Kakejiku Painting of Hansan and Jittoku By Tengen Chiben ("Gako") With Inscription of Poem by Hanshan

[Iaido dude]

 

Tengen Chiben (1737-1805), whose art name was Gako (meaning "Goose Lake"), was a second generation Rinzai monk in the Hakuin Ekaku tradition. He lived and taught at temples like Onsenji and Nanzenji, leaving behind influential ink paintings and calligraphy that showcased his deep understanding of Zen Buddhism. He was known for his expressive figural paintings, especially of Zen eccentrics like Kanzan (Chinese Hanshan 寒山), "Cold Mountain") and Jittoku, following the tradition of Hakuin's lineage. However, this painting and accompanying inscription of one of Hanshan's most famous poetic quatrains (#5) shows his lively and individualistic brushwork. The dark outline of their bodies, eyes, and handle of broom stands out from the gray-wash of their clothes, serves as a compositional device to emphasize attention on the moon above. Interestingly, Gako substitutes the less formal Wǒ (我) for the first character Wú (吾) in Hanshan's poem, both of which have the same meaning. The verses connect the moon's perfect, untainted reflection to the enlightened mind (Buddha-mind or kensho), representing clarity, emptiness (mu), and the universe:

吾心似秋月 (Wú xīn sì qiū yuè) - My mind is like the autumn moon,
碧潭清皎潔 (Bì tán qīng jiǎo jié) - clear and bright in a pool of jade,
無物堪比倫 (Wú wù kān bǐ lún) - nothing can compare,
教我如何説 (Jiào wǒ rú hé shuō) - what more can I say1 

This specific piece was purchased in auction for a mere fraction of its real value, perhaps unrecognized as the very example from a private collection that was published in Stephen Addiss' seminal book.²

 

¹The Collected Songs of Cold Mountain. Translated by Red Pine; publisher Copper Canyon Press, Washington (2000), pg. 39

²The Art of Zen: paintings and calligraphy by Japanese monks 1600-1925. Stephen Addiss; publisher Harry N. Abrams, Inc., New York (1989)

Edited December 27, 2025 by Iaido dude

[Bugyotsuji]

Nice.

 

'Kanzan and Jittoku' is a popular subject for Netsuke and Okimono too, throughout Japanese art.

[Iaido dude]

They are two mountain Tao/Buddhist sage-poets who lived on the outskirts of an established monastery during the early development of Ch'an practice and who are beloved by Zen masters and frequently featured in their artworks. Jittoku is most often depicted with a broom.

Edited December 28, 2025 by Iaido dude