Su Shi Riding a Donkey 1400 - 1433

Bokudō Sojun rendered this ink painting of Su Shi on paper during the Muromachi period. The central motif, Su Shi riding a donkey, is rich with symbolism. Su Shi, a scholar-official of the Song Dynasty, embodies a life of cultured leisure, a figure celebrated for poetry and calligraphy rather than political power. This image echoes motifs of wise men or philosophers in procession throughout art history. The donkey, often seen as humble, elevates Su Shi's journey to a realm of introspection and simplicity. Think of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, or even Dionysus, the god of wine, in ancient Greek art. The notion of a learned man on a donkey carries its own potency across cultures. This recurs as a symbol of detachment from worldly concerns. In our collective psyche, this image reminds us of the cyclical quest for knowledge and the human desire for enlightenment.