Image 1 of 2
Download Image IIIF

Terms of Use

Usage Conditions Apply

At A Glance

  • Period

    17th century
  • Geography

    Japan
  • Material

    Ink on paper
  • Dimension

    H x W (image): 39.8 × 50.8 cm (15 11/16 × 20 in)
  • Accession Number

    F1997.12
  • EDAN ID

    edanmdm:fsg_F1997.12

Object Details

  • Artist

    Ekun Fugai 風外慧薫 (1568-1654)
  • Description

    The subject of this painting is Bodhidharma, the Indian patriarch of Zen Buddhism. In a highly simplified style using only a few brush strokes, the artist Fūgai Eikun, has sketched the head and shoulders of Bodhidharma, giving emphasis to his penetrating gaze.
  • Signatures

    Signed "Fugai" over a circular seal.
  • Collection

    Freer Gallery of Art Collection
  • Exhibition History

    Religious Art of Japan (December 18, 2002 to January 4, 2015)
    Selections from the Japanese Collection (March 22 to November 29, 1999)
  • Origin

    Japan
  • Credit Line

    Gift of Peggy and Richard Danziger in honor of Kurt Gitter
  • Type

    Painting
  • Restrictions and Rights

    Usage Conditions Apply

    There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.

    The information presented on this website may be revised and updated at any time as ongoing research progresses or as otherwise warranted. Pending any such revisions and updates, information on this site may be incomplete or inaccurate or may contain typographical errors. Neither the Smithsonian nor its regents, officers, employees, or agents make any representations about the accuracy, reliability, completeness, or timeliness of the information on the site. Use this site and the information provided on it subject to your own judgment. The National Museum of Asian Art welcomes information that would augment or clarify the ownership history of objects in their collections.

Keep Exploring