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Ink Drawing of Bodhidharma, Attributed to Eshin Sōzu

This Ink Drawing of Bodhidharma is said to have been painted by Eshin Sōzu (Genshin, 942-1017), who preached the Jōdo sect in the Heian period and wrote “Ōjōyōshū” and other works.

This Ink Drawing of Bodhidharma depicts a large face and is different from the Japanese style of Dharma. The Style is thought to have been made around that time because the painting style is similar to Western-style paintings that came to be painted during the influx of Western culture in the 16th century.

The inscription reads from the left side facing Dharma. The first line is based on an anecdote between Dharma and Emperor Wu of Liang Dynasty, and following inscriptions compare Zen teachings to the dusty world in which even they cannot save you and are only halfway through (but they will bear fruit). The content of this verse seems to be similar to that of Dharma transmission verse.

Details

  • Title: Ink Drawing of Bodhidharma
  • Creator: Eshin Sōzu
  • Physical Dimensions: H56.0×W80.0
  • Medium: paper

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