Section of the Dream Diary with a Sketch of Mountains 1203 - 1210

This handscroll by Myōe Kōben, titled "Section of the Dream Diary with a Sketch of Mountains" is a work of Japanese ink-and-wash painting dating from 1203–1210. Kōben, a revered Zen Buddhist monk, is known for his calligraphic skills and poetic writings which often accompanied his paintings. The sparse landscape depicted here with its simple brushstrokes and minimalist composition is a testament to the Zen Buddhist aesthetic of simplicity and quiet contemplation. The scroll’s text is a record of the artist’s dreams, offering a unique glimpse into his mind and spiritual world. The scroll is now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.