The intimate scale, informality of the figures’ poses, and landscape setting link the painting to Chan-style depictions of Shakyamuni — the human origin of the Buddha — as an ascetic descending from the mountains just prior to achieving Buddhahood…
Buddhist art
Mishima Pass, Mount Fuji, and the Towering Cypress, by Katsushika Hokusai
Even Mount Fuji in the distance is dwarfed by the monumental tree…
Virtue, Calligraphy by Hakuin
This oversize rendition of the character for “virtue” (toku 悳) reflects the exuberant spiritual energy projected by Hakuin Ekaku, who was one of the foremost proponents of the revival of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism in late Edo Japan. Originally composed by Chinese historian and scholar of Confucianism Sima Guang (1018–1086), the inscription reads:
The Sixth Patriarch of Zen at the Moment of Enlightenment
Hanging scroll; ink on paper Artist: Kano Tan’yū (Japanese, 1602–1674) Edo period (1615–1868) Japan, 1635–45 Photo © Metropolitan Museum of Art This small image, executed with a few brushstrokes in light ink, is Kano Tan’yū’s reiteration of a legendary painting… Read More ›
Nyoirin Kannon
The bodhisattva Kannon (Sanskrit: Avalokiteshvara) manifests in many forms, each of which demonstrates aspects of his compassion and salvific vows…
Prajnaparamita Bodhisattva
The Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom) texts, are said to be closest Buddhists got to putting truth (impossible task) into words.
Buddha Calling the Earth to Witness
Buddhist art: Some Buddha images.
Fragrance of chrysanthemums
Fragrance of chrysanthemums
in Nara there are so many
old Buddha statues
Basho
