Jizō Playing a Flute 1670
kanotanyu
minneapolisinstituteofart
hanging-scroll
aged paper
toned paper
water colours
japan
tea stained
hanging-scroll
coloured pencil
coffee painting
watercolour bleed
watercolour illustration
limited palette
watercolor
"Jizō Playing a Flute" is a hanging scroll created in 1670 by Kano Tan'yū, a prominent figure in the Kano school of Japanese painting. The artwork depicts Jizō, a bodhisattva, playing a flute amidst a mountainous landscape and clouds. The delicate brushwork and elegant composition are characteristic of Tan'yū's style. The scroll showcases his mastery of ink and wash techniques, creating a serene and contemplative scene that reflects the spiritual significance of the subject. This work is a testament to the enduring power of Japanese Buddhist art and its ability to evoke a sense of peace and tranquility.
Comments
In this painting by the renowned Kano School master, Kano Tan’yū, the salvific bodhisattva Jizō (Sanskrit: Ksitigarbha) descends from the sky on a wisp of cloud. In a unique take on Jizō imagery thought to have been invented by Tan’yū himself, the youthful bodhisattva plays a flute and wears a lotus leaf atop his head. Although images of a flute-playing Jizō are exceedingly rare, Mary Burke had two examples by Tan’yū in her collection.
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