Zen Circle

Tokuō Ryōkō (signed by artist), 1680 - 1709

A Zen painting serves as an additional aid to those on the path of Zen in search of enlightenment. Among the familiar motifs is a painted circle. Here it is accompanied by the calligraphed question ‘What is this?’ along with totsu, an exclamation intended to catalyze a sudden insight in the disciple.

  • Artwork typehanging scroll
  • Object numberAK-MAK-1831
  • Dimensionsheight 76.9 cm x width 25.4 cm, height 166 cm x width 35.3 cm, length 40.3 cm
  • Physical characteristicsinkt

Identification

  • Title(s)

    Zen Circle

  • Object type

  • Object number

    AK-MAK-1831

  • Description

    Hangrolschildering in inkt op papier met een voorstelling van een cirkel, met daarboven een opschrift: '是甚麼咄' 'Wat is dit? Totsu!'. De zen-uitroep 'totsu' is bedoeld om een leerling plotseling tot inzicht te doen laten komen. Signatuur: '良高筆' 'Ryōkō hitsu' 'geschilderd door Ryōkō'. Houten doos met papieren hoes.

Creation

  • Creation

    painter: Tokuō Ryōkō (signed by artist), Japan

  • Dating

    1680 - 1709

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Material and technique

  • Physical description

    inkt

  • Dimensions

    • height 76.9 cm x width 25.4 cm
    • height 166 cm x width 35.3 cm
    • length 40.3 cm

Acquisition and rights

  • Credit line

    On loan from the Royal Asian Art Society in The Netherlands (bequest F. Hess, 2023)

  • Copyright

    Public domain

Persistent URL

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  • Zen Circle
  • Zen Circle