White-robed Kannon c. 17th century

Here we see a hanging scroll, ‘White-robed Kannon,’ painted with ink and color on paper by Kano Tan’yū in the 17th century. Tan’yū was an official painter for the Tokugawa shogunate, and he produced many works which reflect the interests and values of the military government. During this period, Zen Buddhism significantly influenced Japanese art and culture. The bodhisattva Kannon, a figure revered in Buddhism, is depicted seated in meditation, framed by a luminous halo. The flowing lines and soft washes create a sense of serenity and otherworldly calm. Traditionally Kannon is often depicted as female, but here Tan’yū’s representation adopts a more androgynous or non-gendered form, aligning with the Buddhist idea of transcending gender. The monochromatic palette emphasizes the spiritual nature of the deity, while also mirroring the Zen aesthetic of simplicity and restraint. Tan’yū's Kannon embodies the virtues of compassion and enlightenment. In its ethereal beauty, this artwork invites contemplation, offering a vision of inner peace and spiritual awakening.