Yamaoka Tesshu Calligraphy, Assistance with Translation

[Iaido dude]

I have been looking at this appealing work by Yamaoka Tesshu, whose calligraphy is consistent, but highly idiosyncratic. The large "One Word Barrier" is "窮 (poverty/poor)", rendered in an almost pictographic form that is rare for Yamaoka, but I cannot make out the rest of the inscription. There is some water damage, but I've never seen such an inscription done by this otherwise prolific artist who often produced many versions of the same theme. Thanks.

 

Edited February 26 by Iaido dude

[SteveM]

窮則独善其身達則兼濟天下

 

Something like: In times of plenty, the virtuous man strives to help others. In times of need, the virtuous man strives to help/improve himself. 

 

 

[Iaido dude]

Thanks so much, Steve. You are absolutely spot on.

 

Turns out that "When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when successful, one should benefit all under heaven," comes from Mencius, Book 7, Part 1, Chapter 9, which reads:

 

"Therefore, a scholar does not lose righteousness in poverty, nor does he stray from the Way in success. When poor, he does not lose righteousness; therefore, a scholar holds possession of himself. Those who achieve success do not stray from the Way, therefore the people are not disappointed. In ancient times, those who were successful brought benefits to the people; those who were unsuccessful cultivated themselves and made their virtues known to the world. When poor, one should cultivate one's own virtue; when successful, one should benefit all under heaven."

 

Yamaoka would have studied Confucian thought, as did all well-educated samurai.

Edited February 27 by Iaido dude