Priest c. 1811s

drawing, ink-on-paper

drawing

ink drawing

pen illustration

pen sketch

japan

ink-on-paper

personal sketchbook

sketchwork

ink drawing experimentation

sketch

pen-ink sketch

pen work

sketchbook drawing

initial sketch

This woodblock print, titled "Priest" by Katsushika Hokusai, depicts a seated figure with a contemplative expression. The figure is likely a Buddhist priest or monk as he wears a robe and holds prayer beads. Hokusai, famous for his landscapes, utilizes a loose and expressive line to create a sense of movement and energy. The lines emphasize the figure's form and create a sense of depth in the surrounding foliage. The image provides insight into Hokusai's mastery of this traditional Japanese art form. This work is a testament to Hokusai's artistic genius as he combines detailed realism with a strong sense of emotion.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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Prayer beads, or rosaries, are used in many religious traditions as aids for prayer and recitation. In this drawing by Hokusai, prayer beads are shown encircling the wrist of a Buddhist as he devotes himself to asceticisms near a waterfall. Buddhist practitioners use rosaries to count the repetitions of sacred texts and appeals. These rosaries are traditionally composed of 108 beads. Each bead represents a bonnō –a negative mental state such as jealousy or depression. Additionally, the number 108 holds astronomical significance as it is the product of the four phases of the moon and the twenty-seven constellations (4 x 27 = 108).