Mokuan Shoto Calligraphy Masterpiece of Guanyin Bodhisattva (觀世音菩薩), Purchased In Auction of 8 Scrolls for $200

[Iaido dude]

This is the story of my "great find," which in this case is a masterpiece.

 

Mu'an Xintao (木庵性瑫, 1611-1684), known in Japan as Mokuan Shōtō, underwent Zen training in China at Wanfusi with three of the greatest Ch'an masters of the early 17th century: Miyun Yanwu (1566-1642), Feiyin Tongrong (1593-1661), and finally Obaku monk Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryuki, 1592-1673), who bestowed on him dharma transmission in 1650. He followed Yinyuan and an entourage of a dozen other monks from southern China to Nagasaki to help with the founding of Manpukuji, which Mu'an took over as its second abbott when Yinyuan retired in 1664. Over a period of 17 years he oversaw the expansion of Manpukuji and the founding of numerous other Obaku temples throughout Japan, including Zuishoji, the principle Obaku temple in Edo.

 

Like Yinyuan, Mu'an was one of the most talented and prolific calligraphers of the Obaku lineage, whose work was much in demand by followers. Together with Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryuki) and Jifei Ruyi (Sokuhi Nyoitsu), he is known as one of the "Three Brushes of Ōbaku" or Obaku no Sanpitsu. His work is characterized by precise brush control, sophisticated character composition, and a grasp of the styles found in the works of late Ming literati calligraphers. 

 

This powerful example of Mokuan's large character vertical brushwork, which displays the conventions of bold, cursive Ming styles with an insistent upward tilt, was purchased for $200 (Andrew Jones Auctions, Los Angeles) as part of a set of 8 scrolls, along with one by Nakahara Nantenbo. Both have been carefully and beautifully mounted at great expense. Both come in boxes that are labeled with the artist's name, yet in auction no details were provided. No one else noticed; no one else bid. Clearly these were under appreciated since Mokuan works of this quality routinely sell for over $3,000. The provenance is documented by a handwritten translation from the shop Oriental Art Sekisen where it was purchased by a prior owner. I'm still researching the other 6 works. These works appear to have come to auction from a single collector, as his name appears on tags in each box.

 

Signature: Obaku Mokuan sho (黃檗木庵書, Inscribed by Obaku Mokuan). 

Seals: Hogai gakushi (方外学士, prefatory seal); Shakushi Kaito (釋氏戒瑫); Mokuan shi (木盦氏).

 

The inscription is of the formal Chinese name of the bodhisattva of infinite compassion, the one who hears and sees all suffering. Kanzeon bosatsu (觀世音菩薩, Chinese Guānshìyīn púsà), originally a male depiction, is known as Kannon in Japan. Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra explains how Kannon will rescue those who seek his help in times of peril, specifically addressing the dangerous encounters at sea. In this representation, Kannon is most closely associated with Dogen Zenji (1200-1253), the Zen master who introduced the Soto sect to Japan. The story goes that upon returning from his studies in China, Dogen encountered tumultuous waves and strong winds at sea. He chanted the Lotus Sutra, and then he saw Kannon riding on a lotus petal, calming the waves to ensure his safe return to Japan. For Obaku monks who undertook perilous sea journeys from China to Japan, this image served multiple roles. It functioned as a metaphorical guide in their spiritual quest for enlightenment while also symbolizing the protective grace of Kannon during their maritime expeditions. The tragic fate of Yelan Xingui (a top pupil of Yinyuan Longqi), who perished at sea en route to Japan, underscores the real danger these monks faced, making the image a testament to their courage, faith, and vulnerability.

 

 

 

This is another Mokuan of the same inscription (although small in scale if you compare to the size of the seals) offered on Jauce for $850, which is far less refined and has a more frenetic energy to it.

 

Edited February 21 by Iaido dude

[eternal_newbie]

Beautiful.

[Iaido dude]

Here is the Nakahara Nantenbo that was part of this set of 8 hanging scrolls.

 

Nakahara Nantenbo (1839-1925), whose Buddhist name was Toju Zenchu (Complete Devotion), was in the last 17 years of his life the Exalted Master of the main temple of Moyoshin-ji of the Rinzai sect. A contemporary of the great lay Zen master, swordsman, calligrapher/artist, and statesman Yamaoka Tesshu, whom he met while teaching at the training hall at Sokei-ji in Tokyo and had daily private meetings with, he was a tireless reformer of Zen monastic training and activity, emphasizing strict practice and koan study.

 

This brushwork was done when Nantenbo was 80 years old. A similar one offered by Gallery Friedrich Muller is listed for $1,700. The kanji inscription is the first verse from a famous Chinese couplet often used as a blessing for good fortune:

福如东海长流水, 寿比南山不老松
Fú rú dōnghǎi cháng liúshuǐ, shòu bǐ nánshān bù lǎosōng
May good fortune be as boundless and enduring as the flowing waters of the East China Sea, and longevity stand firm like the ageless pines of South Mountain

 

Edited February 21 by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

Interestingly, there are two works among the 8 scrolls that are by a father and son pair of Confucian literati scholars, suggesting a purposeful theme in the collecting interest of the previous owner Frank Preiser.

 

Kameda Bōsai (亀田鵬斎; 1752–1826) was a Japanese literati painter (nanga in Japanese). He originally trained as a Confucian scholar, but spent the second half of his life as a literati and artist. The book "Mountains of the Heart" contains many of his most famous paintings.

The inscription is in the form of a traditional quatrain of 7 characters per line:

"Within the mountains apart from the mountain-top clouds,
there is also the pine wind in which to take pleasure;
If only I had a tea-whisk to send as a present to you,
for elegant rhymes can mislead, as in what was said to the Liang dynasty Emperor"

山中除却嶺上雲,
別有松風可怡悅;
但謂巴鼻特賠君,
清韵讀向梁帝說

The poet T'ao Yuan-Ming (372-427) once wrote to the Liang Emperor Wu:
"I have certainly had wide experience, but I am afraid I am not yet skilled..." T'ao then resigned his official post after serving only 83 days in office and spent the rest of his days in creative retirement.

Here Bosai paints the pine tree piercing the cloud. The small figure of a scholar stands on the edge of a cliff in this polychrome work.

Signature: (Painted and inscribed by old man Bosai)
Seals: (Bosai, used 1820-1824), (Kanto dai-ichi futensei, The greatest fool in the Kanto area, used 1818-1823)

 

 

 

Kameda Ryorai (亀田綾瀬, 1778-1853) studied under his father Kameda Bōsai, a distinguished Confucian scholar, painter, and calligrapher.

 

The inscription in this large character single line work is an expression of the Confucian Doctrine of the Mean (Zhongyong), which espouses the natural order of things. The "Mean" represents a balanced, optimal approach to life, avoiding extremes through moral cultivation, sincerity, and finding the right path (Tao) in all situations.

鳶飛魚躍活潑潑地
"Kites fly and fish leap, those on the ground are lively"

 

Edited February 21 by Iaido dude