Zen-schildering en kalligrafie 1779 - 1868

Sōzan Genkyō made this Zen painting and calligraphy scroll in 19th-century Japan. The artwork combines an ink drawing with stylized writing, reflecting the core values of Zen Buddhism. The figure depicted is likely Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism. The style is spare, with quick, simple brushstrokes conveying the essence of the subject rather than a detailed representation. This aesthetic links it to Zen principles of direct experience and the rejection of excess. The placement of calligraphy alongside the image underscores the importance of language and poetry in Zen practice. Produced during the Edo period, a time of relative peace and isolation in Japan, this artwork reflects the flourishing of distinctively Japanese cultural forms and it underscores the importance of understanding the visual and textual elements. Examination of Edo-period social structures and the role of Zen Buddhism within them will reveal the context that shaped Sōzan Genkyō’s work.