Poem by Gyokuzan c. early 19th century

ink-on-paper, hanging-scroll

natural stone pattern

rippled sketch texture

natural shape and form

hand written

textured paper

japan

ink-on-paper

grainy texture

hanging-scroll

chalky texture

carved into stone

natural texture

organic texture

calligraphy

"Poem by Gyokuzan" is a Japanese calligraphy work by Rai San’yō, a renowned scholar and writer, dating back to the early 19th century. The artwork, currently housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcases San’yō’s masterful brushstrokes and his deep understanding of Chinese calligraphy, a popular art form in Japan during this period. The text, written in a flowing and elegant script, is a poem by Gyokuzan, a renowned Zen Buddhist monk. San’yō’s calligraphy, known for its precision and expressiveness, allows the poem's meaning to be felt as much as read, inviting viewers to appreciate the beauty of both the words and the artistic execution.