Zen Aphorism

Object Details

• Artist

  Hakuin Ekaku 白隠慧鶴 (1685-1768)

• Description

  Inscribed as a single line of characters enclosed within a light ink line is a Zen Buddhist aphorism which may be translated, "Through sharp discipline, the ancients prosper brilliantly."

• Inscriptions

  1. (Ann Yonemura, 9/26/03, From Acquisition Consideration Report)

  The Zen master Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768) is identified by three seals: at upper right, a relief seal reading "Ryu [ ] sen ten;" at lower left, a square seal reading "Ekaku" and a tripod-shaped seal reading "Hakuin." The storage box for this scroll carries an inscription dated October 1960 indicating that the scroll was presented as a gift to the Tsurugibashi Buddhist Association. The inscription is signed by Sokan, Chief Priest of the Myokozenji in Owari Prefecture.

  2. (Elizabeth F. Duley, 11/21/03)

• Provenance

  To 2003

  Elizabeth ten Grotenhuis, Cambridge, Massachusetts. [1]

  From 2003

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Elizabeth ten Grotenhuis, Cambridge, Massachusetts. [2]

  Notes:

  [1] See Curatorial Remark 1 in the object record.

  [2] See note 1.

• Collection

  Freer Study Collection

• Previous custodian or owner

  Elizabeth ten Grotenhuis

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Gift of Elizabeth ten Grotenhuis and Merton C. Flemings

• Type

  Calligraphy

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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• Date

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• Name

  Grotenhuis, Elizabeth ten

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Art, Zen Buddhism, Edo period, Japan, (1600 - 1868), Japanese Art

• Culture

  Buddhists, Japanese

• Object Type

  Calligraphy (visual works)