Calligraphy and Painting of Orchid by Zen Master Mokuan Shoto

[Iaido dude]

I just acquired this calligraphy and painting of orchids on auction from Roseberys (London) along with a group of other unmounted calligraphy/painting. This subject was the theme of other works by Mokuan. Translation assistance would be appreciated. The subject and style of the painting follows that of literati painters with whom the early Obaku monks associated closely with as they brought their Zen tradition along with Chinese art and culture to Japan, where it was highly influential. However, the calligraphy style is late Ming dynasty. The different shades of ink wash that Mokuan uses to paint the leaves gives the composition great balance and an ethereal impression of delicacy, purity, and dignity.

 

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 (Huangbo) 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.

 

  

 

 

Below is a very refined work of the same theme by Obaku Xihe Zhiyin (西河知音), painted c. 1692 and in the collection of the National Museum of Asian Art (Smithsonian), done shortly after Mokuan's death it would seem. I haven't been able to place Xihe in the Obaku genealogy, but he likely came to Japan as a member of the entourage of Obaku monks that accompanied Ingen or Mokuan.

 

The notes accompanying this piece on the web site:

 

"The orchid's long and gracefully fluttering leaves often overshadow its inconspicuous flowers. The delicate flowers represent the purity of seclusion for scholars. Orchids grow untended-like the scholar who cultivates his own talents but is unrecognized by others. The blossoms exude a subtle fragrance that symbolizes the purity of men. This painting was likely executed by a Chinese Buddhist monk of the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism. In the 1650s, a large number of monks migrated from China to Japan after the fall of the Ming dynasty and the rise of the foreign Manchurian government."

 

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 09:57 PM by Iaido dude

[YourBabyBjornBorg]

Hi! This is really hard, but I'm on it. This could take a little while though for I'm helping many others doing something else at the same time orz

 

 

This reads "緑雖千種草 香只一枝蘭 乙巳仲夏" from top to bottom, right to left, ChatGPT's translation seems fine. (though used the wrong quantifier 株 instead of 枝 somehow)

 

 

乙巳(1665)仲夏(mid-summer) is just a date in the Chinese sexagenary cycle, incidentally last year 2025 is also the year of 乙巳, the next year of 乙巳 is going to be 2085.

 

 

This is signed 黄檗木庵山僧戯筆. I might try to understand what the red seals/stamps said under, maybe later orz

 

黄檗(Ōbaku or Huangbo) is Mu'an's school of Zen(Ch'an), 木庵 is Mu'an,

 

山僧 means a monk living in the woods, a humble way to refer oneself usually by Zen monks,

 

戯筆 means "wrote/drawn playfully", one of many ways to sign one's work,

 

and Mu'an used many other, like 題 ("inscripted"), 手題 ("hand inscripted", not that others are not by hand though), 自題 ("self inscripted"), 敬題 ("inscripted respectfully"), 並題("inscripted also", ususally in drawings), 戯墨並題 ("played with ink and also inscripted"), 書 ("wrote"), 敬書 ("wrote respectfully"), 謹書 (literally "wrote carefully", but really it's "wrote respectfully", too) and many, many other......

 

 

Not sure what this two words are orz

 

The Chinese poem "緑雖千種草 香只一枝蘭" is perhaps Mu'an's creation because this has 0 hits on the Chinese internet,

 

but Ogata Kenzan, a later-day artist and brother of Ogata Kōrin of Rinpa used it in one of his works.

 

 

See the Chinese poem "緑雖千種草 香只一枝蘭" written in the red rectangle area on Ogata Kenzan's work.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Baby Joe

 

[Brian]

Baby Joe,
Your considerable efforts are really appreciated by all of us. Thank you.

[John C]

17 hours ago, Iaido dude said:

Buddhist monk of the Obaku sect of Zen Buddhism.

Steve:

That's interesting as I am also currently doing research on a piece relating to orchids - the Four Flowers/Four Gentlemen and their significance in Confucianism.

 

John C.

[Iaido dude]

Thanks very much, Baby Joe! This makes perfect sense, as Mu’an is referencing the quiet, unnoticed, cultivation of the Zen mind. Brilliant. I rarely acquire calligraphy without knowing the meaning, but Mu’an’s painting is enough reason, and he doesn’t f—k around when it comes to calligraphy inscriptions. This one goes on the wall when it arrives, next to my other work by Mu’an invoking the name of Kanzeon Bosatsu (Chinese Guanshiyin Pusa).

Edited 23 hours ago by Iaido dude

[Iaido dude]

44 minutes ago, John C said:

Steve:

That's interesting as I am also currently doing research on a piece relating to orchids - the Four Flowers/Four Gentlemen and their significance in Confucianism.

 

John C.

 

John, please let us know what Confucian ideals are symbolized by the orchid. We find the Four Gentlemen theme on a number of kinds of arts and crafts including tsuba. 

Edited 23 hours ago by Iaido dude

[John C]

Steve:

The following passage is from an AI search:

 

The Four Gentlemen (四君子; Sì Jūnzǐ) are plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, representing the four seasons and core Confucian virtues. Deeply rooted in Chinese culture, they symbolize the ideal Confucian scholar (junzi) by embodying resilience, humility, integrity, and grace, often depicted in traditional, meditative ink wash paintings. [1, 2]

Key Elements of the Four Gentlemen

Plum Blossom (Winter): Symbolizes perseverance and inner beauty, blooming in the cold when other flowers do not.

Orchid (Spring): Represents humility and high moral character, often found in remote, quiet places.

Bamboo (Summer): Signifies strength, flexibility, and integrity, standing tall yet bending without breaking.

Chrysanthemum (Autumn): Represents fortitude and dignity, thriving in the autumn when other plants fade. [1, 2, 3]

Confucian Significance

The Junzi Ideal: The term jūnzǐ literally means "gentleman" or "noble person." These four plants embody the virtues a Confucian scholar aims to cultivate, including standing firm in adversity (plum) and remaining modest (orchid).

Moral Symbolism: They have been used for centuries to represent the four seasons, symbolizing the natural order and harmony, which are key principles in Confucian philosophy.

Artistic Practice: Painting the Four Gentlemen is considered a meditative practice to cultivate these virtues, emphasizing a calm, focused, and upright moral nature, notes 0.5.14 in a 0.5.14Korean context. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Symbolic Meanings in Art
The Four Gentlemen have been popular subjects in "Bird-and-Flower" painting for over a thousand years, highlighting the harmony between humanity and nature. These plants represent: [1, 2, 3]

Perseverance: Standing against the elements.

Purity: Remaining untainted by worldly corruption.

Humility: Growing without arrogance.

Uprightness: Maintaining moral character. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

 

 

In my case, rather than a painting, the artist quoted Li Bai's poem about the orchid carved into a tabako bon. Then he signed it noting "the gentlemen of a cold winter" or words to that effect. This suggests to me he was creating a Confucian theme. The kiseruzutsu, however, has a daruma carved into it - so more Zen Buddhist.

 

John C.

[SteveM]

 

望後　bōgo = 2nd half of the month. 

[Iaido dude]

Thanks John and Steve. Interestingly, Xi Jinping has cast himself in the mold of the Chinese philosopher-king, guided by Confucian dictates.