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The Zen Priest Choka, 1600-1640. Creator: Tawaraya S?tatsu (Japanese, died c. 1640)
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The Zen Priest Choka, 1600-1640. Creator: Tawaraya S?tatsu (Japanese, died c. 1640)
The Zen Priest Choka, 1600-1640. Sotatsus painting was inspired by a Chinese book of the late Ming dynasty that featured images of legendary Chinese Buddhist experts and Daoist sages. The monk portrayed here is Niaochao, literally " birds nest." He was an eccentric Zen practitioner who favored the isolation of treetops, from which he offered advice to the perplexed. Indeed, the posture of the single figure in the painting suggests dialogue with someone below. Sotatsu was a master of a " boneless" or unoutlined style of ink painting that relied on layered pools of ink wash for effect. A secular artist with no apparent religious motivation, Sotatsu exploited the design potential of this bizarre subject, a monk whom the artist conjured up like a genie from a bottle
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Media ID 19630735
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1615 1868 Hanging Scroll Ink On Paper
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The Zen Priest Choka, 1600-1640
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a captivating print that showcases the artistic brilliance of Tawaraya S?tatsu, a renowned Japanese painter from the Edo period. Inspired by a Chinese book depicting legendary Buddhist and Daoist figures, Sotatsu beautifully portrays Niaochao, also known as "birds nest" an eccentric Zen practitioner who sought solace in treetops to offer guidance to those seeking enlightenment. The painting's composition suggests an intriguing dialogue between the solitary figure and someone below, emphasizing Niaochao's role as a sage imparting wisdom. Sotatsu's mastery lies in his unique "boneless" style of ink painting, where he skillfully layers pools of ink wash to create mesmerizing effects on paper. Although seemingly secular in nature without any religious motivation apparent, Sotatsu expertly harnesses the design potential of this enigmatic subject. He conjures up the image of Niaochao like a genie emerging from its bottle with remarkable detail and precision. This hanging scroll exemplifies the rich heritage artistry of Japan during the Edo period (1615-1868). It serves as a testament to both Sotatsu's exceptional talent and his ability to breathe life into historical narratives through his brushstrokes. This particular piece is housed at The Cleveland Museum of Art and stands as a testament to its commitment to preserving cultural treasures for generations to come.
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