pupils at the temple Shoinji in Shizuoka prefecture.

Object number82.160

Photo CreditPhoto: Paul Macapia

Exhibition HistorySeattle, Washington, Seattle Art Museum, "Refined Harmony: Decorative Arts from the Edo Period", March 7, 2003 - March 23, 2004

Credit LineGift of Kurt and Millie Gitter, in honor of William Rathbun and in honor of the museum's 50th year

Dimensions10 15/16 x 40 3/8 in. (27.8 x 102.6 cm) Overall h.: 62 in. Overall w.: 12 1/2 in.

MediumInk on paper