Zheng Huangniu and Yushanzhu

Painting by Kano Naizen Japanese
Inscribed by Takuan Sōhō

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 224

These two legendary Chinese monks of the Chan (Zen) tradition were often paired in Japanese painting beginning in the early Muromachi period (1392–1573). Shown at right is Zheng Huangniu (Japanese: Seiōgyū), whose name means “Zheng of the Yellow Ox.” He was known for riding such an animal, to which he would attach various objects, including jugs and books. As was common in seventeenth-century and later Japanese examples, here Zheng rides his ox backward. His counterpart is Yushanzhu (Japanese: Ikuzanshu), or “Master of Mount Yu.” Yushanzhu is said to have gained enlightenment after falling from his donkey on a bridge. The poetic inscriptions, rendered in a crisp and brusquely brushed style, are by Takuan Sōhō, one of the most influential Zen monks of his day.

Zheng Huangniu and Yushanzhu, Painting by Kano Naizen (Japanese, 1570–1616), Pair of hanging scrolls; ink on paper, Japan

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.