Monk Zhaozhou and Dog, with Geese and Mynah
This work combines three seemingly unrelated subjects in a single, multi-scroll composition, a format common in early Zen devotional painting and adopted widely during the sixteenth century. The central scroll illustrates the Chan monk Zhaozhou Congshen (Jōshū Jūshin, 778–897), perhaps best remembered for his response to the koan “Does a dog have a Buddha nature?” He replied simply, “Wu,” meaning on one level “no.” In a Zen mindset, however, this may have been a short verbal signal to stop the logical process of trying to find an answer. Zhaozhou is flanked by so-called bird-and-flower subjects, originating in China—two geese and autumnal reeds at right, and a mynah atop a tree stump at left. The artist Tōeki belonged to the Unkoku school, painters-in-attendance to the powerful Mōri clan.
Artwork Details
- 雲谷等益筆 趙州狗子・芦雁・叭々鳥図
- Title: Monk Zhaozhou and Dog, with Geese and Mynah
- Artist: Unkoku Tōeki (Japanese, 1591–1644)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: first half 17th century
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Set of three hanging scrolls; ink on paper
- Dimensions: Image (each): 42 3/8 × 18 1/4 in. (107.6 × 46.4 cm)
Overall with mounting (each): 76 1/4 × 21 in. (193.7 × 53.3 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2021
- Object Number: 2021.398.14a–c
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Unkoku Tōeki
17th century
Unkoku Tōeki
Ten'yū Jōkō
probably late 1620s–1644
Kano Tan'yū
mid-17th century
Japan
late 17th century
Kaihō Yūsetsu
mid-17th century
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