Stefan Arteni

Zen and Art

SolInvictus Press 2012

Zen. Sosen? written in 1956 jyuluck-do.com/sp70147.html

Stefan Arteni Zen and Art The brush sings, ink dances: the sound of a brush being used, brush strokes on a white surface (ink traces and splashes of ink, sometimes with color), kasure (streaks of white) . Brushwork is considered an expression of personal character. Produced for the patrons of the temple, for friends and students, for donations to raise money, the calligraphies and paintings are the relics that masters leave behind and, consequently, they are frequently considered talismans. Tea accoutrements and many other objects are also workings of Zen left for following generations to ponder.

The green of the pine lasts a thousand years. (Ootsu) Rekido Joyu 1897-1976 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/7936.html

Within not-a-thing lies infinite treasure! Soen Nakagawa 1907-1984 (Rinzai sect) http://www.soennakagawaroshi.com/SoenPage_180.html

No Thought. Hashimoto Dokuzan 1869-1938 (Rinzai sect) http://www.gitter-yelen.org/collection/works/detail/367/483/

Yamamoto Gempo 1866-1961 (Rinzai sect) http://www.gitter-yelen.org/collection/works/detail/497/624/

One cannot have pain without pleasure, and one cannot have pleasure without pain; any one who does nothing but plays around should surely experience hellfire in the end. Hakuin Ekaku 16851768 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/9028.html

Master, wherever it goes, the own house, the snail. Kanshu Sojun (Izawa Deiryu) 1895-1954 (Rinzai sect) http://www.bachmanneckenstein.com/exhibitions/past/2001/Inktraces_Zen_Painti ng_by_Nantembo_Deiryu_Bunsho_Gitei/paintings/27.html

Daruma. Shoun (Sohan Gempo) 1848-1922 (Rinzai sect) http://www.dharma.net/monstore/product_info.php?cPath=83_39_140&products_ id=2448

Daruma. Fugai Ekun 15681664 (Soto sect) zenartexperience.wordpress.com/

You must watch the world just like this. (Diamond Sutra). Signed: painted by Obaku Kacho. Kacho Bunshu 1740-1827 (Obaku sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/9008.html

Moon, Scroll, Broom. Shoun (Sohan Gempo) 1848-1922 (Rinzai sect) http://www.manyoancollection.org/collection/works/detail/332/448/

Nantembo Nakahara 1839-1925 (Rinzai sect) visipix.dynalias.com/cgi-bin/view?s=5&userid=4051347&q=r%5C%5E...

Heaven is high, all elements are in order. Takeda Mokurai 1854-1930 (Rinzai sect) intranet.shambhala.com/product-id/132

Dragon and Tiger screen. Nantembo Nakahara 1839-1925 (Rinzai sect) http://www.manyoancollection.org/collection/works/detail/634/792/

Shoun (Sohan Gempo) 1848-1922 (Rinzai sect) www.the-kura.com/catalog/query.php?category=Archives%3ARegiona...

Open one's eyes and penetrate the heart of matters, like the monkey's golden eyes did. Sokuhi Nyoichi or Nyoitsu (Chinese: Jifei Ruyi) born in China 16161671 (Obaku sect) www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/work/214.1995/

Flower. Yamada Mumon 1900-1988 (Rinzai sect) http://www.collectorsnet.com/Pics_App/zoom_3030.jpg

Dragon and detail. Mugaku Buneki (Seki Mugaku) 1818-1897 (Rinzai sect) http://www.asianart.com/BachmannEckenstein/large/1864-2.jpg

Dragon. Ozeki Honko 1874-1944 (Rinzai sect) http://www.robynbuntin.com/ItemDetail.asp?ProductID=10755

Dragon. Mugaku Zesshu 1709-1795 (Soto sect) www.bachmanneckenstein.com/objects/calligraphy/sold/1908/index...

Dragon. Nyoren 19th century (Soto sect) www.robynbuntin.com/ItemDetail.asp?ProductID=14604

Dragon. Yamada Mumon 1900-1988 (Rinzai sect) http://www.collectorsnet.com/Erik-Thomsen-Asian-Art/Sroll-Painting-CalligraphyDragon/

Mugaku Bun'eki (Seki Mugaku) 1818-1897 (Rinzai sect) http://visipix.dynalias.com/cgibin/view?userid=1059555991&q=r%5C^2.*&n=68&p=4&l=en&u=2&ub=1&k=1

Hakuin Ekaku 16851768 (Rinzai sect) scootsadventures.wordpress.com/author/scootsadventures/

Yamaoka Tesshu 18361888 (swordsman) http://www.asianart.com/BachmannEckenstein/d11340.html

Nantembo Nakahara 1839-1925 (Rinzai sect) http://visipix.dynalias.com/cgibin/view?userid=1059555991&q=r%5C^2.*&n=60&p=3&l=en&u=2&ub=1&k=1

The east mountain walks on water. Katsuzen Toukai 1871-1945 (Rinzai sect) http://shogaya.com/indexe.html

Seki Seisetsu 1877 - 1945 (Rinzai sect) http://visipix.dynalias.com/cgibin/view?s=5&userid=1059555991&q=r%5C%5E2.*&u=2&k=1&l=en&n=57

Harmony is motionless. (Seki) Bokuou Sou'un 1903-1991 (Rinzai sect) http://shogaya.com/indexe.html

Nantembo Nakahara 1839-1925 (Rinzai sect) www.zen-zen0.com/items/457831/item457831zenzen.html

Nantembo Nakahara and Kanshu Sojun (Izawa Deiryu) http://www.zen-zen0.com/items/1075567/enlargement1075567zenzen.html

Ox Enso and detail. Takeda Mokurai 1854-1930 (Rinzai sect) www.the-kura.com/items/1142029/item1142029store.html

No, Nothingness. (Aso) Toei Jikan 1848-1920 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8703.html

Daruma. (Seki) Bokuou Sou'un 1903-1991 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8747.html

If you are the person who has a pure mind, even a cloud attracts your emotion. (Ashikaga) Shizan Eon 1859-1959 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8894.html

Pure wind, bright moon. Yamada Mumon 1900-1988 (Rinzai sect) http://www.kobijutsu.net/ja/special/90/PA010002.JPG

The cloud of the [Buddhist] Law reaches the pinnacle (right) and Buddhist wisdom lights the world (left). Etsuzan Doshu 16291709 born in China (Obaku sect) m.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/work/42.2003.a-b/

These works embrace paradox on many levels. Hisamatsu Shinichi has tried to characterize Zen art using seven properties: Asymmetry. Simplicity (complexity emerges unbidden - the whole is more than the sum of its parts - for complex does not mean complicated). Austere sublimity (finished before it is begun). Naturalness (showing no compulsion). Latency or subtle profoundness (much in little). Freedom (indifference to contradictions, not subservient to an ideology; rules should enable, not restrict). Inner quietness.

Against one theory. Hisamatsu Shinichi 1889-1980 (philosopher, Zen Buddhist scholar, tea ceremony master) http://www.nagaragawagarou.com/ikukan-13.htm

No, Nothingness. Hisamatsu Shinichi 1889-1980 (philosopher, Zen Buddhist scholar, tea ceremony master) kunsttext.blogspot.com/2011/12/tief-leben.html

One. Inzan Ien 17511814 (Rinzai sect) http://www.manyoancollection.org/collection/works/detail/587/732/

Understanding tea ceremony is to understand Zen spirit. Dohon 1765 - ? (Shingon sect) jyuluck-do.com/sp70189.html

Tea scoop named Fragments of Clouds. Fukushima Keido 1933-2011 (Rinzai sect) http://www.morikami.org/clientuploads/_photos/_32/_605.jpg

Fukushima Keido performing a calligraphy demonstration http://johndanversart.co.uk/versions/003/wpcontent/uploads/2012/03/Fukushima-Keido-Mu-1989-J.jpg

Sake cup. Nantembo Nakahara 1839-1925 (Rinzai sect) www.the-kura.com/catalog/Archives:Regional_Art190.html

Origami master Kosho Uchiyama 1912-1998 (Soto sect) http://www.flickr.com/photos/eggorigami/169630877/sizes/z/in/photostream/

Cherry flowers. Kyukosai (Shoo Sosa) 1818-1860 (tea ceremony master) http://galerie-kirbach.de/?Seite=9&lang=de&nr=W173

(Seki) Bokuou Sou'un 1903-1991 (Rinzai sect) http://img.artknowledgenews.com/files2011oct/Seki-Bokuo-Monkey.jpg

Lotus tea bowl. Yamamoto Gempo 18661961 (Rinzai sect) http://zenpaintings.com/artist-gempo.htm

Screen. Soen Nakagawa 1907-1984 (Rinzai sect) http://www.soennakagawaroshi.com/SoenPage_168.html

Mind Enso. Sugimoto Hikaru 20th century (artist) robynbuntin.com/ItemDetail.asp?ProductID=11034

No, Nothingness. (Shaku) Kogaku Soen 1859-1919 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8994.html

Set of ten color lithographs and ten calligraphic inscriptions in a signed kiriwood box, limited edition of only ten, created for a select group of only ten people. Shimizu Kosho 1911-1999 (Kegon sect, studied Zen with Seki Seisetsu) http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/11343153_japanese-print-folio-shimizukosho

Set of ten color lithographs and ten calligraphic inscriptions in a signed kiriwood box, limited edition of only ten, created for a select group of only ten people. Shimizu Kosho 1911-1999 (Kegon sect, studied Zen with Seki Seisetsu) http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/11343153_japanese-print-folio-shimizukosho

Seki Seisetsu 1877 - 1945 (Rinzai sect) http://www.bachmanneckenstein.com/exhibitions/past/2004/Cool_Winds_Fan_Pa intings_from_China_and_Japan/pictures/961-1%20(Large).JPG

Orchids. Seki Seisetsu 1877 - 1945 (Rinzai sect) www.robynbuntin.com/ItemDetail.asp?ProductID=13640

Torei Enji 17211792 (Rinzai sect) www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/work/228.1996/

Plum tree. Shiseki Renshu 1842-1914 (Obaku sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8533.html

Enso. Not One Thing. Anonymous http://www.zengalerie.de/html/enso_1.html

No self. Issen? http://www.zengalerie.de/html/muga.html

Tea scoop named Forever Friend. Torin Ozeki (Soen) b 1932 (Rinzai sect) http://www.rikyucha.com/item/list3/58271/

Zen Staff and detail. Nantembo Nakahara 1839-1925 (Rinzai sect) www.trocadero.com/Kris/items/1099698/en5.html

Yamamoto Gempo 1866-1961 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/r08780yg.jpg

Bamboo. Yamada Mumon 1900-1988 (Rinzai sect) http://www.scholten-japanese-art.com/images/sacred/sacred10.jpg

Kanshu Sojun (Izawa Deiryu) 1895-1954 (Rinzai sect) http://www.asianart.com/BachmannEckenstein/large/2025-2.jpg

Dream. Yamada Mumon 1900-1988 (Rinzai sect) www.trocadero.com/directory/Vintage_Arts:Regional_Art:Asian:Ja...

Kasumi Bunsho 1905-1998 (Rinzai sect) http://www.asianart.com/BachmannEckenstein/large/1996-2_(Large).jpg

Dragon. Kanshu Sojun (Izawa Deiryu) 1895-1954 (Rinzai sect) http://zenpaintings.com/images/deiryu-single.jpg

Hakuin Ekaku 16851768 (Rinzai sect) http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-u_bzj6FqJ0/TgXccgkqayI/AAAAAAAAAJk/CGC47vktVaE/s1600/hakuin+daruma_0002_000 2.jpg

Suio Genro 1716-1789 arttattler.com/archivejapaneseinkpaintings.html

Yamamoto Gempo 1866-1961 (Rinzai sect) http://www.manyoancollection.org/collection/works/detail/635/794/

Tea. Sengai Gibon 1750 - 1837 (Rinzai sect) https://picasaweb.google.com/112903412228597938783/Sengai?noredirect=1#

Shinetsu Kochui (Chinese: Xinyue Xingchou) 1639-1696 born in China (Soto sect) http://visipix.dynalias.com/cgibin/view?s=5&userid=351351883&q=%272aAuthors/S/Shinetsu%2016391696%2C%20%2C%20Japan%27&u=2&k=0&l=de&n=1

One Drop of Sgenjis Water. Shd Harada (Rinzai sect) http://morikami.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/45.jpg

No, Nothingness. Anonymous http://visipix.dynalias.com/cgibin/view?userid=1059555991&q=r%5C^2.*&n=58&p=3&l=en&u=2&ub=1&k=1

Mugaku Guzen 1733-1829 (Soto sect) http://www.hotei-japanese-prints.com/new/imageupload/images/painting-1129.jpg

No, Nothingness. Anonymous http://visipix.dynalias.com/cgibin/view?userid=1059555991&q=r%5C^2.*&n=69&p=4&l=en&u=2&ub=1&k=1

Shinetsu Kochui (Chinese: Xinyue Xingchou) 1639-1696 born in China (Soto sect) http://visipix.dynalias.com/cgibin/view?userid=1059555991&q=r%5C^2.*&n=55&p=3&l=en&u=2&ub=1&k=1

No action. Torin Ozeki (Soen) b 1932 (Rinzai sect) http://brucekennedyphotos.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v37/p555237672-3.jpg

Gate/barrier. Nakahara Nantembo 1839-1925 (Rinzai sect) http://www.zen-zen0.com/items/457831/enlargement457831zenzen.html

Enso with poem and detail: Ah, the round light/. You should admire it!/ Since in this world/ even the moon/ cycles through full and slender phases. Daiko Sogen 1772-1860 (Rinzai sect) http://www.asianart.com/BachmannEckenstein/d13103.html

Sengai Gibon 1750 - 1837 (Rinzai sect) www.neh.gov/humanities/2009/marchapril/feature/outside-the-frame

Enso: eat this and have a cup of tea. (Ashikaga) Shizan Eon 18591959 (Rinzai sect) http://brucekennedyphotos.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v1/p807556351-3.jpg

Zen staff. Rozan Eko 18651944 (Rinzai sect) zenpaintings.com/artist-rozan.htm

Obaku Dokuryu Shoeki (Chinese: Tu-li, or Duliu Xingyi) 15961672 born in China (Obaku sect) www.japanesescreens.com/items/6687_6687_A_paper_kakemono_hangi...

Sengai Gibon 1750 - 1837 (Rinzai sect) http://www.gitter-yelen.org/collection/works/detail/6/19/

Yamamoto Gempo 1866-1961 (Rinzai sect) http://shogaya.com/indexe.html

Zen art can be analyzed, it can be described, it can be sensed but it is a vague image with no substance until it is experienced: the path of words has been cut out.

Not one sentence/text. Anonymous http://www.zengalerie.de/html/mu_ichi_mon.html

I will conclude with Muso Sosekis satori poem, Muso Soseki was a Rinzai sect Zen teacher, poet, calligrapher and designer of Zen gardens. The poem was translated by W.S.Merwin : Year after year I dug in the earth looking for the blue of heaven only to feel the pile of dirt choking me until once in the dead of night I tripped on a broken brick and kicked it into the air and saw that without a thought I had smashed the bones of the empty sky

Hoe. Nakahara Nantembo 1839-1925 (Rinzai sect) collectionsonline.lacma.org/mwebcgi/mweb.exe?request=record&id...

Skull with poem: Had I not been born,/I need not die,/But since Ive been born to die,/I will. Takahashi Deishu 1835 - 1903 (spearman) http://www.nihontocraft.com/takahashi_deishu.jpg

Enso. Renshabo (Jiro Naozane, a high ranking samurai and confidant of Minamoto no Yoritomo, disciple of Honen Jonin in Kurodani, Kyoto) Kamakura period (Jodo sect) http://www.trocadero.com/thekura/items/169072/en1.html

A true heart is clean -- bright -- honor. Dokuzan Hashimoto 1869 -1938 (Rinzai sect) http://shogaya.com/indexe.html

When I see water, I learn the meaning of Zen. Signed: Kaiseki Donin painted. Shunan Joju (pen name: Shunan-sanjin, Kaiseki) 1711-1767 (Obaku sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/6609.html

Yamaoka Tesshu 18361888 (swordsman) www.the-kura.com/catalog/query.php?category=Archives%3ARegiona...

Pure wind, bright moon. Yamada Mumon 1900-1988 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8772.html

Taido Soto 19th century http://www.unannoadarte.it/giappone/eng/img/argenti/1.jpg

I put my faith in Amitabha Buddha. (Namu Amidabutsu). Soen Nakagawa 1907-1984 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8174.html

Patience bag. Yamamoto Gempo 1866-1961 (Rinzai sect) http://brucekennedyphotos.zenfolio.com/img/s11/v27/p222647525-3.jpg

Enso. All creatures are chained. Shinden Inaba 1906 - 1986 (Rinzai sect) jyuluck-do.com/sp70192.html

Longevity. I will live to be 99 years old. (To be continued, you will be 100years old). Yamada Mumon 1900-1988 (Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8762.html

The scent of flowers comes in by the wind. Signed: painted by China Jikuan. Jikuan Join 1696-1756 born in China (Obaku sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8479.html

We can feel the incoming of spring in the forest or flowers. Kacho Bunshu 1740-1827 (Obaku sect) http://www.jikyu-an.com/9007.html

Yamada Mumon 1900-1988 (Rinzai sect) http://www.trocadero.com/Shippodo/items/1147987/en1store.html

Buddha Mind. Stefan Arteni (Geizan)

No action. Stefan Arteni (Geizan)

The man who is free from desire is truly great. Signed: painted by Goten. Goten Dokai 1814-1891(Rinzai sect) http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/org/jikyu-an/8911.html Notes 1. On the origin of marks that forked both into art and writing see: http://www.scribd.com/collections/2802580/Stefan-Arteni-Writing-SystemsArt-Communication See also: http://www.scribd.com/stefan%20arteni/d/94982835-StefanArteniJapaneseBuddhism-CalligraphyAndArt 2. http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/S/SosekiMuso/TokinoGeSato.htm

Emptiness. Miyamoto Musashi 17th century (swordsman) https://picasaweb.google.com/112903412228597938783/Musashi?noredirect=1#