Purification Rite 1791 - 1871

This hanging scroll, Purification Rite, was created by Ōtagaki Rengetsu, a Buddhist nun, poet, and artist, who lived through immense social and political upheaval in 19th century Japan. Her life was marred by personal loss; Rengetsu lost two husbands and all her children. Poverty-stricken, she became a nun at the age of 33. Her experiences as a woman undoubtedly shaped her perspective and artistic expression. Rengetsu, meaning “Lotus Moon,” created this work as a visual embodiment of her deep spiritual convictions. The calligraphic script flows down the paper, a visual incantation, with the poem, "As I purify / my heart and look up / at the sky, I leave everything / to you, oh gods." The poem suggests a complete surrender to divine forces, as if the act of writing becomes a ritual of cleansing and devotion. She skillfully uses each stroke to create a tangible connection to the divine, transforming personal suffering into a universal expression of faith.