Ink Drawing of Bodhidharma Riding a Reed

Takujū Kosen (1760-1833) was a Rinzai Zen monk during the late Edo period, born in Owari Province. He studied under and succeeded Gazan Jitō, a leading disciple of Hakuin Ekaku. Takujū was a resident of Hōrinji Temple in Sagami Province and Sōkenji Temple in Owari. In Bunka 10 (1813), he was promoted to the abbotship of Myōshinji Temple, where he received the purple robe, a significant honor. He was known for his gentle and meticulous Zen style and is considered the twin of the Gasan school, contrasting with the strict and dynamic Zen style of Inzan Ien. The Rinzai sect today is largely comprised of the Dharma lineages of both the Takujū and Izan schools.
After Hakuin, his students were strongly influenced by his painting style, but Takujū developed his unique style.

The inscription is read from the left side of the painting as Dharma faces it and means as follows: the sound of a gushing spring is best after midnight, but the view of the mountains is most wonderful when reflected in the setting sun. This phrase can be found in the writings of Baiyun Shouduan of the Northern Song dynasty and Xutang Zhiyu of the Southern Song dynasty.
The signature ‘華園’ refers to Myōshinji Temple and is known to have been composed after its ascension.