Poem

The subject is a poem, “Chiku (take) Sekijitsu yugen shiki ichigeki shishi shikai sei kasei”. Five columns of characters, one very large character.

Maker(s)
Artist: Obaku Nangen 南源性派 (1631-1692)
Historical period(s)
Edo period, 1671
School
Obaku
Medium
Ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W (image): 27.1 × 60.5 cm (10 11/16 × 23 13/16 in)
Geography
Japan
Credit Line
Purchase — Charles Lang Freer Endowment
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1989.64
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Calligraphy
Type

Hanging scroll

Keywords
Edo period (1615 - 1868), Japan
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

The subject is a poem, "Chiku (take) Sekijitsu yugen shiki ichigeki shishi shikai sei kasei". Five columns of characters, one very large character.

Marking(s)

Seals: "Goso goho," "Seiha no in" and "Takushi Nangen".

Label

Poetic couplet by Nanyuan Xingpai 南源性派 (Nangen Shōha, 1631–1692), in running-cursive script

竹
昔日香嚴曾一擊 ， 至今四海播嘉聲 。
辛亥冬日 ， 黃檗南源書

“Bamboo”
Once long ago Xiangyan heard a single pebble strike it,
Until today that splendid sound spreads across the seas.
Written by Huangbo Nanyuan (Jp: Obaku Nangen) on a winter day in the xinhai (Jp: shingai) year (1671)

(Translation by Stephen D. Allee)

Seals: (3)
Wutan wufeng (Jp: Goso goho)『五潭五峰』 (rectangle relief) – upper right
Xingpai zhi yin (Jp: Shōha no in)『性派之印』(square relief)–after signature, top
Shi shi Nanyuan (Jp: Takushi Nangen)『釋氏南源』 (square intaglio)–after signature, bottom

This couplet refers to the enlightenment (satori) of the late-Tang dynasty Chan (Zen) monk Xiangyan Zhixian 香嚴智閑 (died 898), a younger contemporary of, and from the same religious lineage as, Huangbo Xiyun 黃檗希運 (Jp: Obaku Kiun, died 850) and Linji Yixuan 臨濟義玄 (Jp: Rinzai Gigen, died 866), founders of the Zen sect to which Nanyuan later belonged. One day when Xiangyan was sweeping the walkway by his retreat, a pebble flew off his broom striking the nearby bamboo. The sharp report of its impact triggered his sudden enlightenment.

Collection Area(s)
Japanese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
SI Usage Statement

Usage Conditions Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery welcome information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

citation | Save this image How to download an image | Request Permission | Terms of Use