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Triptych of One-Column Calligraphies on Auspicious Natural Imagery

1671
Not on view
The Chan master Yinyuan Longqi founded Manpukuji Temple in Uji, on the southern outskirts of Kyoto, in 1661. His arrival in Japan from China marked a revitalization of Rinzai Zen monastic practice, and his robust calligraphy—in great demand by followers as well as members of the public—established a legacy in which Ōbaku monks excelled in the medium. Here, Yinyuan created a tableau of auspicious phrases using metaphors from nature; from right to left, it reads:

寿山青不老
慧日映慈門
福海碧無窮

The mountain of longevity,
evergreen, never grows old.
The sun of wisdom illuminates
the gateway to compassion.
The sea of good fortune,
deep blue, is boundless.

—Trans. John T. Carpenter

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • 隠元隆琦筆　 一行三幅対「寿山」「慧日」「福海」
  • Title: Triptych of One-Column Calligraphies on Auspicious Natural Imagery
  • Artist: Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) (Chinese, 1592–1673)
  • Period: Edo period (1615–1868)
  • Date: 1671
  • Culture: Japan
  • Medium: Set of three hanging scrolls: ink on paper
  • Dimensions: Image (a (right)): 49 15/16 × 14 9/16 in. (126.8 × 37 cm)
    Overall with mounting (a (right)): 84 13/16 × 21 3/8 in. (215.5 × 54.3 cm)
    Image (b (center)): 50 1/16 × 14 9/16 in. (127.1 × 37 cm)
    Overall with mounting (b (center)): 85 1/16 × 21 3/8 in. (216 × 54.3 cm)
    Image (c (left)): 49 7/8 × 14 9/16 in. (126.7 × 37 cm)
    Overall with mounting (c (left)): 85 1/16 × 21 3/8 in. (216 × 54.3 cm)
  • Classification: Calligraphy
  • Credit Line: Mary and Cheney Cowles Collection, Gift of Mary and Cheney Cowles, 2024
  • Object Number: 2024.412.9a–c
  • Curatorial Department: Asian Art

More Artwork

More Artwork
“The Way of the patriarchs spans a thousand years”, Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan
“The Way of the patriarchs spans a thousand years”
Attributed to Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki)
17th or 18th century
Helmet (<i>Zukinnari Kabuto</i>), Iron, lacquer, Japanese
Helmet (Zukinnari Kabuto)
Japanese
16th century
”Abiding nowhere, the awakened mind arises”, Musō Soseki Japanese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan
”Abiding nowhere, the awakened mind arises”
Musō Soseki
early to mid-14th century
The Gateway Character “Lotus” , Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) Chinese, Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan

The Gateway Character “Lotus”

Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki)
Inscription by Mu'an Xingtao (Mokuan Shōtō)
Inscription by Jifei Ruyi (Sokuhi Nyoitsu)
ca. 1663–64
Armor (<i>Gusoku</i>), Saotome Ietada Japanese, Iron, lacquer, silk, gilt copper, Japanese
Armor (Gusoku)
Armorer Helmet bowl signed Saotome Ietada
Armorer Breastplate inscribed inside, Myōchin Munesuke
16th and 18th centuries

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