Hōtei Pointing to the Moon 1400 - 1471

Shinno Noami painted "Hōtei Pointing to the Moon" in ink on paper during the Muromachi period in Japan, a time of significant cultural and artistic development shaped by Zen Buddhism and the rise of the samurai class. Hōtei, a semi-historical Chinese monk often seen as a symbol of contentment and abundance, is depicted here pointing towards the moon. This simple gesture transcends mere visual representation. In Zen Buddhism, the moon symbolizes enlightenment, a truth that can be directly experienced. Noami, who was an art advisor to the Ashikaga shogunate, infuses this scroll with a Zen sensibility that favors suggestion over explicit depiction. The loose brushwork and the spacious composition invite contemplation. What does it mean to find enlightenment? Can it be indicated but not fully captured? This image encourages us to question the nature of reality and our own paths to understanding.