Hanshan and Shide
This diptych by the poet-painter Yosa Buson portrays a pair of quasi-historical Chan eccentrics of the eighth century. On the right, the carefree Hanshan (Japanese: Kanzan) carries a scroll for writing poetry. Shide (Japanese: Jittoku), seen from behind, is partly obscured by a large bamboo hat; the broom he holds recalls his role as a temple janitor. Hanshan and Shide represent the iconoclastic quest of Zen Buddhism and were a popular theme in painting and poetry.
Buson employed brusque brushwork complemented by pale color washes. The flowing robes are outlined with a large brush, demonstrating calligraphic bravura. For the hair, Buson’s use of a dry and forked brush over wet ink washes creates a tousled, rough quality that captures the hermits’ untamed nature.
Buson employed brusque brushwork complemented by pale color washes. The flowing robes are outlined with a large brush, demonstrating calligraphic bravura. For the hair, Buson’s use of a dry and forked brush over wet ink washes creates a tousled, rough quality that captures the hermits’ untamed nature.
Artwork Details
- 与謝蕪村筆 寒山拾得図
- Title: Hanshan and Shide
- Artist: Yosa Buson (Japanese, 1716–1783)
- Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
- Date: early 1770s
- Culture: Japan
- Medium: Diptych of hanging scrolls; ink and color on paper
- Dimensions: Image (each): 55 × 23 3/16 in. (139.7 × 58.9 cm)
Overall with mounting (each): 84 1/4 × 27 5/16 in. (214 × 69.4 cm) - Classification: Paintings
- Credit Line: Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2022
- Object Number: 2022.432.16a, b
- Curatorial Department: Asian Art
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Yosa Buson
ca. 1780
Yosa Buson
18th century
Yosa Buson
late 18th century
Returned to lender
Yosa Buson
ca. 1772–80
Returned to lender
Yosa Buson
ca. 1778
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