One Line Calligraphy, Daisen Gishun

Artwork Overview

Daisen Gishun, One Line Calligraphy
Daisen Gishun, One Line Calligraphy
Daisen Gishun
One Line Calligraphy
1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
One Line Calligraphy, 1700s, Edo period (1600–1868)
Where object was made: Japan
Material/technique: paper; ink
Credit line: Gift of Elsie Anna Wilson Trust
Accession number: 1994.0114
Not on display
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Label texts

Exhibition Label:
Asian Gallery, Spring 2003, Youmi Efurd
Daisen was the 356th abbot of the great Zen temple Daitoku-ji in Kyoto between 1752 and 1762. Little is known about him. Since Zen monks of all periods created enormous quantities of calligraphy, it is not unusual to come across their calligraphy.
This five-character phrase cannot be explained in few words, as it contains a key for resolving the fundamental conception of Zen.

One simple laughter.
Then mountain ranges would be green hue afresh.

“Laughter” indicates the spiritual awakening, and “mountain ranges” represent the universe or life.

Exhibitions

Teaching Gallery: The Tea Ceremony
Kris Ercums, curator
2014