The Gateway Character “Lotus”

Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) Chinese
 Inscription by Mu'an Xingtao (Mokuan Shōtō) Chinese
 Inscription by Jifei Ruyi (Sokuhi Nyoitsu) Chinese

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 228

Three master Ōbaku calligraphers collaborated on this horizontal composition. Yinyuan Longqi initiated the work by inscribing the oversize Chinese character meaning “lotus,” symbolizing purity and spiritual enlightenment as it emerges pristine from muddy waters. His twist of the brush exposes the white paper beneath, suggesting rapid movement. Smaller passages executed by two of his disciples elaborate on the topic of Buddhist enlightenment.

The Gateway Character “Lotus”, Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) (Chinese, 1592–1673), Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan

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The Gateway Character “Lotus”, Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) (Chinese, 1592–1673), Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan
The Gateway Character “Lotus”, Yinyuan Longqi (Ingen Ryūki) (Chinese, 1592–1673), Hanging scroll; ink on paper, Japan

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