Ink Drawing of Han-shan and Shi-de(Zen Hermits) (a pair)

It was painted by Zuikō Chingyū and inscribed by Gōchō (1749-1835).
Gōchō was a Tendai sect monk in the late Edo period. He was born in Higo Province. He excelled in calligraphy, painting, poetry, and song, and built a number of Hōkyōintō (small memorial square tower topped with a spire) in various places, and there are said to be more than 2000 of them. He was in contact with Zen monks such as Zuikō Chingyū and Sengai Gibon, as well as with the court noble, the military family, and the literati.

In Bunka 14 (1817), Gōchō was invited from Higo Province to Nagoya Province to pray for the healing of the illness of Tokugawa Naritomo, Daimyō (Japanese military lord) of Nagoya domain. Later, he served as the resident priest of Iwayadera Temple in Chita and Chōeiji Temple, a place of prayer for the demon gate of Nagoya Castle.

This painting is a joint work by Chingyū and Gōchō, two of the leading zen painter monks of the time. It was painted in Bunsei 2 (1819), when Chingyū was at Banshōji Temple and Gōchō was at Iwayaji Temple. Gōchō’s invitation to Nagoya was largely based on Chingyū’s recommendation.

Hanshan (left) and Shide (right), the subject of the painting, were legendary hermits of the Tang dynasty who lived in Guoqing Temple on Mt. Tiantai in Zhejiang Province. Although they looked like beggars, their words and deeds were connected to the Buddha’s will, and it was said that Hanshan was an incarnation of Mañjuśrī Bodhisattva and Shide was of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. It is said that Hansan suddenly appeared to Shide, who was working as a rice cook on Mt. Tiantai.

The “Hanshan and Shide,” which is based on the crazy anecdote about Hanshan and Shide, was much favored in Zen temples, and there are many examples of its creation. As shown in this painting, Hanshan is often depicted holding a sutra scroll (or brush) and Shide is often depicted holding a broom (or pointing to the heavens).