Artist: Kanō Naizen
Date: 601
Size: 111.7cm x 47.4cm
Technique: Paper
Zheng Huangniu, at right, and Yushanzhu, at left, were two legendary Chinese Chan (Japanese: Zen) monks often paired in Japanese painting beginning in the early Muromachi period. Zheng Huangniu (Japanese: Seiōgyū), whose name means “Zheng of the Yellow Ox,” is known for riding a yellow ox to which he attached various objects, such as water jars and books. As is common in later Japanese examples, here Zheng rides his ox backwards. Yushanzhu (Japanese: Ikuzanshu, “Master of Mount Yu”) is said to have gained enlightenment when he fell off his donkey while riding across a bridge. The poetic inscriptions, rendered in a crisp and brusquely brushed style, are by Takuan Sōhō, one of the most influential Zen monks of his day. Right scroll:A man of the Waysits at ease, without a care,astride a yellow ox, detachedfrom the wind and dust of the world.He has left the hermitageof his garden,and from the ox’s horn hangs a sprigof peony from the Yao or Wei.Casually inscribed by the recluse monkNanzan Takuan.Left scroll:Having crossed the plank bridge again,seeking emptiness in vain,I embark on a journeywith no destination in mind.Blue mountains and green waterssurround the mounted traveler,as the rights and wrongs in the transient worldbreeze past the horse’s ears.Painting of the Master of Mount Yu Riding aDonkey, casually inscribed bySokuin Hissū Takuan—Trans. Shi-yee Liu
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