Kakemono Bodhidharma with Calligraphy of Silence

One of a kind — this work exists only once.

Period:
Shôwa (1926–1989)
Dimensions (height x width):
200 x 48 cm
Item number:
5163

This piece has been sold.

Sold – no longer available

This piece was a handmade one-of-a-kind work. It cannot be reordered and will never exist in this form again. The page stays online as part of our archive.

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Details about the sold piece

  • JikusakiSculpture
  • Material HonshiPaper
  • MotifBuddhism and Zen, Calligraphy, Daruma
  • TechniqueHand-Painted

Description

With sparing but confidently placed lines, the standing figure of Bodhidharma, the legendary founder of Zen Buddhism, emerges in the lower part of this kakemono. His robe is indicated with a few long, sweeping brushstrokes, while the head and facial features are executed with greater care, lending the monk an alert, inward-turned expression.

Above the figure stands a single, large character meaning "stillness" or "silence." In Zen Buddhism, this concept stands for the insight that lies beyond words, and thus corresponds directly with Bodhidharma's restrained, meditative bearing – a typical combination in spontaneous Zenga painting, which unites image and character into a single thematic whole.

The work was painted by hand on paper in the Shôwa period. The hanging scroll has jikusaki made of plastic and is a quiet, striking object for lovers of Zen art.

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