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The Gateway Character “Lotus”

Inscription by Mu'an Xingtao (Mokuan Shōtō) Chinese
Inscription by Jifei Ruyi (Sokuhi Nyoitsu) Chinese
late 17th century
Not on view
Three master Ōbaku calligraphers collaborated on this horizontal composition. Yinyuan Longqi initiated the work by inscribing the oversize Chinese character meaning “lotus,” symbolizing purity and spiritual enlightenment as it emerges pristine from muddy waters. His twist of the brush exposes the white paper beneath, suggesting rapid movement. Smaller passages executed by two of his disciples elaborate on the topic of Buddhist enlightenment.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 隠元隆琦筆　木庵性瑫・即非如一賛　「蓮」一字
  • Title: The Gateway Character “Lotus”
  • Artist: Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) (Chinese, 1592–1673)
  • Artist: Inscription by Mu'an Xingtao (Mokuan Shōtō) (Chinese, 1611–1684)
  • Artist: Inscription by Jifei Ruyi (Sokuhi Nyoitsu) (Chinese, 1616–1671)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: late 17th century
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Hanging scroll; ink on paper
  • Dimensions: Image: 12. × 28 3/8 in. (30.5 × 72 cm)
    Overall with mounting: 54 1/2 × 31 9/16 in. (138.5 × 80.2 cm)
  • Classification: Calligraphy
  • Credit Line: Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2024
  • Object Number: 2024.412.8
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
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Handscroll of Calligraphy by Ōbaku Zen Monks, Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) , and 41 other Ōbaku monks Chinese, Forty-three sheets mounted as a pair of handscrolls; ink on paper, Japan
Handscroll of Calligraphy by Ōbaku Zen Monks
Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki)
mid-17th to mid-18th century
“The Way of the patriarchs spans a thousand years”, Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan
“The Way of the patriarchs spans a thousand years”
Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki)
17th or 18th century
“Udumbara Flowers” (Udonge) Temple Plaque, Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) Chinese, Carved wood; lacquer, color, and gold, Japan
“Udumbara Flowers” (Udonge) Temple Plaque
Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki)
carved 1741
Triptych of One-Column Calligraphies on Auspicious Natural Imagery, Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) Chinese, Set of three hanging scrolls: ink on paper, Japan
Triptych of One-Column Calligraphies on Auspicious Natural Imagery
Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki)
1671
One-Column Calligraphy on the Sound of Wind amidst Pines, Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan
One-Column Calligraphy on the Sound of Wind amidst Pines
Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki)
late 17th century

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