Three Laughers of Tiger Ravine

Yosa Buson paints a well-loved theme of an imagined gathering that symbolizes the harmony of the Three Teachings, namely Confucianism, Daoism, and Buddhism. From right to left appear the poet scholar Tao Yuanming 陶淵明 (Tao Qian 陶潜, 365–427), the Daoist master Lu Xiujing 陸修靜 (406–477), and the Buddhist monk Huiyuan 慧 遠 (334–416). According to the celebrated tale, Huiyuan had vowed never to cross the Tiger Ravine that marked the boundary of his monastic retreat on Mount Lu. While accompanying his two friends in lively conversation, however, he became so absorbed in their exchange that he unknowingly stepped across the bridge. Once he realized what had happened, the three men burst into laughter, the moment cherished as a testament to friendship that transcends doctrinal boundaries.

The episode came to be referred to as “Three Laughers of Tiger Ravine” (in Chinese Huxi sanxiao, and in Japanese Kokei sanshō). See an earlier representation of the tale by Sekishō Shōan 石樵昌安 (2021.55). Compare another rendition of the same theme by Buson in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art (2015.114.21).