Kanzan
Maker
Unknown Artist
SealSeal of
Tani Buncho
(Japanese, 1763 - 1840)
Daten.d.
MediumHanging scroll, ink and light color on paper
DimensionsPanel: 54 × 16 5/8 in. (137.2 × 42.2 cm)
Credit LineGift of Robert W. Christy
Object number1998.27
Object TypePaintings
On View
Not on viewThe painter Tani Buncho was as prolific as he was eclectic. Although he is better known for his detailed landscapes and book illustrations, the loose, expressive brushwork used in this painting is in keeping with the subject, the Zen hero Jittoku (in Chinese, Shide) an eccentric Chinese hermit.
Usually depicted with a broom, Jittoku worked in a monastery kitchen and gave leftovers from the kitchen to his friend and fellow eccentric Kazan. While these to legendary figures are often portrayed together, Jittoku is alone. In a moment of inspiration, and perhaps a reference to Kazan who was famous for his Zen verse, Jittoku brushed a cryptic line of four Chinese characters on the face of a cliff.
Usually depicted with a broom, Jittoku worked in a monastery kitchen and gave leftovers from the kitchen to his friend and fellow eccentric Kazan. While these to legendary figures are often portrayed together, Jittoku is alone. In a moment of inspiration, and perhaps a reference to Kazan who was famous for his Zen verse, Jittoku brushed a cryptic line of four Chinese characters on the face of a cliff.
