Gourd, Nakahara Nantenbō

Artwork Overview

Nakahara Nantenbō, Gourd
Nakahara Nantenbō, Gourd
Nakahara Nantenbō
Gourd
late 1800s–early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912) or Taisho period (1912–1926)
Nakahara Nantenbō
1839–1925
Gourd, late 1800s–early 1900s, Meiji period (1868–1912) or Taisho period (1912–1926)
Where object was made: Japan
Material/technique: ink; paper
Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 1994 x 456 mm
Object Height/Width (Height x Width): 78 1/2 x 17 15/16 in
Credit line: Gift of Belinda Sweet
Accession number: 1990.0096
Not on display
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Exhibition Label: Asian Gallery, Spring 2003, Youmi Efurd A son of a samurai family of Hizen province, Nantembō entered the Rinzai Zen temple as a young man. Keen in intellect, he was also known for his charity and became one of the most famous figures of the modern Rinzai sect. The name “Nantembō” is derived from the staff (bō) from the nandina tree (Japanese: Nanten), which was used to discipline disciples. The gourd’s body is used as a flask to hold water or sake. From the Zen point of view, however, a hollow gourd serves to illustrate the parable of emptiness and truth: The seeds of truth should first be sought within one’s self before looking elsewhere.