Kanzan and Jittoku

ca. 1770

Japanese

Zenga (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.

Ink on paper

10 15/16 x 40 3/8 in. (27.8 x 102.6 cm)

Overall h.: 62 in.

Overall w.: 12 1/2 in.

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

82.160

Not currently on view

Resources

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

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