HARUKI NANMEI – 春木南溟 (1795-1878) – Landscape With Ancient Zengo Phrase – 山水と禅語 – Painted 1844

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Nanmei was one of the top Nanga painters of his time. A kind and gentle man, his patrons included Duke Sanjo Sanetsumu (三条実万, 1802–1859) and Lord Yōdō, who built a house next to his estate for the painter.

This piece was painted in 1844. This is evidenced by his signing “Nanmei Wood Dragon (南溟木龍 > often simplified>龙)”. The “Wood Dragon” is one of the 60-year cycles in the Chinese sexagenary calendar (a combination of the Wood element and the Dragon zodiac sign). This cycle occurred in 1844 during Nanmei’s prime artistic years, -a period when he was highly active in the Nanga (literati) painting scene. It was an easy choice by a highly trained literati painter to pair the dragon with the 木 from his surname to both date his work and honour his family lineage. His works are held in the Tokyo National Museum, the British Museum, the Museum of Oriental Art Berlin, and many others.

The ancient Zengo phrase, very roughly translated, is something like “a thousand calls echo through the endless green”, -Zen often uses “the green of the mountains” to represent the unchanging Buddha-nature. The concept of an “echo” (kodama) or “call” in a vast, empty space is frequently used to describe the responsiveness of the mind. This is the perfect scroll for meditation and contemplation. Good, normal condition for its age. The silk, the silk-cotton-hemp textile, and the washi paper are of the highest quality and the pale blue mountains in the far distance are a beautiful touch.

Dimensions: 19″ x 71″ – Comes with a signed and sealed document of authenticity and further information about the painter and the ancient meanings of the painting. Free shipping worldwide! All prices in Canadian dollars.