Hakuin Ekaku (1685–1768)
Lessons on Family Virtues
Ink on paper, set of six hanging scrolls
With box authentication by Mamiya Eiju, Yamamoto Gempo, and Nakagawa Soen; authentication by Gempo and Soen
Seals: Kokan’i; Hakuin; Ekaku
134 x 57 cm each
204 x 71 cm each (overall)
With box authentication by Mamiya Eiju, Yamamoto Gempo, and Nakagawa Soen; authentication by Gempo and Soen
Seals: Kokan’i; Hakuin; Ekaku
134 x 57 cm each
204 x 71 cm each (overall)
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Provenance
Collection of Nagasawa family (Shizuoka)Literature
Hakuin. Tokyo: Chikumashobo, 1964.
The subject of the present work derives from the ethics article on family virtues by Sima Guang, the influential Northern Song Chinese politician. This set of six scrolls starts with a single characters “toku” (virtue), continues with discussions of “secret acts of charity, rather than gold or books, are the real heirloom treasure,” and completes with a statement about filial piety. The writing complies with the ingaoho (reward and punishment for one’s past behavior) idea, which believes in one’s own virtue brings good rewards to his ancestors and offspring. Hakuin Ekaku never restricted himself to the sources, and his Zen calligraphy often transforms classical writings into comprehensible expressions, which is clearly demonstrated by the present work.
This work is reproduced in the Chikumashobo-published Hakuin, a publication considered to be the authoritative collection of Hakuin’s works. According to the book, it is well-kept as the heirloom treasure of the descendants of Hakuin’s family. The exceptional brushwork, the didactic contents, and the authentication by his distanced disciples make the work a rare masterpiece of Hakuin.
Hakuin Ekaku (Zen priest; 1685–1768)
Also known as Shinkidokumyo-zenji; Shoshu-kokushi (posthumous Buddhist names)
Suruga-born mid Edo period Rinzai School Zen priest. Became a disciple of the Zen master Tanrei Soden at Shoin-ji temple, and was given the Buddhist name ‘Ekaku’. Traveled to a number of temples to study under different Zen masters, including Bao Soshun at Zuiun-ji temple in Mino, Itsuzen at Shoshu-ji temple in Iyo, and Shotetsu at Eigan-ji temple in Echigo. Became the chief abbot of Myoshin-ji temple in 1718. His disciples include the Zen masters Torei Enji and Suio Genro. Played a vital role in reviving the then declining Rinzai School, and spreaded Zen Buddhism among wide public.
This work is reproduced in the Chikumashobo-published Hakuin, a publication considered to be the authoritative collection of Hakuin’s works. According to the book, it is well-kept as the heirloom treasure of the descendants of Hakuin’s family. The exceptional brushwork, the didactic contents, and the authentication by his distanced disciples make the work a rare masterpiece of Hakuin.
Hakuin Ekaku (Zen priest; 1685–1768)
Also known as Shinkidokumyo-zenji; Shoshu-kokushi (posthumous Buddhist names)
Suruga-born mid Edo period Rinzai School Zen priest. Became a disciple of the Zen master Tanrei Soden at Shoin-ji temple, and was given the Buddhist name ‘Ekaku’. Traveled to a number of temples to study under different Zen masters, including Bao Soshun at Zuiun-ji temple in Mino, Itsuzen at Shoshu-ji temple in Iyo, and Shotetsu at Eigan-ji temple in Echigo. Became the chief abbot of Myoshin-ji temple in 1718. His disciples include the Zen masters Torei Enji and Suio Genro. Played a vital role in reviving the then declining Rinzai School, and spreaded Zen Buddhism among wide public.